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2021 BMW M5

Rating7.4

Ranked #15 in Midsize Sedan

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Starting MSRP 

$103,500 - $111,100

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Key Spec of 2021 BMW M5
fuel economy

15/17/21

fuel type

Premium unleaded (required)

horsepower

600 hp @ 6000 rpm

basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

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Old CarsBuild In & Price

2021 BMW M5 Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: May 4, 2022

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

A true-blue supercar in a practical sedan skin, the mighty 2021 BMW M5 is every bit as fast, engaging, and comfortable. Majorly updated for the year, the 2021 M5 gets a refreshed exterior styling, with 5 brand new colors joining the palette. On sale across showrooms, the M5 starts at a price of MSRP $103,500, while the M5 Competition will set you back by an MSRP of $111,100. On the performance front, powered by a 600 hp 4.4L twin-turbo V8, the M5 is able to sprint from 0-60 MPH in just 3.2 seconds.

2021 BMW M5 hd wallpaper

Further changes to the tune of wireless Android Auto compatibility, and a new 12.3-inch infotainment unit adorn the M5 interior for this year. On opting for the Competition variant, apart from the increase in power figures, it also gets revised shock absorbers and damper tuning. The M5 Competition's interior further gets Merino Black and Midrand Beige leather upholstery as standard. Furthermore, the high-performance sedan from the BMW M division will also be getting a 627 hp M5 CS variant next year.

2021 BMW M5 Latest Updates

  • Apr' 26, 2022 : The Top 10 Fastest Midsize Sedans You Can Buy In 2022 Read More »
  • Apr' 26, 2022 : Which Is The Fastest BMW Car You Can Buy In 2022? Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Driver Selectable Mode

Launch control too fiddly to use

Exterior Design upgrade with 5 new shades

Potent engine on offer

Suspension is not very supportive

New 12.3-inch touchscreen Display

Impressive driving dynamics

Not very fuel-efficient

Wireless Android Auto compatibility

M5 Competition variant now gets revised shock absorbers and plenty of additional creature comforts

Over All Rating

7.4

Out of 10

Pricing and Features7.00
Features8.00
Engine and Performance7.50
Fuel Economy5.00
Interior8.50
Exterior6.50
Safety8.00
Competition6.00
Notable Rankings

#15 in Midsize Sedan

#17 in Sedan

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2021 BMW M5 Top View
2021 BMW M5 Front View
2021 BMW M5 Left Side View
2021 BMW M5 Three Quarter View
2021 BMW M5 Front Angle View
2021 BMW M5 exterior

Trims

Base$103,500 onwards

  • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
  • Heated Front Seats
  • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
Build Car

Competition$111,100 onwards

Build Car

Colors and Styles

2021 BMW M5 in Almandine Brown Metallic color
Almandine Brown Metallic

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

The BMW M5 is a name that is very close to the heart of every purist and enthusiast. Not a lot of cars have earned that status that the BMW M5 has got in a rather very short span. For 2021, however, BMW brings about further an array of changes to the lineup, so as to yet make it stand atop the performance sedan segment. On the exterior front, BMW introduces a larger grille and restyled front and rear bumpers to the 2021 M5.

2021 BMW M5 front-angled hd wallpaper

Furthermore, the powertrain on offer is the same, with a 600 hp V8 at the helm, while the M5 Competition puts out 617 hp. Balance that with an impressive track-day capability and driving dynamics, and the M5 is certainly the M division offering to go for. The 2021 BMW M5 rivals the likes of Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S, and the Audi RS 7.

2021 BMW M5 Sedan front view
2021 BMW M5 Sedan rear view
Buying Advice

The Competition variant 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 BMW M5 Competition trim is the one for you.

Features
8.0/10

The 2021 BMW M5 is available in two trims, Standard and Competition, priced at $103,500 and $111,100 respectively. The standard M5 produces 600 hp, 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 trims have got the beauty of Merino Leather Upholstery as a standard with different stitching stylings.

