VS
At a Glance
Power
535 kW
760 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
1240 Nm
Fuel
1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 w
20.7-21.6 kWh/100km l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
3.5 s
2.3 s
Engine
4395 cc
electric cc
Choosing between the BMW M5 and the Porsche Taycan is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW M5 delivers 535 kW while the Porsche Taycan produces 760 kW. On fuel, the M5 returns 1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 when discharged / 3.0 combined l/100km while the Taycan uses 20.7-21.6 kWh/100km l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 782 000 for the M5 and R6 024 000 for the Taycan. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
535 kW
760 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
1240 Nm
0-100 kph
3.5 s
2.3 s
Top Speed
305 Km/h
290 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
4395 cc
electric cc
Engine Layout
V
—
Cylinders
8
—
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
electric
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
—
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 w
20.7-21.6 kWh/100km l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 litre + 18.6 kWh l
105.0 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
39 when hybrid battery charged / 68 comb
—
Dimensions
Length
5096 mm
4968 mm
Width
1970-2156 mm
1998-2144 mm
Height
1510 mm
1378 mm
Wheelbase
3006 mm
2900 mm
Ground Clearance
115 mm
126 mm
Kerb Weight
2435 DIN / 2510 EU Kg
2290 DIN / 2365 EU Kg
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
4 (opt 4+1)
Load Volume
466 l
84 front + 326 rear l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
505 l
420 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8 (opt 10)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 hybrid batter
unlimited Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
service interval indicator
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Porsche Taycan
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Taycan
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
M5
Practicality
Taycan
Pros & Cons
BMW M5
Lower starting price (R2 782 000)
Higher towing capacity (2000 Kg)
Less power than rival (535 kW vs 760 kW)
Porsche Taycan
More powerful engine (760 kW)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (2.3 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the M5 or Taycan?
The M5 uses 1.7 when hybrid battery charged / 10.3 when discharged / 3.0 combined l/100km and the Taycan uses 20.7-21.6 kWh/100km l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the M5 or Taycan?
The M5 produces 535 kW and 1000 Nm of torque while the Taycan delivers 760 kW and 1240 Nm of torque. The Taycan is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the M5 and Taycan?
The M5 starts from R2 782 000 and the Taycan from R6 024 000. The M5 is cheaper by R3 242 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the M5 or Taycan?
The M5 has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the Taycan can tow 0 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the M5 or the Taycan?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.