2021 BMW M5

Is the 2021 BMW M5 Right for You?

What Is It & Who Is It For?

The 2021 BMW M5 is a luxury midsize sport sedan and a whole lot more. It seats five in its upscale cabin, but passengers had better hold on: This Bimmer offers blistering acceleration, making the run from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and its taut suspension provides a firm, track-friendly ride. The M5 may have a subdued exterior, but beneath that shell beats the heart of a leopard.

What Makes It Unique?

Power, power, and more power. The M5’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 sets the bar for power output in this class.

M5 vs. Other BMWs

In BMW’s sport sedan lineup, the midsize M5 sits above the smaller and less expensive M2, M3, and M4, but below the larger, more expensive M8.

BMW M5 vs. Competition

The luxury midsize car class is well-stocked and highly competitive, but the M5 itself faces few direct competitors:

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class: The AMG model’s power and cabin comfort rival the M5’s, but it lags in athletic performance and cargo space.

• Audi S6: Less sporty than the M5, but has a gorgeous interior and better fuel economy.

• BMW 5 Series: M5 sibling with a lower price tag, but even so the M550i’s potent V8 puts down lots of horsepower.

Is the 2021 Model Year Right for You?

Changes for 2021

• Revised exterior, with new grille, updated bumpers, and improved headlights and taillights

• New 12.3-inch touchscreen

• Apple CarPlay now standard

2021 BMW M5 vs. Older M5s

BMW refreshed the M5 for the 2020 model year, but it hasn’t been fully redesigned since 2017. That means any M5 from 2017-2021 will look similar and have similar features, so you could save money by choosing a used M5.

You can find used BMW M5s with Carfax’s used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the M5 from other model years

Which 2021 BMW M5 Trim Is the Best Value?

Original starting price, including MSRP and destination charge:

• M5: $105,495

• M5 Competition: $112,095

We recommend the M5 Competition. If you’re going to drop this much on a car, you might as well go all out. The Competition makes 17 more horsepower, and it has a chassis set to get the best possible performance from your BMW.

Find a used BMW M5 Competition

The base M5 is no slouch, either; it’s as comfortable on a track as it is on the interstate.

2021 BMW M5 Safety Features

Key Standard Features

• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection: Warns drivers of a potential front-end collision and people in the road ahead.

• Automatic emergency braking: Helps vehicle avoid a collision or reduce the severity of a crash if the driver doesn’t respond in time.

• Blind spot warning: Alerts drivers when a vehicle is located next to them on either side, just out of view.

• Lane keeping assist: Uses the car’s steering system to help keep the vehicle between lane lines.

• Lane departure warning: Alerts drivers if they’re approaching or crossing a lane line.

• Rear cross-traffic alert: Warns drivers if the system detects a vehicle, pedestrian, or object in the way, or approaching from either side.