Korea Automobile Journalists Association (KAJA) said on Jan. 7 that it selected BMW's upper midsize wagon "New M5 Touring" as the car of January 2026.
KAJA's car of the year selection committee evaluates new cars and facelift models released from the 1st to the last day of each month and releases the car of the month. The evaluation items consist of five categories: ▲ interior and exterior design and perceived quality ▲ safety and convenience features ▲ power performance ▲ energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions ▲ product value and purchase intent.
Among the new cars unveiled on the 7th, BMW New M5 Touring and Hyundai Motor "The New Staria" were nominated for the January car, and BMW New M5 Touring was finally selected with 35.7 points out of 50.
BMW New M5 Touring scored 8 out of 10 in the power performance category, and 7.7 in the interior and exterior design and perceived quality, and the safety and convenience features categories. It recorded 6.3 in the energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions category.
Selection committee chair Jeong Chi-yeon said, "BMW New M5 Touring is an ultra-high-performance touring model that combines the explosive driving performance of the M lineup with the space efficiency of a wagon," and added, "The maximum output of 727 horsepower achieved by combining the M TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine with an electric motor, the maximum torque of 101.9 kg·m (the force that turns the wheels), and acceleration from a standstill to 100 kph in 3.6 seconds collectively demonstrate the technological prowess of BMW M."