2020 BMW M5 Review
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M5 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
2020 BMW M5 Review
byRyan ZumMallenContributorRyan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.
The 2020 M5 is exactly what you'd expect from a BMW super sedan: stylish, comfortable and addictively fast. From the outside, it looks much like a standard 5 Series sedan with only a few badges to distinguish between the two. But under the skin, the M5 is a different beast.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 BMW M5 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$267/mo for M5 Base
M5 Base
4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $102,700 MSRPCompetition 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $110,000 MSRP
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Large Car
It is powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. M5 Competition models are bumped to 617 hp. BMW also upgraded the suspension, transmission and all-wheel-drive system to help the M5 deliver outlandish levels of performance. The result is a ferociously athletic sedan that is just as sharp and balanced as it is fast. And it is fast.
Inside, the M5 is adorned with all of the latest technology BMW has to offer. It comes with Live Cockpit Professional, which features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen. The latest version of iDrive 7.0 operates menu functions, and we find it much easier to use than earlier generations. Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is standard, but Android Auto is still not available.
In all, the 2020 M5 offers gut-punching performance while maintaining the space and comfort you expect from a BMW sedan. It packs a lot of personality for the price and makes a worthy opponent to the equally lofty Mercedes-AMG E 63 S and Porsche Panamera Turbo S.
zzdcar Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.6
out of 10
zzdcar TESTED
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Performance
9.0/10How does the M5 drive? The M5 combines all-around athleticism with truly "wow!" bursts of performance. In zzdcar' testing, we recorded a 0-60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds. Stopping from 60 mph took just 99 feet. These are astounding numbers for a 4,300-pound luxury sedan that can just as easily be a comfortable luxury cruiser. Around turns, the M5 provides a seemingly endless amount of grip.
What's more, the big M5 does it all yet remains easy to control. The brakes are smooth and predictable, and the steering is accurate and responsive. The transmission provides smooth and quick shifts, making the mighty engine easy to tame.
Comfort
8.5/10How comfortable is the M5? The front seats are extremely comfortable thanks to the adjustable seatback bolsters. Our drivers weren't tired of them even after long drives. The seats are also aggressively shaped to hold you in place under cornering. The climate control system is effective and able to hold temperatures steady in the cabin provided you're not pushing the engine too hard.
On the road, it has a stiffer ride than a typical 5 Series. But it is not harsh, and Comfort mode delivers a compliant ride. Rolling the windows up keeps the cabin well-insulated from outside noise, unless you prefer to roll them down to experience the sonorous V8.
Interior
8.5/10How’s the interior? Getting into the M5 is a breeze. The aggressive side seat bolsters up front aren't much of an impediment, nor is the sloping roofline for rear passengers. Once in, the driver's seat feels tight and snug. But the rest of the cabin is spacious. Most adults can easily find their ideal driving position, and rear passengers up to 6 feet tall will fit just fine.
One of the interior's strongest areas is visibility. The front roof pillars are thick but stay out of the way through left turns, and you have plenty of situational awareness around the car. A surround-view monitor helps in tight spots. The control layout is another positive. Buttons and knobs are clearly labeled and angled toward the driver.
Technology
8.5/10How’s the tech? BMW deserves applause for its latest version of iDrive. It doesn't take much effort to operate the many available features, and there is a trace pad and touchscreen for optimal control. Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is standard, although Android Auto remains unavailable. The M5's voice recognition system works quite well for a factory system and understands a lot of natural speech.
The M5's driver safety aids are successful in adding a layer of safety without getting in the way. The adaptive cruise control transitions from braking to accelerating smoothly and maintains its set speed on steep grades. Lane keeping assist helps the car stay centered without forcing the wheel from your control.
Storage
8.0/10How’s the storage? There aren't changes between the M5 and its more common 5 Series sibling. The trunk is quite large and provides more space than an E-Class. The rear seats fold down in a 40/20/40-split configuration to help with long or bulky items. Up front, there is a wireless charging pad for keeping your phone secure. Good thing, too, because there's not much space for holding other small items in bins or pockets.
In the back row, car seat anchors are readily available for installing child seats. But because the front seats are very thick, it could be difficult to fit a rear-facing seat.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says you can expect 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway). That's typical for a high-performance sedan but still pretty low as cars go. We managed a pretty respectable 22.7 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route.
Value
8.0/10Is the M5 a good value? The M5 provides typical airtight BMW build quality, and it lives up to the car's price tag. We had trouble finding fault with anything. The M5 is priced close to the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S. While the cost of entry for both is steep, they are worthy rivals.
BMW provides four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties, which is typical for a luxury automaker. Free maintenance for three years/36,000 miles is a nice bonus.
Wildcard
10.0/10The M5 is an exceptional entry in the super-sedan category. The power and performance are simply ridiculous, yet you feel perfectly confident and in control behind the wheel. You can even treat it as a docile, run-of-the-mill luxury car.
Yet this is a truly special vehicle. An unassuming exterior design features small accents that wink and nod at the athleticism that lies underneath. The M5 is a sport sedan for those in the know. And those in the know place it among the best of the best.
Which M5 does zzdcar recommend?
The long list of included features makes the standard M5 the one to get. Normally pricey options such as adaptive LED headlights, ambient interior lighting and a head-up display are only some of the upscale amenities that won't cost extra. Plus you have all the important performance bits, from the quick transmission to an adaptive suspension for sharper response in the corners.
2020 BMW M5 models
Since it is a unique vehicle in itself, there aren't many trims from which to choose. The standard M5 comes with potent performance equipment, starting with the turbocharged V8 engine (600 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque). But if that's not enough, you can upgrade to the M5 Competition, which carries 17 extra horsepower. Both versions come with an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.Other key features include an adaptive suspension, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. A variety of advanced driver safety aids to help reduce the chance of an accident are also standard. Major optional packages include the Executive package (more luxury-related features) and the Driving Assistant Plus package (more driver safety aids).
For 2020, BMW is offering a limited quantity of the M5 Edition 35 Years to celebrate the 35 years the M5 has been in production. The special edition is based on the M5 Competition and comes with special interior and exterior appointments, and it's limited to a global run of 350 cars.
2020 M5 Highlights
Trim: BaseCompetitionBase
Base MSRP | $102,700 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $267/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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