2021 BMW M5

The M5 has got the ability to make you feel your seating posture even lower when you go around the corners at such a monstrous speed experiencing hell a lot of G-Force on your corporeal. Honestly, it is like a dual-headed monster. The 2021 BMW M5 rivals the likes of Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 S, Audi RS 7, and Porsche Panamera GTS.

The 2021 BMW M5 is available in two trims, Standard and Competition, priced at $103,500 and $111,100 respectively. The standard M5 produces 600hp, while the M5 Competition gets a surge of an extra 17 hp of power. The base trim gets M-specific integral-V multi-link aluminum rear suspension along with the Dynamic Damper Control that improves the handling perspective. The Competition tends to get BMW TeleServices and the Live Cockpit Professional features embedded into it. Both the trim has got the beauty of Merino Leather Upholstery as a standard with different stitching stylings.

The M5 has been given the 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and M-specific Head-up Display for an extraterrestrial experience. In addition to that, it gets Dynamic Cruise Control, Dynamic Brake Control, and xDrive for safe hauling with maximum consistency. The Active M Differential takes care of the variable torque distribution at all the wheels as per requirement and feedback.

Which Trim should you buy?

Competition is a more track-focused and faster version of the already insanely fast M5 and is for those who want a little extra. For daily use, we would recommend going for the standard M5 as it gets a more comfortable suspension and is easier to drive along with a decent power curve. But if you want the best for yourself and are ready to trade comfort and practicality with sheer power, then the Competition trim is the one for you.

The heart of the 2021 BMW M5 is a 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 which is capable of producing 600 hp at 5700 rpm and 553 lb-ft at 4000 rpm. This might not be the most powerful engine if we compare it to the competition, but at a significantly lesser cost, this is the best-valued money offering. It is paired to an 8-speed M Sport Automatic Transmission which has been mated to the xDrive all-wheel-drive system that gives an exceptional grip without any wheel slippage.

The V8 and 8-speed torque converter duo on the M5 can propel the car from zero to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and we are pretty sure these figures are understated as well. So despite being less powerful than the AMG E 63 S, the Beemer is still faster. One of the significant reasons for the same is its carbon fiber-reinforced-plastic panels and an overall lightweight frame because of which it gets the momentum within a fraction of a second.

How well does the 2021 BMW M5 handle?

One thing that the new BMW M5 has always been famous for is the way it handles. Lightness with xDrive and M-Active Differential, one can go around the corner very easily. The drive layouts can be changed along with the modes. Therefore, it is more a matter of subjectivity and what the driver prefers. It is true that the suspension gets stiffer for sportiness but can be softened if comfort is the priority.

On top of that, M-developed electric power steering with Servotronic has been given the prowess to have proper road feedback through the wheels and aids at the driver inputs. This in linearity with the Adaptive Dynamic allows you to have a lower body leaning on the cornering axles which also tend to reduce the anti-roll bars pressure. Hence a top-notch control with a great bite at the brake rotor gives a decent control altogether.

2021 BMW M5 Braking Performance

As standard, the M5 comes with 15.6-inch discs at the front and 15-inch discs at the rear. As an optional extra, carbon-ceramic brakes are available which bites better and also saves on 51 lbs of unsprung mass. This is further assisted by a group of high-tech-ends like the Cornering Brake Control, Brake Stand-by features, and the M Compound 4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc braking system. The overall unit seems to be very much efficient to deliver a desirable performance at a time of uncertainty. 

We are not really sure about how much faster the reduced weight will make the 2021 M5 stop but we can speculate that it is going to be pretty much within the limit. As far as rivals are concerned, it comes as no surprise that the aerodynamically superior RS 7 stops from 60-0 MPH within 100 feet which sets the benchmark for others. Moreover, the Audi RS7 tends to get one of the biggest rotors as well that go hand in hand with this braking figure. 

This is something the owners of BMW M5 won’t care much about as being a sports sedan it is very much understandable that the car isn’t going to be very fuel-efficient with its trade-off for the power band curve. But still, just for the record, the car gets you 15mpg in the city, 21mpg on the highway, and 17mpg combined. And the 20.1 gallons of fuel tank gives it a combined range of 342 miles which could have been improved. Moreover, the twin-turbo might take you away from turbo-lagging but does seem to do any further in fuel economy.

Now if we compare the fuel economy of the M5 with that of the competition, it is considerably lower than all of the other cars. The Panamera GTS has comparable mileage but higher fuel tank capacity makes it more practical than the M5 with its higher range. But this is altogether a domain of little relevance for this segment and should not be given much consideration for directing one’s decision.

BMW designs some of the best-looking cabins in the business. It is pretty much expected that the interior of the M5 is also going to be a luxurious one. So the whole layout of the cabin is typical BMW and that is not something we are really a fan of. The steering wheel is an M sport one that has a leather-wrapped touch. Merino Leatherette in different accents which include Aragon Brown, Silverstone, and Tartufo which can be availed of with some extra shelling. Further adding to that, it gets the M5 logo-based M Multi-contour front seats. 

