The ActiveHybrid 5 supplements a 3-liter inline six-cylinder -- the same found in the 535i -- with an electric motor that boosts output to a combined 335 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. With the help of an eight-speed automatic transmission, the ActiveHybrid 5 sprints to 60 mph in only 5.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 130 mph. If 130 mph isn't enough for you, the Sport Package ups the speed limiter to a stout 150 mph.
All of this performance is great, but you buy a hybrid to get better mileage, and the ActiveHybrid 5 disappoints in this category. It gets the same 30 mpg highway as the 535i, and its 23 mpg city only beats its non-hybrid sibling by three miles per gallon. This doesn't really justify the huge price gap between the two, but the ActiveHybrid 5 does have a few extra features, like navigation, BMW online services.
Fortunately for BMW, the ActiveHybrid 5 doesn't live in a very crowded market. This will change over time, but for now, BMW must only fend off the likes of the 2013 INFINITI M35h and 2013 Lexus GS 450h. The Bavarian automaker should hope, though, that buyers overlook the high-efficiency Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC.