Porsche Panamera Turbo S and BMW M5 in the test: One is a sports car, the other an all-rounder

It doesn't take much imagination to imagine the comparison between the BMW M5 and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid as a mythical duel – like the one between the club-wielding warriors in Goya's famous painting or that of Siegfried and Hagen. But we don't want to exaggerate. This isn't a battle against the forces of darkness, but simply a question of who builds the better power sports sedan.

The BMW M5, part of the Munich-based company's model range since 1985, reigns supreme in this category. Perhaps also because Porsche apparently wasn't particularly interested in this role – until recently. The third Panamera generation has been on the market for almost two years, and its top model is now facing off against the new M5 of the G90 series. In other words: the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid versus the—well—M5, 782 versus 727 hp of system power, each with 1,000 Nm. May we ask?

If a comparison test at this level were primarily a question of price, the winner would already be clear: The M5 costs around €100,000 less than the Panamera S E-Hybrid. With all optional extras included, the price tag is €166,090 (BMW) and €260,554 (Porsche). So the Panamera should have quite a lot to offer to justify this difference.

On the other hand, driving a Porsche isn't just a financial question; it's at least as much a question of the heart, a question of how one views the important things in life. And in Zuffenhausen, they've been doing a lot of things right for many years. This can also be seen in the ice-grey Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid with the license plate S-GO 670E. With every fiber of its upholstery, every high-strength M12 screw, every weld point, and cast aluminum part, it's as much a Porsche as, say, a 356 Speedster or a 930 Turbo. Or at least, it knows how to create that image with its simplicity, clean craftsmanship, and appealing choice of materials.

BMW interprets tradition quite differently. The M5 appears more modern, more digital, and with its large displays, colorful lighting, red applications, and angular fonts on the screens, it resembles a cross between a game console and a spacecraft. That's fine. Still, one wonders why a classic instrument panel isn't offered as an alternative for older and stuck-in-the-past-the-past drivers. Perhaps no one has asked for it until now.

Traditionalists may be bothered by the fact that the gear selector levers have shrunk to puny switches in both cars – in the BMW's on the center console, in the Porsche on the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel. While it's certainly practical and probably cheaper, it's not much prettier. At least the little levers are functional, even if they may lack the sensuality of a real gear selector.

Meanwhile, we're on the road, first in the BMW. You don't have to worry about the diverse settings for the chassis, drive, or steering at the start. Or only until you've assigned your preferred menus to the two M buttons on the steering wheel. Otherwise, the BMW—like the Porsche—rolls off electrically, smoothly, and quietly. Both can be quickly switched to a hybrid mode, in which the eight-cylinder engine jumps in when needed. This is a bit faster in the Panamera, as it only requires a turn of the mode dial in the right steering wheel spoke. In the BMW, you have to press the "My Hybrid" button on the center console.

The first part of our drive takes us along the Autobahn – perhaps not exciting, but probably more relevant to most M5 and Panamera Turbo users in real life than fast laps on a racetrack. Of course, the two power sedans are equally capable of these, but with a curb weight of almost 2.4 tons each, they're in each other's way. They can't manage much more than a fast lap before the tormented tires wear out.

It's not boring on the highway either; there, you're more likely to fear inattentive road users. Both models reach speeds beyond 250 km/h so rapidly that you could be scared of the dreaded; the M5, however, only because the test car comes with the €2,450 M Drivers Package, which increases the top speed to 305 km/h. The package plays no role on the subsequent country road sections.

You might be wondering how such powerful cars, measuring around two meters wide and five meters long, handle on normal country roads. Better than expected – especially the Panamera. With its ultra-precise steering and chassis with roll stabilization, the Porsche excels at fooling the driver into believing they're in a sports car. The front wheels grip the turn-in points, and the rear axle follows stoically and with sure traction, even when the accelerator pedal is pressed relentlessly. It feels playful and relaxed. The complex technical choreography required for this remains discreetly in the background.

The whole thing isn't quite as effortlessly danceable in the M5. This is due in no small part to the steering. It doesn't seem to strike the right balance between precise response, smoothness, and transparency in any of the available modes. Perhaps this is only so noticeable if you're switching from the Porsche with its benchmark steering.

The M5 certainly doesn't do badly, and in the dynamic exercises on the test track and the racetrack, it's only a fraction of an inch slower than the Panamera. However, it doesn't feel quite as effortless, natural, and fun to drive as a Porsche. What helps the BMW when driving fast on country roads is its better visibility to the front and diagonally behind, even though it's a few millimeters wider than the Porsche.

The different characteristics have little impact on driving safety. Both sedans prove to be extremely stable, feature attentive and effective assistance systems, and very powerful braking systems. The M5 comes with optional carbon-ceramic brakes (€9,900), while they are standard on the Panamera Turbo S. All-wheel steering is standard on both test vehicles, another significant contribution to driving safety. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the most important assistance computer in such powerful cars is installed between the driver's ears.

Before we conclude this comparison, we should highlight the everyday qualities of both cars. For example, the truly remarkable suspension comfort of the Panamera, which fully showcases the sophisticated Active Ride chassis. Or the sedan qualities of the M5, which offers passengers the same spacious opulence as any low-key G90 5 Series.

Another advantage of the M5 and Panamera is that both display their enormous power and exorbitant cost relatively discreetly. You have to look closely before you notice that these are the top models. Parked in front of terraced garages, the world's best power sedans no longer seem like rivals, but like good friends. Something that can't be said for Siegfried and Hagen or Goya's club-wielding heroes.