2011 Infiniti M56 vs. 2011 BMW 550i Comparison Test

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published December 27, 2010

2:9 min

For decades, one midsize luxury sedan has held the title of most fun to drive: the BMW 5 Series. But two things have happened this year. One: the all-new 2011 5 Series is bigger and more tuned for comfort. And two: the Infiniti M56. We tested the biggest engines available. The BMW's twin-turbo V8 is good for 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque and is hooked up to an eight-speed automatic. The Infiniti's naturally aspirated V8 makes 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque and gets a seven-speed auto. At the track the M56 nudged the 550i by two-tenths of a second to 60. But in the quarter-mile, the BMW was a nose ahead. Looks about even on the drag strip, then. How about handling? The Infiniti had a narrow advantage in the slalom, but the 550i's rather pedestrian .84g on the skidpad was not only worse than the M56, but the last-generation 550i as well. The 5 Series was underwhelming away from the track. Despite its adaptive and adjustable suspension, it feels too heavy and softly sprung through corners and its newly electrified steering feels artificial. You no longer get that communication between man and machine the 5 Series was known for. Now, the M's steering isn't that communicative either, but it is precise and very quick. Its firm suspension also makes the M56 better suited to the types of roads the 5 Series used to rule. But it's too frenetic. It has the sport part down, but the luxury part � not so much. Quite simply, you're less likely to enjoy driving the Infiniti every day to work. The Infiniti's cabin is arguably a bit richer than the traditionally stark BMW. Both have an abundance of features and technologies, but the M is easier to use. In the end, the results were incredibly close. We're disappointed the BMW has lost its edge. But the Infiniti has too much edge to be appealing on a day-to-day basis. That makes the 550i the better choice for most buyers, but does it retain its crown as most fun to drive? Nope.