2018 BMW M5

The updated 2018 BMW M5 has an appeal to it, which is seldom found in such agile-handling sports sedans. Having said that, compared to the previous iteration, the latest M5 gets an adaptive suspension and an Active M differential to take on anything and everything that is thrown in its way. The 600 hp V8 coupled to the 8-Speed AT and standard AWD setup in the 2018 M5, lets it put down some awe-inspiring 0-60 MPH times. Apart from its engaging personality in terms of the performance front, the interior has also been set up in a bespoke manner, to provide its customer base with a luxurious setting along with the best-in-class tech found in no other rivals. The 2018 BMW M5 rivals the Audi RS7 and the Mercedes Benz AMG E63 S.

The 2018 BMW M5 comes in only one single feature-packed trim, that delivers on each and every front, one would look for in a midsize sports sedan. Priced at an MSRP of $102,600, the M5 Sedan has just one 4.4L V8 engine configuration, powering it through. Also now standard, is the AWD setup. Apart from the standard feature list provided, the 2018 M5 also gets plenty of package options, to configure your M5 to the best of your abilities. Making the most out of that M badge, the 2018 M5 certainly delivers sheer value for the price tag.

We recommend:

Well, there is only one trim to recommend, and for sure it is the best that BMW could have come up with. As there are not many options to look for in the sports sedan category, BMW has brought back a rehauled legend, that is for sure here to stay, for ions to come.

The 2018 M5 features crisp turn ins and feels right at home on a race track - Motortrend

2018 BMW M5 Engine and Transmission

The 2018 BMW M5 uses a 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8 engine that generates a massive 600 hp of power and 553 lb-ft of twisting torque. Refined a bit more for the year 2018, the M5 gets adequate power to take on any tasks at hand. Also available is a supremely efficient 8-speed automatic transmission unit, which transfers all of the said power to all the wheels. AWD is now standard.

The agile driving dynamics of the M5 is aided by the potent V8 engine unit quite well. having mentioned before, the M5 comes in a standard AWD setup, but this setup is unlike any other, as if wanted, the M5 can be put in full RWD mode, for some much-needed drifting sessions. The transmission as such is adequately responsive and is known to provide quick shifts, so as to put down the said power much more easily.

While drawing a comparison with its rivals, the BMW M5 falls short of the Mercedes Benz E63 S on the power front by a margin, especially on the torque front. Having said that, the M5 is much lighter than the Merc, and more than makes up for the deficiency in power. What the eM5 lacks in the power front, it more than makes up for it in the handling front.

2018 BMW M5 Acceleration:

The 2018 BMW M5 does the 0-60 MPH sprint in a blistering time of 3.0 seconds. This is supercar territory. This ravaging acceleration time is a courtesy of the famed and efficient 8-speed AT. The quick and smooth shifts help the M5 to put down the power in a much better manner in the lower rev band, which makes it the fastest sports sedan out there.

The quarter-mile comes up in just about 10.9 seconds. Impressive isn't it? It is followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S with 3.2 seconds, as even though it has better torque figures than the rest, the Merc is much heavier than the rest of the rivals, which robs it of its time. 

2018 BMW M5 Ride and Handling

The BMW lineup is known for its sporty and fun-to-drive demeanor and the 2018 M5 does not disappoint at all. It stays true to its "The Ultimate Driving Machine" tagline. The steering feedback is excellent, as the inputs are quite well received by the car. Despite the massive size, it isn't cumbersome at all to handle. In the all-wheel drive mode, it pounces into the slow turns and slithers into fastback corners. In the two-wheel-drive mode, it gets a little aggressive, as it won't let you out of the car, without burning some much-needed rubber. Moreover, despite the adaptive suspension setup, the M5 is a bit stiff. On the whole, it is a vehicle made to be teased at the turns and edges but even with its all-wheel mode or the astonishing torque on offer, the M5 feels a little heavier that it is.

2018 BMW M5 Braking:

The 2018 BMW M5 has 15.6-inch front brake rotors and 15-inch rear ones. This combined can bring the 2018 M5 to a complete dead stop from 60 MPH in just about 97 ft. Braking is one of the key aspects of the car and is closely related to safety in power packed cars and especially sport sedan cars such as M5. 

The brake pedal provides a smooth feel which is easy to manage and it gives one of the best results in its segment. The Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S comes last in the braking test, despite the heft it carries, and the decently proportioned brakes.

The 2018 BMW M5 is rated at 15 MPG in the city and 21 miles to the gallon out on the highway. Pair that with a 20.1-gallon fuel tank, and the 2018 M5 can stretch out to 480 miles on the run between fuel stops. Since the German marquee, BMW advertises the M5 as a sports sedan, despite its below-average economy in its class the M5 more than compensates for it in its power and handling sector.

The 2018 BMW M5 is placed at the bottom of the barrel with the Audi RS7, whereas the Merc E63 S, more than makes up for its performance disparity with the fuel economy figures.

Of course, the M5 is the same well-appointed luxury sedan as the regualar 5 Series. But whether there's enough luxury might be a question - Edmunds

2018 BMW M5 Seating and Comfort:

The 2018 BMW M5 is a four-door sports sedan, which invokes the ultimate luxury setting inside. Rehashed minorly on the interior aesthetic front, the passengers seated inside the M5 are treated with extreme levels of comfort. The well-bolstered seats provide you with adequate support when you take on fastback corners. They also come with standard heating and ventilating functions.

