Compare the2024 Porsche PanameraVS 2023 BMW M5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera 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 Panamera and M5 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Panamera has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The M5’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Panamera helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The M5 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Panamera and M5 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Panamera has Rear Cross Traffic Alert (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 Panamera and the M5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (670 vs. 617) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (686 vs. 553) than the M5 Competition’s optional 4.4 turbo V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Panamera running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the M5:

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the M5 (21.1 vs. 20.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the M5 (23.9 vs. 20.1 gallons).

The Panamera offers a standard 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.

For better stopping power the Panamera 4S/Turbo CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M5:

For better traction and acceleration, the Panamera has larger standard rear tires than the M5 (295/40R19 vs. 285/40R19). The Panamera’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the M5 (325/30R21 vs. 285/40R19).

The Panamera’s optional 325/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M5’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 21-inch wheels. The M5’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the Panamera 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 Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the M5.

The Panamera has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Panamera’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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the M5.

For better maneuverability, the Panamera’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the M5’s (39 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The M5’s rear seats don’t recline.

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Panamera uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The M5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

The Panamera’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Panamera’s standard Porsche Entry and Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the M5 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Panamera to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The M5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Panamera’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The M5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the Panamera and the M5 offer optional massaging front seats. The Panamera also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the M5.

The Panamera’s optional Remote ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The M5’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Panamera is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The M5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.