Compare the2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class SedanVS 2023 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 its 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 M5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the AMG E-Class Sedan has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The M5’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its available vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” to “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the AMG E-Class Sedan the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 174 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.

The AMG E 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 553) than the M5 Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the BMW M5 (3). This means the AMG E-Class Sedan produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M5 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic (SMG) 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 offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The M5 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The AMG E 53’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 53’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 63 S handles at 1.01 G’s, while the M5 Competition pulls only .97 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the AMG E 63 S is quieter than the M5 Competition (42 vs. 52 dB).

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

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 better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the AMG E-Class Sedan has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The M5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

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 and sedan bodystyles; the BMW M5 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Insurance will cost less for the AMG E-Class Sedan owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the AMG E-Class Sedan will cost $4200 to $6825 less than the M5 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes AMG E-Class Sedan will be $20241 to $50913 less than for the BMW M5.

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