Overview

What's New for 2021

The BMW M5 comes in one standard trim, although there is a comprehensive Competition package that adds a long list of upgrades.

Standard

Starting at $104,495, the M5 gets 19-inch wheels, dynamic damper control, M Compound brakes with vented discs and six-piston front calipers, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a rear spoiler, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, a head-up display, and Merino leather. The infotainment system consists of SiriusXM satellite radio; a 464-watt, 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo; navigation; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; wireless phone charging; and a three-month trial of a 3GB Wi-Fi hotspot.

For an even higher level of performance, there's the optional Competition package ($7,600) that adds 20-inch forged wheels, an M Sport exhaust system, firmer front and rear springs, firmer engine mounts, fully recalibrated damper control system, Track Mode selectability, 17 more horsepower, extended Shadowline trim and lights, and M seatbelts.

Additional options are carbon-ceramic brakes ($8,500) and a $2,500 BMW Driver's Package, which includes a day of instruction at a BMW high-performance center.

The BMW M5 comes standard with a 600-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard M5 hits 60 mph from a standstill in 3.2 seconds, according to BMW, while the Competition version shaves 0.1 second off that time thanks to its extra 17 hp. How does that sort of power feel behind the wheel? The torque pull coming out of corners, or from a standstill, is so strong that it feels like being yanked by the scruff of the neck. Even half-throttle will send you past multiple cars on the highway. And it sounds fantastic, too.

Steering control and turn-in are precise, and there is seemingly endless traction on long, sweeping corners. The M5 has excellent sight lines even though the A-pillars are as thick as I-beams.

One drawback is the brakes, as they feel wooden and don't provide accurate feedback, even when you dive really deep into the brake pedal throw. That might just be the way BMW's carbon-ceramic brakes feel, though.

To be nice about it, the suspension is very interactive and engaging. The M5 is definitely a driver's car, with no "off" button for when you're carrying kids or your business partner. It can be a lumpy, lurching, jolting ride over anything but smooth pavement, especially in the more aggressive suspension settings. That said, the Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S (/overview/mercedes-benz/e-class/) has many similar ride issues, while the Audi RS 7 sacrifices some top-end performance for a more compliant ride.

The BMW M5 has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in any of its model years. However, (IIHS) has tested the standard 5 Series sedan, giving it a "Good" rating in base trim and "Superior" with optional equipment.

The M5 comes standard with lane-departure warning, forward-collision and pedestrian warning, city collision mitigation, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear-end collision warning, automatic high beams, and park distance control.

To further help in case of an accident, BMW's standard Active Protection System prepares for impact by automatically pretensioning safety belts and closing the windows and moonroof. After a crash, the M5 also has an "impact sensor" that disconnects the alternator, fuel pump, and starter from the battery; automatically unlocks all doors; and turns on hazard and interior lights. In the instant after the crash, the car automatically applies the brakes to limit follow-on collisions.

The "back-up assistant" works wonders if you live with a narrow, twisting driveway or need to extricate yourself from a tricky parking space. Just activate the assistant on the way in, and the car automatically reverses your inputs on the way out.

Optional safety features on the M5 include the Driving Assistance Professional package, which adds front cross-traffic alert, a smart cruise control system that includes stop-and-go assist in freeway traffic, as well as one of the industry's most accurate lane-keeping assist functions with side collision avoidance. There's even a system to guide your BMW to the shoulder and stop it in case of a medical emergency.

This contest comes down to brand adoration as much as anything. If you are a Porschephile and need a sedan, the Porsche Panamera will give you all the four-door thrills Stuttgart can muster — in seemingly endless levels of performance. And those who adore the three-pointed star will find the Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S 4Matic Plus ready to tackle the Nurburgring while also blasting across three states at a stretch. The clinical and technical Audi RS 7 is a bit of an oddball, being a hatchback instead of a four-door, but it delivers a softer ride with barely discernible less performance. However, if you want the all-rounder — eyeball-bursting acceleration, spine-twisting cornering, abdomen-squishing brakes, plus endless customizable menus in the infotainment scene — the BMW M5 is a top choice.

BMW M5 vs. Audi RS 7

BMW M5 vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

BMW M5 vs. Porsche Panamera