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e Best of Both Worlds O ccasionally, people ask me what's the best vehicle for their needs. Sometimes, the question comes without a few essential considerations, including budget, family needs, and specific requirements — like driving not just to the beach, but on it. BMW's 550e can't possibly satisfy every desire, but it offers a remarkable combination of efficiency and performance. Here's an interesting scenario: Assume your heart is set on a super- quick sports sedan like BMW's M5, with its turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 along with an electric motor that combines to deliver 717 HP and 738 lb-ft of torque. at's enough oomph to reach 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds, but perhaps the M's $124,750 base price is above your budget. On the other hand, the 550e model starts at $73,400, reaches 60 in four seconds flat, and during my 200-mile travels, averaged 73.6 miles per gallon. To achieve that fuel frugality, I simply plugged the car in at night so my local driving chores were all electric with the BMW's 34 miles of battery range. And its smooth turbo 3.0-liter I-6 only fired up once on a 104-mile round trip drive to attend a business meeting. Since the new BMW M5 is also a plug-in hybrid, I'm betting that a strategic motorist could come close to my fuel economy boast in that growling M sedan. But with just 29 miles of EV range and average fuel economy of 13 MPG, that would take an intentional, less fun light touch on the throttle. And let's not forget that $51,350 difference in MSRP. BMW's new 550e is a smart looking sedan with ample room for five adults, or four in comfort for long trips. e Vegas Red Metallic exterior offered a dramatic contrast with the gloss black trim that replaced chrome ornamentation, and BMW's kidney grille sported an Iconic Glow, part of an M Sport decoration package. e rear of the 550e didn't display exhaust pipes — they were tucked away out of sight, perhaps to disguise this BMW as an electric model. And while the sweeping glass roof could warm the cabin when the detour transportation PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BMW BMW's 550e plug-in hybrid pairs sports-sedan performance with impressive efficiency BY BRIAN DOUGLAS ranchandcoast.com 118 OCTOBER 2026 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE