2025 Aston Martin DB12 vs 2026 BMW M5

$245,000 · Coupe

$121,900 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Aston Martin DB12 and the 2026 BMW M5 boils down to prioritizing pure exotic presence over everyday, high-tech capability. The primary dilemma facing buyers is deciding if the $245,000 MSRP of the DB12 is worth the design heritage compared to the M5's $121,900 starting price—a substantial $123,100 gap. While the Aston boasts a respectable 671 hp from its V8, the M5 pushes harder with 717 hp and significantly more torque at 738 lb-ft. Although the Aston achieves slightly better fuel economy at 17 combined MPG versus the M5's 14 combined MPG, the M5 offers the unique advantage of a 29-mile electric range for silent city driving. Furthermore, the M5's sedan body style provides more practical dimensions, standing taller at 59.4 inches compared to the low-slung DB12 at 51.0 inches, making the BMW the more versatile high-performance option.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW M5

The 2026 BMW M5 wins for commuters due to its 29 miles of electric range, allowing for zero-emission local driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW M5

As a sedan with a usable 16.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, the M5 is inherently more practical than the two-seat DB12 coupe.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 BMW M5

Enthusiasts will appreciate the M5's brute force, delivering 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, significantly higher than the DB12's outputs.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW M5

The M5 offers a massive performance advantage for $123,100 less than the DB12, making it the clear winner on cost-to-performance ratio.

Choose the Aston Martin DB12 if...

You want a classic, low-slung grand tourer design with a 51.0-inch height.
You prefer the handling predictability of Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) versus All Wheel Drive (AWD).
You prioritize slightly better traditional fuel economy, netting 17 combined MPG.

Choose the BMW M5 if...

You need practical functionality provided by a sedan body style and 16.5 cu ft of cargo space.
You value maximum power, leveraging the M5's 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque.
You want daily efficiency perks, like the 29 miles of all-electric range.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Aston Martin DB12	BMW M5
Length	186.0"	200.6"
Width	76.5"	77.6"
Height	51.0"	59.4"
Wheelbase	110.4"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Headrests	—	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	4.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	671 hp @ 6000 rpm	717 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	590 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm	738 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Number of Valves	32	32
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
Rear Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/22 MPG	12/19 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	14 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	309.0/453.2 mi.	190.8/302.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	20.6 gal.	15.9 gal.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	—	41/57 MPGe
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	—	47 MPGe
EPA Electric Driving Range	—	29 mi.
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	—	55
Charging Time (240V)	—	2.0 hr.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	—	SAE J1772

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.25 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	390W	655W
Speaker System	11	18
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	With Real Time Traffic	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bowers & Wilkins
Surround Audio	—	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	12 months

Power Feature

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Fixed Glass Extended
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Front Head Room	38.6 in.	39.0 in.
Front Leg Room	45.1 in.	41.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.3 in.	59.2 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	12-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	12-way	12-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	3	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Premium Leather	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Fixed Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Head Room	—	37.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	—	36.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	—	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	21 in	21 x 11.0 in.
Tire Type	Performance	Performance
Tire Size	325/30R Z	295/35R21

Suspension

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—

Warranty

Feature	Aston Martin	BMW
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	10 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	8 yr./ 100000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Aston Martin DB12 and 2026 BMW M5.

How much more power does the BMW M5 really offer over the Aston Martin DB12?

The 2026 BMW M5 is substantially more powerful, producing 717 hp compared to the 2025 Aston Martin DB12's 671 hp, giving the M5 a 46 hp advantage.

Is the Aston Martin DB12 more fuel-efficient than the plug-in M5?

Surprisingly, yes, in traditional gasoline mode, the DB12 achieves 17 combined MPG, whereas the M5 is rated at 14 combined MPG when running on premium unleaded fuel.

Can the BMW M5 handle poor weather conditions better than the Aston Martin?

Absolutely; the M5 features All Wheel Drive (AWD) capability, which typically offers superior traction and stability compared to the DB12's standard Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) setup.

How does the physical size of these two cars compare?

The M5 is significantly longer and taller; it measures 200.6 inches long and 59.4 inches high, dwarfing the more compact DB12 which is 186.0 inches long and only 51.0 inches high.

Is the steep price difference between the two vehicles justified by any single feature?

The primary justification for the DB12's higher $245,000 MSRP is its brand cachet and exotic coupe styling, as the M5 significantly undercuts it while providing more horsepower and electric driving capability.

Does the Aston Martin DB12 offer any electric driving capability like the M5?

No, the 2025 Aston Martin DB12 relies exclusively on its gasoline engine, while the 2026 BMW M5 provides a helpful 29 miles of pure electric range for local travel.