The M5 comes with a trunk volume of 14.3 cu-ft. which is yet again not a lot but one should not forget that it is not meant for utilitarian purposes. It significantly lags behind the Audi RS 7 by some 12 cu-ft. As it is evident that it has got decent spacing at the front and rear compared to its counterparts which give you the freedom to stretch the limbs all around. The 5-seater is pretty flexible in its cabin realm with its 40-20-40 Folding setback seats as well. Therefore, it has got the required figures as per its segment.

Standout interior features:

• Leather-wrapped M-Sport steering wheel
• Merino leatherette
• M Sports seats
• Active charcoal filtration
• Automatic climate control

What’s there inside the 2021 BMW M5 to keep you entertained?

The BMW M5 gets an updated 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen unit which runs BMW’s proprietary iDrive system along with the BMW ConnectedDrive Services. On top of that, one can get the privilege to experience the Real-Time Traffic Information and On-Street Parking Information which comes in the Connected Package.

There have been other increments as well which can be associated with the BMW Connected App, BMW TeleServices, and the 16-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound Audio System. This does end here as the M5 has the opportunity to showcase its egoism with the BMW Remote Services including Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Remote Software Upgrade Capability. Standout infotainment features:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Wireless phone connectivity
• 16 Harman/Kardon speaker system
• Apple Carplay
• Wi-Fi Hotspot

BMW has worked extensively on updating the M5 for the year 2021. Earlier the car used to look a bit curvy so the idea was to make the car edgier and sharper to look at. So the very first thing that makes sense is to flatten the curves and make way for lines. The stark difference can be traced by the high-sized iconic kidney grilles which sit on the front fascia along with the 19” or 20” M-Light Alloy Wheels on the sides. There have been 11 color coatings that have been added in the bin for it among which Marina Bay Blue, Frozen Bluestone, and Alvite Grey are a few to name.

The M5 does look a lot smarter and sharper than it used to be, but still, it lacks the visual drama of an RS7. Going by the spec sheet, the M5 is the lightest with the longest wheelbase which together compensates for the body leaning and swaying at the cornering wheels. The ground clearance has been kept at 5.2” which is standard for the sedan. All the competitors are surprisingly parallel to one another in this specific criterion. Standout exterior features:

• Signature kidney grille
• 19" Machined-Aluminum Wheels
• Shadowline Exterior trim
• M Sports tuned suspension

The BMW M5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS yet. We don't think it will ever be, for it is produced in limited quantities and too expensive to be smashed against a wall to prove a point that it indeed is a safe car. But based on the 5-Series which received good ratings, we expect the M5 trim to perform similar, if not better.

To concrete its status of premium class, it has been given the advanced safety features pack which includes the Lane keep assist with Lane departure warning, Forward collision warning, and the Automatic emergency braking. There can be little hesitance one can ever have with an offering of Blind-spot monitoring and Rear cross-traffic alert along with the aforementioned beauties. Standout safety features:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert

2021 BMW M5 Vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

In terms of performance, the BMW surpasses the Mercedes-Benz easily despite the AMG E63 S being the most powerful on paper. However, the AMG E63 S offers a better fuel economy. AMG E63 S costs almost $4,000 more than the M5 but it is definitely worth it. As mentioned earlier, both have similar handling dynamic abilities and practical approaches. So, one can give preference to any one of these as both fulfill the desire of this segment. 

2021 BMW M5 Vs 2021 Audi RS 7

The Audi RS 7 is more expensive than the M5 but when it comes to performance, the RS 7 is a league of its own. Combine that with the renowned Quattro AWD tech, you can cut through those corners with ease. Moreover, RS7 gets a sweet exhaust note that is soothing to the ears. It is true that BMW has a slightly better performance but the Audi RS7 has a better range meaning one can have the same exhilarating pace for a longer time interval. The choice becomes a matter of one’s own preference as both are level with each other.

2021 BMW M5 Vs 2021 Porsche Panamera GTS

The 2021 Porsche Panamera GTS comes a little bit more expensive than the 2021 BMW M5. Porsche being Porsche offers incredible performance thanks to its aerodynamically optimized chassis and refined suspension setup. BMW can't match the agility and cornering performance of Porsche. Between the two, you can always brag about owning a Porsche.

Yes. We definitely recommend you to buy one. The BMW M5 is one of the best performance cars money can buy. Opt for the Competition trim and it unlocks more power and torque on tap with the Shadowline Package. And add M-Driver’s Package, it unlocks the speed governor with extreme agility at its service. The interior feels typical BMW and there is nothing extraordinary you get for spending 100 grand but this car is all about performance and setting the tracks ablaze rather than comfort.