2025 McLaren GTS vs 2026 BMW M5

$219,400 · Coupe

$121,900 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The common dilemma when cross-shopping high-performance vehicles is balancing pure supercar thrills against everyday practicality and value. The 2025 McLaren GTS, starting at $219,400, offers focused performance with 626 hp and a lower ride height at just 47.8 inches, embodying lightweight exoticism. Conversely, the 2026 BMW M5 sedan provides significantly more output, boasting 717 hp and massive 738 lb-ft of torque, all while being over $97,500 less expensive at $121,900. While the McLaren manages 18 MPG combined, the M5, leveraging its plug-in hybrid setup, offers a crucial 29 miles of electric-only range, though its overall combined rating dips slightly to 14 MPG. Ultimately, buyers must weigh the McLaren’s iconic two-door experience against the M5's superior power and substantial cost savings, a difference of 91 horsepower in the BMW's favor.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 BMW M5

The 2026 BMW M5 wins for commuting due to its sedan body style, slightly better city MPG (12 MPG vs 15 MPG for the McLaren), and the availability of 29 miles of electric driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW M5

The M5 is the only realistic option as it is a sedan with 16.5 cu ft of cargo space, while the McLaren GTS is a coupe with likely minimal storage.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 BMW M5

The M5 provides superior brute force statistics with 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque compared to the GTS's 626 hp and 465 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 BMW M5

The BMW M5 is dramatically better value, offering $97,500 in savings while delivering higher horsepower figures.

Choose the McLaren GTS if...

You prioritize the visceral, low-slung experience of a true exotic coupe (47.8 inches tall).
You want the efficiency of a dedicated gasoline engine achieving 22 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a lighter feel, suggested by its smaller 184.4-inch length compared to the M5.

Choose the BMW M5 if...

Your budget is constrained, as it saves you $97,500 compared to the McLaren GTS.
You require usable rear seats and 16.5 cu ft of trunk capacity for utility.
You seek maximum on-paper performance via its 717 hp and massive 738 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	McLaren GTS	BMW M5
Length	184.4"	200.6"
Width	-	77.6"
Height	47.8"	59.4"
Wheelbase	105.3"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	McLaren	BMW
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
Brake Drying	✓	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Headrests	—	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	4.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	gas	plug-in hybrid
Horsepower	626 hp @ 7500 rpm	717 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	465 lb-ft @ 5500 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	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/22 MPG	12/19 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	18 MPG	14 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	285.0/418.0 mi.	190.8/302.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.0 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	McLaren	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	18
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bowers & Wilkins
Stereo Power	—	655W
Surround Audio	—	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	12 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Front Head Room	—	39.0 in.
Front Leg Room	—	41.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	—	59.2 in.
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	12-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	12-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	McLaren	BMW
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	McLaren	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	21 x 10.5 in	21 x 11.0 in.
Tire Type	Performance	Performance
Tire Size	295/30R21	295/35R21

Suspension

Feature	McLaren	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 McLaren GTS and 2026 BMW M5.

How much more expensive is the McLaren GTS than the BMW M5?

The 2025 McLaren GTS has an MSRP of $219,400, which is $97,500 more than the 2026 BMW M5 priced at $121,900. This significant difference accounts for nearly half the cost of the BMW.

Can the BMW M5 run purely on electricity for daily tasks?

Yes, the 2026 M5 features a plug-in hybrid system offering 29 miles of electric range. This makes short trips possible without consuming premium unleaded fuel, unlike the McLaren GTS.

Which car offers better raw power output?

The 2026 BMW M5 is significantly more powerful, delivering 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The McLaren GTS offers 626 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.

Is the McLaren GTS a more fuel-efficient choice overall?

Despite being a traditional gasoline car, the McLaren GTS edges out the M5 in pure gasoline efficiency, achieving 18 MPG combined versus the M5's 14 MPG combined rating.

Which vehicle is better suited for transporting passengers and cargo?

The BMW M5 is superior as it is a sedan body type, offering better accessibility and 16.5 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the McLaren is a much smaller, two-seat coupe.

What is the primary mechanical difference in the drivetrain?

The McLaren GTS uses a rear-wheel-drive setup with a 7-speed automated manual transmission. In contrast, the BMW M5 utilizes an all-wheel-drive system paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic.