2021 BMW M5

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 2021 BMW M5 Competition trim is the one for you.

The 2021 BMW M5 is available in two trims, Standard and Competition, priced at $105,495 and $112,095 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 to the bin for it among which Marina Bay Blue, Frozen Bluestone, and Alvite Grey are a few of the names.

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
• Power trunk lid
• Sports exhaust system

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.

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 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.

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.