For many, even as its successor is almost here, the F10 BMW M5 remains the benchmark in its class, thanks to its excellent balance, rear-wheel drive antics and handling characteristics. So on paper, compared to something like the Lexus GS F, the old M5 has the advantage.
Yet, Top Gear’s Chris Harris didn’t let that stop him from driving these two cars back to back and arriving at a pretty surprising conclusion, one that favors the Lexus over the Bimmer in a pretty major way.
Just to make it clear, it has little to do with performance, since the M5, in this case the 30th Anniversary edition, puts down 600 PS (592 HP) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 sec.
The GS F on the other hand needs 4.6 seconds to hit the mark, and is clearly down on power with 473 PS (467 HP) and just 527 Nm (389 lb-ft) of torque. But what the Lexus can’t do in terms of performance, it more than makes up for with its excellent seating position, howling naturally-aspirated engine note and ride quality, especially on a harsh road.
In the end, Harris praises the GS F for being “more enjoyable to drive, most of the time”, despite the M5 being an overall better performer.