Compare the2022 Mercedes AMG E-Class SedanVS 2022 BMW M5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the AMG E-Class Sedan and the M5 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 lane departure warning systems.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG E-Class Sedan its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The M5 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the AMG E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the AMG E-Class Sedan gets better mileage than the M5:

The AMG E-Class Sedan has a gallon more fuel capacity than the M5 (21.1 vs. 20.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the M5.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M5’s standard 40 series tires. The AMG E-Class Sedan’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the M5’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG E-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The M5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the AMG E-Class Sedan uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the M5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG E-Class Sedan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The M5 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The AMG E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The M5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The AMG E-Class Sedan has .3 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the M5.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the AMG E-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The M5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes AMG E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The M5 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The AMG E-Class Sedan offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The M5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes AMG E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the BMW M5 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The M5 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the BMW 5 Series by 317 units during 2020.