Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs BMW M5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
From $278,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
280kW
8.4 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
510L
BMW M5
From $259,900
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
535kW
3 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
466L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Mercedes-Benz S-Class & BMW M5
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Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class starts from $278,900 before on-road costs, while the BMW M5 opens at $259,900. That makes the BMW M5 the more affordable entry point by $19,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $306,790 and $285,890 respectively.
The BMW M5 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW M5 by roughly $9,500 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
18.6kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class features a 12.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW M5 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class stands out with Burmester audio that you will not find on the BMW M5. The BMW M5 counters with power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class gets nappa leather upholstery while the BMW M5 offers merino leather.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class uses a Petrol producing 280kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.
The BMW M5 responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 535kW and 1000Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds.
The BMW M5 has the clear power advantage at 535kW vs 280kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW M5 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class measures 5,179mm long on a 3,106mm wheelbase, 83mm longer than the BMW M5 at 5,096mm (3,006mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 510L in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 466L in the BMW M5, giving the Mercedes-Benz S-Class a 44L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class leads with a 2,100kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.9m to 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,394/year for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and $494/year for the BMW M5. That is a $1,900 annual difference in favour of the BMW M5.
Estimated annual total: $2,394 (Mercedes-Benz S-Class) vs $494 (BMW M5). The BMW M5 saves you roughly $1,900 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz S-Class) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW M5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW M5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW M5 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BMW M5 will save you roughly $1,900 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW M5?
The BMW M5 is the cheapest at $259,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz S-Class by $19,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW M5 uses the least fuel at 3L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW M5 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the largest boot at 510L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW M5 makes the most power at 535kW. The BMW M5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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