Model

Base

Competition

MSRP(AWD)

$103,500 

$111,100

Key Features

Dynamic Damper Control

M Driving Dynamics Control
 

M-developed electric power steering with Servotronic

4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 with 627 hp
 

M-specific integral-V multi-link aluminum rear suspension

Electronically controlled engine cooling
 

16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system

Brake Energy Regeneration
 

Merino Leather Upholstery 

M Sport exhaust system
 

Wireless charging

BMW TeleServices

For 2021 however, the Competition models get new shock absorbers and damper-tuning, along with plenty of other creature comforts inside, for the hike in price. 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.

Engine and Performance
7.5/10

What lets the M5's driving experience down are the steering and a missing sense of ocassion - Motortrend

At 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 of torque. 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.

2021 BMW M5 sedan engine bay

The V8 and 8-speed torque converter duo on the 2021 M5 can propel the car from 0-60 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 E63 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.

2021 BMW M5 Sedan cruising hd wallpaper

One thing that the new BMW M5 has always been famous for is the way it handles. The drive layouts can be changed along with the modes. 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.

Models

2021 BMW M5

2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

2021 Audi RS 7

MSRP

$103,500

$107,350

$114,995

Engine

4.4L Twin-Turbocharged V8

4.0L Bi-Turbo V8

4.0L twin-turbo V8 with a 48-volt hybrid system

Drivetrain

AWD

AWD

AWD

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic

9-speed shiftable automatic

8-speed automatic gearbox

Power 

600 hp @ 5700 rpm

603 hp @ 5,750-6,500 rpm

591 hp @ 5,700 rpm

Torque 

553 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

627 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm

590 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm

0-60 MPH (secs)

3.2

3.3

3.5

Quarter Mile (secs)

11.0

11.1

11.2

Top Speed (MPH)

155

155

190

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.

2021 BMW M5 Specs>>

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The 2021 BMW M5 gets you 15 MPG in the city, 21 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG 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 take away in terms of fuel economy. 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.

Models

2021 BMW M5

2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

2021 Audi RS 7

MPG (City)

15 

15

14 

MPG (Highway)

21 

23

24

MPG (Combined)

17

18

19 

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

20.1 gallons

21.1 gallons

19.8 gallons

Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (miles)

301/422/342 miles

317/485/379 miles

277/475/376 miles

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 Mercedes AMG E63 S 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.

Interior
8.5/10

Although based on the normal 5-series and sharing an equally elegant interior, the mighty Bimmer is transformed by the company's high-performance M division - Car and Driver

BMW designs some of the best-looking cabins in the business. It is pretty much expected that the interior of the 2021 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.

2021 BMW M5 Sedan interior cockpit area hd wallpaper

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 gives 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.

 

Models

2021 BMW M5

2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

2021 Audi RS 7

Seating Capacity

5

5

4

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

40.7/58.7/41.4

37.3/57.8/41.7

36.9/ 57.2/ 41.3

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.5/55.9/36.5

38.0/57.1/36.2

36.6/ 55.9/ 37.0

Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)

14.3

13.1

26.3

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
Exterior
6.5/10

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.

​2021 BMW M5 Sedan exterior hd image
​  

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.

Models

2021 BMW M5

2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

2021 Audi RS 7

Curb weight (lbs.)

4,345

4,497

4,497

Length(in)

196.4

196.4

197.3

Width(in)

74.9

75.1

75.2

Height(in)

58.0

56.6

55.9

Wheelbase (in)

5.2

5.0

4.3

Ground clearance (in)

117.4

115.7

114.8

Standout exterior features:

  • Signature kidney grille
  • 19" Machined-Aluminum Wheels
  • Shadowline Exterior trim
  • Power trunk lid
  • Sports exhaust system

2021 BMW M5 Exterior Image Gallery>>

Safety
8.0/10

The 2021 BMW M5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS yet. 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.

