VS
At a Glance
Power
535 kW
440 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
710 Nm
Fuel
2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 10.9 w
18.8-22.0 kWh/100km l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
3.6 s
3.8 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 440 kW. On fuel, the M5 returns 2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 10.9 when discharged / 3.2 combined l/100km while the Taycan uses 18.8-22.0 kWh/100km l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 812 000 for the M5 and R3 537 000 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
440 kW
Torque
1000 Nm
710 Nm
0-100 kph
3.6 s
3.8 s
Top Speed
305 Km/h
240 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
2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 10.9 w
18.8-22.0 kWh/100km l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 litre + 18.6 kWh l
105.0 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
46 when hybrid battery charged / 72 comb
—
Dimensions
Length
5096 mm
4974 mm
Width
1970-2156 mm
1967-2144 mm
Height
1516 mm
1409 mm
Wheelbase
3006 mm
2904 mm
Ground Clearance
118 mm
146-176 mm
Kerb Weight
2475 DIN / 2550 EU Kg
2280 DIN / 2355 EU Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
4 (opt 4+1)
Load Volume
500-1630 l
84 front + 446-1212 rear l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
575 l
605 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
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
Optional
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
BMW M5
2 / 4 categories
Performance
M5
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
M5
Practicality
Taycan
Pros & Cons
BMW M5
More powerful engine (535 kW)
Lower starting price (R2 812 000)
Higher towing capacity (2000 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.6 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Porsche Taycan
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (440 kW vs 535 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the M5 or Taycan?
The M5 uses 2.0 when hybrid battery charged / 10.9 when discharged / 3.2 combined l/100km and the Taycan uses 18.8-22.0 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 440 kW and 710 Nm of torque. The M5 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the M5 and Taycan?
The M5 starts from R2 812 000 and the Taycan from R3 537 000. The M5 is cheaper by R725 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.