The M DIvision sport seats have over 20-way automated adjustability functions for the front seats. With a good eagle-eye view of the surroundings, the only niggle in the otherwise perfect car is the road noise that creeps into the cabin at times. All seating positions in the M5 have an ample amount of room. The seats are further draped in the best in business leather upholstery.

Some of the 2018 M5's interior features are:

• Tracker system
• Power door locks with an auto-lock system
• Instrument panel covered bin
• Systems monitor
• Heads-up display
• Cargo space lights
• Trunk/hatch auto-latch

Other optional features include:

• Navigation system
• Advanced real-time traffic information
• Smart device integration
• Redundant digital speedometer
• Outside temperature gauze
• Air filtration
• Front and rear map lights
• Ambient light setting

2018 BMW M5 Infotainment:

The 218 BMW M5 comes with an impressive 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with in-built navigation. The system comes with both voice activation and gesture controls. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard in the M5. The system has an iDrive technology that is one of the most intuitive systems in the segment. The menu is quite straightforward and quick to respond to commands.

The standard infotainment system consists of:

• 10.2-inch screen
• USB port
• Bluetooth
• HD Radio
• 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround-sound system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The optional upgrades include:

• Navigation
• Wireless charging for enabled smartphones
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Apple CarPlay
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Satellite radio
• 8.8-inch infotainment display

2018 BMW M5 Cargo Capacity:

The 2018 BMW M5 has a cargo capacity of 18.7 cu. ft. This puts it right in the middle of the sports sedan segment. The space can be further increased by split-folding the rear seats in a 40/20/40 manner. The trunk has a low cargo floor, for ease of loading and unloading of big items. It is a decently practical sports car.

Coming onto the cabin as well, the 2018 M5, has plenty of interior storage spaces, which is enough to store your personal belongings for that long weekend getaways. The cargo area also has enough lights for ease of loading. On the utility front, the Audi RS7, takes the win here, as it has a massive 24.5 cu. ft of cargo space.

The 2018 BMW M5 gets a minor revamp on the exterior front. The updated styling includes an even more aggressive front fascia, in comparison to the practical 5 Series sedan. It's sharper and edgier than before. The wider fender only adds to the character. The widely acclaimed nose grille connects both the updated LED headlights, to put up an immersive stance.

The rear end of the 2018 M5 also gets a couple of assertive tweaks, but in hindsight is not much different than the 5-Series sedan. There are enough chrome accents throughout the sports sedan. Although, what catches our attention the most, is the scintillating quad-exhaust layout with blacked-out exhaust tips. Coming onto the dimensions. the 2018 M5 is lighter now as compared to the previous iterations.

Some of the exterior features include:

• 19-inch M sport wheels
• Body-colored front and rear bumpers
• Black grille with chrome surround
• LED brake lights
• Fully automatic projector-beam LED lights
• Clearcoat paint
• Fixed rear window with defroster
• Power open and close trunk rear cargo access
• Power rear sunshade
• Soft-close doors

Performance aspect aside, the 2018 BMW M5 is certainly a practical and safe sports sedan. BMW does not mess about with passenger safety. As the M5 has not been tested by crash-test agencies, the 5-Series sedan, upon whose platform the M5 is based upon, gets respectable safety scores, such as the "Top Safety Pick+" honor from the IIHS. BMW also includes a Driver Assistance Plus package, for all the latest and greatest driver-assistance features needed.

Some of the latest safety features on offer are-

• Adaptive Brakelights
• Programmable LED Daytime Running Lights
• Front safety belts with automatic pretensioners
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Impact sensor that activates Battery Safety Terminal to disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; automatically unlocks doors, and turns on hazard and interior lights
• Lane Departure Warning
• Pedestrian Protection
• Active Blind Spot Detection and Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Automatic Emergency braking

2018 BMW M5 vs 2018 Audi RS7:

These two German stalwarts, having been going head-to-head for ages. The 2018 BMW M5 has a more powerful engine, and is faster than the RS7, by a few seconds. The AWD setup in the M5, also allows it to be a great handler. On the fuel efficiency front too, the M5 and the RS7 share the same spot on the podium.

Coming onto the interior front, the RS7, takes the cake here, with a practical yet sumptuous interior setup. Although the feature list is better in the M5. Moreover, the only other place where the RS7 beats out the M5 is on the exterior silhouette front.

2018 BMW M5 vs 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S:

The BMW and Merc sports sedans have gone head to head too many times to count now. While the Merc might be the more powerful car out of the two, but the M5 is the better performer in terms of acceleration times. The interior of the Merc is also a better place to be in, compared to the M5.

Whereas in terms of fuel efficiency, the Merc certainly stands out in this regard too. Having said all of this, the updated BMW M5 is also a bit better to look at, which makes it the best car out of the two.

The 2018 BMW M5 is a total package if you are a petrolhead looking for a sports sedan with plenty of power and grunt to go about, a sumptuous interior to get you comfortable inside, and the looks that could make any enthusiast weak in his/ her knees. A capable car as a whole, the M5 is frugal too. While there may be a few negatives, the BMW M5 will surely surpass your expectations.

More on BMW

• BMW updates the 2022 M5 CS with an even better feature list
• Check out the new rehashed 2022 BMW M440i Convertible