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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 4.4L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 15 / 21 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,800 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 520 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $95,914–$116,776 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 BMW M5 at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.3/10, while Value at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 9.3/10. The BMW M5 delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.7/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $95,914–$116,776, 15 MPG, seating 5, the BMW M5 sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.0/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 BMW M5 is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is reliability and value — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 BMW M5 ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $95,914 starting price is about 247% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 BMW M5 scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.5 — and starts roughly $9,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $108,562 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $108,562 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $105,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $102,238 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $99,076 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $95,914 | |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $92,752 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $89,590 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $86,428 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $83,266 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $80,104 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $76,942 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 30/09/2020 · 20V598000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 BMW M5's reliability 6.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 BMW M5 starts at $95,914 and ranges up to $116,776 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.