Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 undercuts the Porsche Panamera by RM99,200 yet reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, 1.6 seconds ahead. Its plug-in hybrid system adds a 22.1-kWh battery, 67 km EV range and 7.4-kW AC charging, useful if you can charge regularly, but the 2,510-kg kerb weight and RM8,408 annual road tax are serious Malaysian ownership penalties. The RM1.3 million Panamera is 530 kg lighter, has a 90-litre tank and 494-litre boot, while its 272 km/h top speed and air suspension make it the less compromised long-distance choice.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, 67 km of EV range and a RM99,200 lower entry price.
Pick the Porsche Panamera if you prioritise lower RM1,865 road tax, a 90-litre fuel tank, air suspension and more rearward practicality.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Porsche Panamera RM1,300,000.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Porsche Panamera 5.1 seconds.
- Kerb weight: BMW M5 2,510 kg; Porsche Panamera 1,980 kg.
- Top speed: BMW M5 250 km/h; Porsche Panamera 272 km/h.
- Fuel tank: BMW M5 60 litres; Porsche Panamera 90 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW M5 RM8,408; Porsche Panamera RM1,865.
M5
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1-kWh battery
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM99,200 lower purchase price
- 530 kg heavier than the Panamera
- Smaller 60-litre fuel tank versus 90 litres
- Higher RM8,408 annual road tax
Panamera
- 272 km/h top speed
- Porsche Active Suspension Management with adaptive two-chamber air suspension
- 494-litre boot and 90-litre fuel tank
- 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.6 seconds slower
- Costs RM99,200 more
- No plug-in hybrid EV range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800✓ | RM1,300,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM1,865✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 2,894 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp✓ | 348 hp |
| Torque | 750 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | PDK |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Porsche |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 272 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,052 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,937 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 1,980 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 494 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 265/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 295/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | Porsche Active Suspension Management with Adaptive two-chamber air suspension and two-valve dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver and Front Passenger Knee, Front Side, Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Two Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Matrix LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings, Heating & Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot; 2 USB-C Ports Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Side Window Sunshades, Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Porsche Communications Module, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used M5 & Panamera for sale
M5 vs Panamera FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Porsche Panamera better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright acceleration and plug-in hybrid running, hitting 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and offering 67 km EV range. The Porsche Panamera suits long-distance use better with its 90-litre tank, 494-litre boot and much lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Panamera costs RM1,300,000, which is RM99,200 more than the BMW M5 at RM1,200,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Porsche Panamera has lower annual road tax at RM1,865, against RM8,408 for the BMW M5. The difference is RM6,543 a year.