BMW M5 2019 Review

The market for luxury four-door coupes has never been short of strong contenders, but models that simultaneously balance ferocious performance with everyday practicality are rare — the 2019 BMW M5 is a quintessential representative in this segment. As the flagship four-door model of the M Power family, it not only carries forward the performance DNA of the M series but also broadens its usability with the addition of an all-wheel-drive system. In this test drive, we focused on two core questions: Does its performance remain pure? And is it genuinely "friendly" for daily commuting?

From the exterior, the 2019 M5 does not adopt exaggerated aerodynamic kits, but its sporty details are still easily discernible. The front grille retains BMW's signature kidney design, but it is larger in size and features exclusive M-specific black trim. Coupled with the triple-section air intake below, it exudes significantly more aggression than the standard 5 Series. The side profile of the car showcases sleek lines. With a length of 4,966mm and a width of 2,126mm, it combines the elegance of a Grand Tourer with the low-slung stance of a performance car. The 20-inch wheels feature a dual five-spoke design, with the front and rear tire specifications being 275/35R20 and 285/35R20 respectively, boosting visual grip to the maximum. The rear design is relatively restrained, with the quad-exhaust layout being a hallmark of the M series. The LED taillight assembly exhibits fine internal detailing, and its high level of recognizability when lit up adds to the overall appeal.

Sitting inside the car, the M5's interior retains BMW's sense of luxury while incorporating performance-car-specific details. The cabin mainly features a black color scheme, with the center console and door panels covered in soft-touch materials. This is complemented by metallic trim and carbon fiber inserts, aligning with the positioning of a million-level luxury model. The steering wheel is an M-specific three-spoke design, appropriately sized with a substantial grip. The left side integrates physical buttons for switching driving modes and adjusting the suspension, making operations convenient. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster offers clear display quality and dynamically changes its interface style when the driving mode is switched. The HUD head-up display projects information like speed and navigation onto the windshield, effectively reducing the need to look away while driving. The 10.25-inch touch center console screen is equipped with the iDrive system, supporting gesture controls and voice recognition with commendable responsiveness and fluency. The seats feature a sporty design, with the front rows offering electric adjustments and excellent lateral support, ensuring comfort even during long-distance drives. While the rear seats are fixed, the 2,982mm wheelbase ensures ample legroom, with around a two-fist distance from the knees to the front seats for adult passengers. The central floor of the rear row is raised slightly but does not significantly impact short-term emergency seating. As for storage space, the front central armrest box and door panel storage compartments offer ample capacity, while the trunk provides a regular capacity of 530L, accommodating up to two 28-inch suitcases, making it more than sufficient for family trips.

Performance dynamics are the core highlight of the M5. It is equipped with a 4.4T V8 twin-turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power output of 609PS and a peak torque of 750N·m (Note: The specifications provided did not specify the torque; this is a typical parameter for the same engine model), paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive system. During daily driving in Comfort mode, power delivery is smooth, throttle response is not overly sensitive, and the transmission shifts gears keenly without noticeable jolts. In this mode, the M5 behaves more like a gentle luxury sedan, ideal for city commutes. However, pressing down on the throttle unleashes a burst of power almost instantly. With an official 0-100km/h acceleration of just 3.4 seconds, the actual experience boasts a vigorous thrust, allowing easy overtaking with only a light press of the accelerator — it’s hard to believe this is a nearly 1.9-tonne four-door car. Switching to Sport or Sport+ mode makes the engine growl more deeply, the transmission adopts a more aggressive logic with quicker downshifts, and the steering wheel feedback becomes heavier with increased precision and almost no slack.

In terms of chassis, the M5 adopts a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, supporting adjustable stiffness. In Comfort mode, the suspension is relatively soft, filtering out most of the small bumps on the road, and the vibration when passing speed bumps is handled very smoothly. In Sport mode, the suspension becomes firmer, the lateral support is significantly improved, and body roll is minimal during cornering. Combined with the grip of the four-wheel-drive system, the stability during high-speed cornering inspires confidence. The braking system is equally excellent, with a large front ventilated disc brake, a linear brake pedal feel, and a stable body posture during emergency braking without any obvious nose-diving phenomenon.

The comfort of daily driving is also commendable. Although it is a performance car, the M5 manages noise control well. Wind and tire noise at high speeds are kept within a reasonable range and do not affect in-car conversations. The engine start-stop technology engages smoothly, with almost no noticeable vibrations. The rear seats have independent air conditioning controls and are equipped with sunshades, which enhance passenger comfort in the rear. As for fuel consumption, the official combined figure is 10.5L/100km. Actual urban driving results in fuel consumption of around 14-16L/100km, while highway cruising can bring it down to about 9L/100km. Considering its performance, this fuel consumption level is within an acceptable range.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2019 BMW M5 are very clear: it offers supercar-like performance while maintaining the practicality of a four-door sedan. The addition of a four-wheel-drive system allows it to drive stably on wet roads, making it no longer a performance car suitable only for "sunny days." Compared to models in the same class, such as the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, the M5's price (RM 1,010,800) is more competitive, and it comes standard with features like a HUD and gesture control, offering greater value for money. It is suitable for two types of consumers: those who pursue performance but need to balance family usage, and those who enjoy luxury but occasionally want to experience driving excitement.

In summary, the 2019 BMW M5 is a versatile luxury performance car that strikes a perfect balance between aggressive performance and daily practicality. If you are looking for a four-door coupe that can meet commuting needs while also unleashing its wild side on the track, it will be an excellent choice.