2020 BMW M5 review

What We Like

Potent power: Performance is the name of the game when you're looking at BMW's M cars, and the 2020 M5 has plenty to spare. With up to 617 horsepower from a burly turbocharged V8, it makes the kind of power we expected only from supercars a mere decade ago. From a standstill, the M5 will accelerate to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and thanks to all-wheel-drive and launch control, it doesn't take much skill to achieve that.

Stability and fun: The kind of power the M5 makes can be intimidating for some drivers, but it's surprising how well-mannered and easy it is to drive. All-wheel drive adds a significant amount of stability and traction, though the enthusiast crowd may dismiss it as a crutch. For those drivers, BMW smartly included a feature where you could disable power to the front wheels to allow traditional rear-wheel-drive antics.

Easy to live with: Unlike some smaller sports cars, the BMW M5 won't beat you up. The ride quality is acceptably smooth, though it is firmer than the supporting 5 Series. The seats are well shaped and cushioned for all-day comfort. The 14-cubic-foot trunk capacity and spacious rear seats are also very accommodating for such a sporty sedan.

What Needs Improvement

Doesn't feel special enough: Despite its inspiring performance and everyday convenience, the M5 shares just a bit too much with lesser BMW models. We expect a car that cost over $100,000 when new to wow us with a uniquely crafted interior. Instead, the M5 has the same design as BMW sedans and SUVs that cost half as much.