2019 BMW M5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

In 2018, BMW redesigned the M5 -- but it’s not resting on its laurels. When the brand wants to extract even more power and performance from...

In 2018, BMW redesigned the M5 -- but it’s not resting on its laurels. When the brand wants to extract even more power and performance from an existing M model, it creates a “Competition” variant. For 2019, the M5 Competition debuts.

While the standard M5 isn’t all that distinguishable from its more plebeian counterparts in the 5 Series range, it has several tells that make it standout: the giant lower intakes, the wider fender flares with unique accents, the carbon fiber roof, the aerodynamic mirrors, the blue brake calipers, and the quad round exhaust tips surrounding a giant rear diffuser. The M5 Competition receives unique alloy wheels, black finishing on the door handles, black chrome exhaust tips, black badging, and “Competition” lettering alongside the M5 logo. Inside of every M5, you’ll find seats that blend the best of performance and luxury, plenty of carbon fiber, and stitched leather on all of the panels.

Both versions of the M5 house an advanced 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The regular M5 makes 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, while the M5 Competition puts out 617 hp. There’s standard launch control and an “M” version of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which -- in the right setting -- can disable the front axle altogether for pure RWD, like previous M5 models. The M5 Competition knocks a tenth of a second off of the standard M5’s 3.2 second run to 60 miles per hour and instead of a top speed of 193 miles per hour, it’ll do 198. BMW also says it has tuned the M5 Competition for sharper responsiveness.

The M5’s motto seems to be, “If you want it, it’s here.” That’s reflected most of all in the base options list, which is long. Standard features include LED exterior lighting, 20-way power front seats with illuminated M5 logos, memory settings, Merino Leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, a Harmon Kardon 600-watt Surround Sound system, satellite and HD radio, gesture control, an 12.3-inch instrument cluster, navigation, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless access and start, and the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay connectivity – although the M5 does not have Android Auto. The Executive Package tacks on wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, front heated, ventilated and massaging seats, soft-close automatic doors, heated rear seats, quad-zone automatic climate control, and power rear sunshades.

There’s plenty in the way of safety, too. A reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors come standard. The Driving Assistance Plus package adds adaptive cruise control with a stop-and-go function, lane-keep assist with side-collision avoidance, cross-traffic alert, traffic-jam assist, and evasion aid. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Executive Package throws in a parking assistant and a 3D-view camera. The M5 has not specifically been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the agency did test a different variant of the 5 Series in 2018, awarding it a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

For the ultimate in grand touring performance, it doesn’t get much better than the 2019 BMW M5. And the new M5 Competition gives even more edge to the buyer looking to exploit the M5’s raw power.