Compare the2022 BMW M5VS 2021 Mercedes AMG CLS

The BMW M5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The M5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG CLS.

Both the M5 and the AMG CLS have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The M5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG CLS’ (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG CLS.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The M5’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 171 more horsepower (600 vs. 429) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (617 vs. 429) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid. The M5 CS’ standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 198 more horsepower (627 vs. 429) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 384) than the AMG CLS’ 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW M5 (base engine) is faster than the Mercedes AMG CLS:

Both the M5 and the AMG CLS have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All M5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The M5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG CLS:

The M5 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M5 stops much shorter than the AMG CLS:

For better traction, the M5 has larger tires than the AMG CLS (F:275/40R19 & R:285/40R19 vs. F:245/40R19 & R:275/35R19).

The M5 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The AMG CLS’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M5’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the AMG CLS (117.4 inches vs. 115.7 inches).

The M5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the AMG CLS 53 (23.3 seconds @ .91 average G’s vs. 25.4 seconds @ .74 average G’s).

The BMW M5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG CLS.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the M5 a Mid-size car, while the AMG CLS is rated a Compact.

The M5 has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG CLS (103 vs. 93).

The M5 has 3.8 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the AMG CLS.

The M5 has a much larger trunk than the AMG CLS (14 vs. 11.9 cubic feet).

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the M5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The AMG CLS doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The M5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the AMG CLS.