BMW is a brand known for its luxurious interiors and engaging driving experience, but the M performance line is where the German automaker truly struts its stuff. M, which stands for “Motorsport”, takes the driving experience to the next level with more powerful engines and aerodynamic designs. Interestingly, the M division saw the all-electric BMW i4 M50 continue to hold the title of top-selling model for a third year in a row.
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The BMW i4 M50 topped M division sales
The BMW i4 M50 first made its mark on the automotive industry for the 2022 model year. That same year, the all-electric sedan became the top-selling model of BMW’s M division.
Unfortunately, BMW doesn’t break down each model by numbers sold, but the German automaker did specify that the BMW i4 M50 was the best-selling model in the M division. This isn’t the first time, either. The i4 M50 has a history of outselling other BMW M models, with 2024 marking its third consecutive year holding the title.
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The 2025 BMW i4 M50 starts at $70,700 MSRP and boasts dual electric motors that generate 536 horsepower. That performance puts the i4 M50 at 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. On top of that, the i4 M50 can go up to 267 miles when equipped with 19-inch wheels. Upgrading to sportier 20-inch wheels brings the range down to 227 miles.
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BMW M sales broke 200,000 for the second year in a row
The BMW i4 M50 may have been the leader of the pack, but it was a good year for the entire M division. 2024 marked M’s best-ever year, with 206,582 vehicles sold. That’s a 2% increase over 2023 sales, where the M division saw 202,530 models sold.
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The i4 M50 Gran Coupe, starting at upwards of $70,000, currently stands as the entry-level model in BMW’s electrified M lineup. The price only goes up from there, with the XM Label, a high-end plug-in hybrid SUV, topping the lineup with a starting price of $186,700 MSRP.
ICE BMW M models saw massive growth
Electrified models weren’t the only vehicles in the M division that saw an increase in sales. Per Carscoops, the ICE-powered BMW M2 saw a 64% increase in sales, while M3 Touring sales jumped 57%. Overall, sales of high-performance M models rose 8% versus a 4% increase for the entire M division.
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Breaking into the gas-powered M division comes with a much lower price tag than the electrified lineup. The 2025 BMW M235 xDrive starts at $49,500 MSRP and boasts a more modest 312 horsepower and 60-mph time of 4.7 seconds.
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The story is similar at the top end of the ICE-powered lineup, with the BMW X7 M60i starting at $111,900 MSRP. That powerful SUV comes stocked with a 523-horsepower engine capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
If you want a high-performance M model, though, expect a higher price tag. The base M2 Coupe arrives with 453 horsepower, hits 60 mph in 3.9 seconds when equipped with an automatic transmission, and starts at $65,500 MSRP.
BMW
The BMW X6 M Coupe SUV tops the high-performance line with 617 horsepower. It can reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and starts at $132,100 MSRP.
Final thoughts
Featuring vehicles with plenty of power and an engaging driving experience at a fairly reasonable price tag, the M division has become a staple among performance enthusiasts. The fact that an EV topped the division’s sales three years in a row isn’t something to write off. In fact, if anything, it could reinforce BMW’s dedication to electrification over the next few years.
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