Competition
6.0/10

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 Mercedes-AMG E63 S hd wallpaper

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 Audi RS 7 hd wallpaper
Final Verdict

Yes. We definitely recommend you to buy one. The 2021 BMW M5 is one of the best performance cars money can buy. Opt for the Competition trim as 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.

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$111100

body style

4dr Sedan

engine type
displacement

268 cu in

horse power

617 hp @ 6000 rpm

torque

553 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

transmission

8 speed Automatic

dimensions
length

62.8 in

wheelbase

117.4 in

width

74.9 in

curb weight

4370 lbs

Height

57.8 in

Ground Clearance

5.2 lbs

capacity
passenger volume

98.8 cu ft

cargo volume

18.7 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

14/16/20 mpg

warranty
basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2021 BMW M5 User Reviews

4.2

[40 Reviews]

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[75.0%] [30 Reviews]

5

[20.0%] [8 Reviews]

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Natalia Berry

2021 BMW M5

4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)

9

User Overall Rating

Posted On: May 19, 2022

It's all about performance.

Pros - Performance, Looks, Driving modes.

Cons - Not a thing.

State of the art German engineering. The BMW M5 is absolutely spot on when it comes to performance and driving pleasure. I thought that the power of my previous gen M5 was more than enough but my new M5 proved it wrong. The more the power, the more you get addicted. I have taken it for some track events and enjoyed driving it to bits. The driving modes, on the other hand, really change the drivin...

9/10
Features
9/10
Interior
10/10
Design
9/10
Safety
8/10
Reliability
9/10
Deal Value
9/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
OM

Owen McLean

2021 BMW M5

Competition 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)

8

User Overall Rating

Posted On: March 4, 2022

A sedan with wild to mild character

Pros - Prodigious thrust, commanding cockpit, excellent handling and ride comfort and a smooth shifting transmission.

Cons - Fussy user interface with too many drive mode settings.

The big boy toy When I went for a test drive in my M5, I was completely blown away by its blisteringly quick speeds and supremely adept handling. I guess because of its lower center of gravity, the M5 has an inherent advantage in terms of agility. This supercar hunter must be one of the quickest cars BMW has ever manufactured, all while keeping comfort, dependability, and elegance. Aside from the...

7/10
Features
5/10
Interior
8/10
Design
7/10
Safety
7/10
Reliability
4/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
DP

Dahlia Pace

2021 BMW M5

4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)

8

User Overall Rating

Posted On: January 13, 2022

Can take kids to school and also take pricks off the race track

Pros - Bold design, Insane acceleration, Family friendly too.

Cons - Stiff drive dynamics, Expensive.

Needs a heavy bank account My M5 even though not the most aggressive looking car has the appearance of a car that's ready to rip the road apart and it sure can as the acceleration is just bonkers. A car this performance oriented is surprisingly family friendly too and has a very premium and spacious cabin with comfortable seats. The M5 didn't come cheap as it burnt as $103,448 worth of a hole in ...

8/10
Features
8/10
Interior
8/10
Design
8/10
Safety
7/10
Reliability
7/10
Deal Value
7/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
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Top Cars

Top User Reviews

9/10

User

Rating

It's all about performance.

State of the art German engineering. The BMW M5 is absolute...

by Natalia Berry

8/10

User

Rating

A sedan with wild to mild character

The big boy toy When I went for a test drive in my M5, I wa...

by Owen McLean

8/10

User

Rating

Can take kids to school and also take pricks off the race track

Needs a heavy bank account My M5 even though not the most a...

by Dahlia Pace

9/10

User

Rating

Comes with more doors and more power

Not at all affordable but is a worthy package. This car has...

by Evan Glover

8/10

User

Rating

buy with care.

Wheel Alignment problem. It's an elegant sedan with Luxurio...

by Ian Phillips

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