There’s never been a better time to buy a super sedan. Back in the late ’80s, there really only was one choice for a four-door vehicle that had the moves of a genuine supercar — the original, E28-generation, BMW M5. Thirty-two years later, the BMW M5 is no longer alone and there are a bevy of excellent super sedans to choose from. We truly do live in the golden era of the automobile, when there are at least four sedans you can buy with more luxury than a ten year old Bentley and more performance than only a three year old Ferrari.
In this new comparison test from Car and Driver, we get to see the best four super sedans take each other on to see which one is king. Those four cars are the brand-new F90-gen BMW M5, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, the Porsche Panamera Turbo and the Cadillac CTS-V. They’re all pretty similar, as they all sport forced-induction V8s, four doors and six-figure price tags. So which one is best? You might be surprised by the results.
Last place goes to the Porsche Panamera Turbo. A Porsche taking last place in any test, for any reason? I know, crazy. Still, the Panamera came dead last and C&D’s reasoning is sound. While fast, its 550 hp and 567 lb-ft twin-turbocharged V8 is the weakest of the bunch and slowest in the real world. While it can hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat, it takes launch control that holds launches at 5,000 rpm to do so. It’s the heaviest car of the bunch and that makes it the slowest in the real world, while also making it the least enjoyable to drive. It’s very capable, sure, but it needs so much electronic assistance to do so that it feels cold and aloof. So while there’s a lot to like about the Panamera, it’s no as good as its competitors.
In third place comes the Cadillac CTS-V. To be honest, Cadillac should just be happy it’s not dead last. The CTS-V is the oldest car in the test by far, the only one that’s rear-wheel drive and the cheapest. It has some really good qualities, such as its monstrous 640 hp and 640 lb-ft supercharged 6.2 liter V8. With help from GM’s own eight-speed auto, it can get from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, the slowest of the bunch. Thank only two driven wheels for that. It can seriously handle, though, with great steering and sharp moves. Where the Cadillac falters is in terms of its clunky gearbox and subpar interior. It’s a fine car to drive but not a fine car to own.
Second place is held by the Mercedes-AMG E63 S. Its 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 is an absolute masterpiece, making 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque and a rockstar noise. It’s a superb engine and possibly the best V8 on the planet. That engine is paired with Mercedes’ own nine-speed auto and powers all four wheels, with an available “Drift Mode” that makes it rear-wheel drive periodically. All of that V8 fury helps the AMG get from 0-60 mph in a C&D-tested 2.9 seconds, which is seriously quick. Where the AMG starts to fall apart is when you push it really hard. It’s fun as hell at 6 or 7/10ths, as it can be a tire-scorching hooligan. However, when you really start to push, it will understeer and then oversteer too much. It can be too much of a handful. Still, it’s an incredibly exciting car with a rockstar of an engine and a masterful interior. So it can only fall to something truly special. And it does.
We’ve said that the new BMW M5 has the potential to be considered the best M5 of all time. This test doesn’t do anything to change our minds, as it takes first place. With its 4.4 liter twin-turbocharged V8, it makes 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, it can rocket from 0-60 mph in a supercar-embarrassing 2.8 seconds. That’s faster than a Nissan GT-R, by the way. That all-wheel drive system can also switch to rear-drive, like the AMG, but BMW’s application of that switch is better, as it isn’t just a specific mode and it has no speed limit. Where the BMW M5 spearates itself from the pack, though, is in how it handles. The new M5 has a sweetness about it that bests its competitors. It doesn’t corner as flat as the Porsche or Cadillac but it’s better for it. You can feel it roll just a bit, which allows your butt to feel what the chassis and suspension are doing. And it just has that old-school BMW M car feel that we’ve longed for.
Is it perfect? No. Its semi-fake engine and exhaust noise is a bit over-the-top and noticeably software-enhanced and its seating position is a touch high. Still, it’s the best car to own and drive here, with smooth moves, blistering performance, an incredible interior and an old-school M Division feel that sets it apart from its competitors. BMW M is back.
[Source: Car and Driver]
I was looking forward to a comparison with the CTS-V, and as I thought it edges the M5 in the driving experience basically, which isn’t surprising as it’s lighter and purely rwd. Great result still, naturally the more extreme versions will do even better. The CS specifically will be very interesting…
Let’s see what Competition Package brings . One thing is for sure, if it has 625 HP (as rumored) it’ll kill the competition in the straight line soo badly :P .
GM needs to just add AWD to the CTS-V. Combined with magnetic shocks I think it will be a super improvement. Improve the interior quality, add new colors and you will have a proper competitor, not to mention a good send off for the CTS name.
my 0.02
Cadillac is also creating its own bespoke V8, not a GM-sourced engine. That should be a significant improvement as well, as it won’t just be sheer grunt but something more exciting and premium. So combine that with all-wheel drive and a more upscale interior and the next-gen CTS-V could be a real player. I’ve always felt Cadillac was severely held back by GM, so it’s nice to see its own engineers doing some real, quality work.
From all indications thus far, the CTS is dead…so no next CTS. Instead, it will be the CT6, which has been presented in a refresh recently, sporting a 550hp TTV8 for the..wait for it…V Sport version! Which means the real CT6-V will be 650 plus.
Let’s hope the AWD idea fairy lands on their shoulders like it did for BMW :)
Concerning engines, I think sharing is not a bad idea as it frees up money for other things like the interior.
The M5 never left. It was only giving their rivals a head start and attack at the right timing.
PK, thank you for the best comment of the year! So right! Cheers!
as a bimmer fan yes i can be honest when i know bmw can struggle at times but i’m realist too.
The king is back
This is the best Achivement for the Bmw who makes an Awesome Super beast wao..totally sick ///M5
2.8 secs to 60.
Long live the king.
Try to be serious.
Since BMW created the segment, he is.
Take your own advice.
Are you his shadow or are you him?
Neither. While u r something we try to avoid stepping in.
Fortunately your stink gives plenty of advance notice.
It is a shame that there is no vaccine for you
Good thing you can be flushed away.
The 4.0l V8 from the Merc has better stats and sounds bad-ass
You mean the years old AMG M178?
Yes i mean that engine!
I’m still on the fence between the new M5, the new Corvette ZR1 or a new 911 GTS. I don’t by any means say that I’m a pro racer. So I lean more towards the awd M5 and 911 GTS. Most ppl wouldn’t have these on the shortlist together but hey, each bring something to the table that I like. 🤷🏽♂️😇
2.8 seconds to 0-60 is not faster than Nissan GT-R. It’s the same. I’m not JDM fanboy, but let’s be honest, GT-R is far superior than new M5. The noise it makes is not fake like in M5, it still has hydraulic steering and that’s very, very rare in todays performance car. OK, M5 is more comfortable, better looking, better made, much more spacious and better on daily basis. These two cars are definetly not in same category, but if I had to choose one, I’d pick GT-R. I think it’s the greatest car ever made(with Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 and Ferrari 458).
I thought the GT-R did it in 2.9, that’s my bad. But, to be fair, I wasn’t comparing the two cars together. Just using the GT-R as a reference point to show how fast the M5 really is. They aren’t even comparable cars. One is a genuine two-door, bespoke supercar and the other is a four-door super sedan based on a pre-existing luxury car.