Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 undercuts the Porsche Panamera by RM99,200, delivers 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and can cover 67 km on electric power from its 22.1-kWh battery. That suits a buyer able to charge at home or work, though its 2,510-kg kerb weight is substantial. The Panamera costs more, but its RM1,865 annual road tax versus RM8,408, 90-litre tank, 494-litre boot and 272-km/h top speed make a strong case for long-distance use. The M5 is the faster, more affordable answer; the Porsche is the lighter GT.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, plug-in hybrid driving and RM99,200 left in your pocket.
Pick the Porsche Panamera if lower annual road tax, a 90-litre fuel tank and a 494-litre boot matter more than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Porsche Panamera RM1,300,000.
- Annual road tax: BMW M5 RM8,408; Porsche Panamera RM1,865.
- 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.
- Fuel tank: BMW M5 60 litres; Porsche Panamera 90 litres.
- Boot space: BMW M5 466 litres; Porsche Panamera 494 litres.
M5
- Faster 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 22.1-kWh battery delivers 67 km of EV range.
- Lower purchase price and unlimited-kilometre warranty.
- 530 kg heavier than the Panamera.
- Higher RM8,408 annual road tax.
- Smaller 60-litre tank and 466-litre boot.
Panamera
- RM1,865 annual road tax is far lower.
- 90-litre tank and 494-litre boot suit longer trips.
- Gets Matrix LED headlamps, a panoramic glass roof and front-seat ventilation.
- RM99,200 more expensive.
- 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time trails the M5 by 1.6 seconds.
- 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 | 3 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 performance and plug-in hybrid use, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and offering 67 km of EV range. The Porsche Panamera better suits long-distance touring with lower road tax, a larger tank and more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Panamera costs RM99,200 more than the BMW M5: RM1,300,000 against RM1,200,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Porsche Panamera has much lower annual road tax at RM1,865, compared with RM8,408 for the BMW M5.