by Michael Butler
The 2021 BMW M5 has to be one of the most famous executive sports cars globally and enjoys a massive following in the US. This 4-door Ferrari hunter boasts a twin-turbo 4.4-liter 8-cylinder engine churning out 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, or 617 hp with the Competition package. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. We've always loved the M5, and the 2021 model is as good as ever. Conservative exterior styling changes have made the 2021 M5 creep closer to sleeper territory, but it is still brutally fast and highly capable. It doesn't hurt that it costs less than luxury midsize competitors such as the Audi RS7 and Mercedes-AMG E63. A new 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and refreshed exterior aesthetics keep it current with the moving times.
The 2021 BMW M5 midsize sports sedan enjoys a refresh for the new year. The exterior of this performance vehicle gets a more prominent grille, updated headlights, and taillights, and restyled front and rear bumpers. Besides some exterior paint color options, BMW also offers a high gloss black or red brake caliper option. Inside, the 2021 M5 features a new 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and Android Auto integration. Going fast in the M5 has also been made easier thanks to revised M Mode settings accessible via a single button. The Competition package now includes a new track drive mode, revised shock absorbers, a retuned suspension, and an entire Merino leather interior.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$103,500 |
| Competition Sedan |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$111,100 |
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
When it comes to performance sedans, few cars hold as much universal respect as the BMW M5. This supercar hunter has evolved into one of the fastest cars BMW has ever produced, all while maintaining a level of comfort, reliability, and luxury well above that of most hardcore performance machines. The 2021 model is more capable than ever thanks to a new track drive mode and revised shock absorbers, and it's easier to drive fast, too, due to simplified M Mode settings. Despite some exterior styling tweaks, we feel that the M5 fails to make as big an impression as rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, but its interior is still top-notch and offers lots of space and comfort. The M5 sedan may have now entered sleeper territory, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Considering the low price of the 2021 BMW M5 sedan, it has never looked more appealing. You'll have to trust the manufacturer about its safety rating, though, since there is no review of the 2021 BMW M5 from the NHTSA or IIHS.
The vanilla BMW M5 is already an insane machine and costs a pretty penny, but if you're seriously looking at one of these cars, then it means you've got some cash to spare. We'd recommend going straight for the hardcore Competition version. This $7,600 option adds darkened exterior trim, a louder M exhaust, and a retuned suspension setup to make the M5 more capable around the corners. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine also gets a kick up the pants and now produces a wild 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
The most popular competitors of 2021 BMW M5 Sedan:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo