2023 BMW XM AWD: The Brand’s All-New High Performance Flagship Plug-In

Highlight: The XM is being built in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $ 168,395 (Base Model): $159,995

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; AWD; a front collision warning system; a lane departure warning system; lane return with steering assistance an electronic blind spot warning a hill descent control system; a traction control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; rear view camera; automatic high beams; a rearview cameral and a mobility tire kit

Standard Equipment (Base XM): 23-inch wheels; performance run flat tires; all-wheel drive; an automatic start/stop function; black leather seats;  heated front seat, armrest and steering wheel; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; rear soft pillow cushions; an automatic 4-zone climate control system; heated and cooled front cupholders;  ront ventilated seats; front massaging seats; soft close automatic doors; three driving modes; a leather dashboard; a specially tuned suspension system; sports brakes with black calipers; a sport differential; power folding side mirrors; a vertical quad exhaust system; roof rails in high gloss; a rear spoiler; an illuminated kidney grille; an aerodynamic kit; a carbon fiber trim; a cargo cover; navigation; Wi-Fi; wireless charging system; a radar activated cruise system;  a heads up display (HUD) system; a power tailgate; and a co pilot steering assist system

Options: a Bowers & Wilkens sound system; Night Gold metallic exterior trim and M Driver’s Package

Other Trim Levels:

XM Label Red

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with  a 464-watt amplifier with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty:  4 year or 50,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 4.4-liter, 8-cylinder/644-horsepower (hybrid powertrain)

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 73 MPGe/14 MPG

What’s New: The bold looking XM, with its stylish athletic appeal, is BMW’s all-new flagship crossover.

Why:

Both gasoline and electric

An electric driving range up to 37 miles, before the gasoline engine kicks in

Power 644-hp, V8 engine (standard)

The XM accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds

 A 738-hp XM Red Label is available, making it the most powerful BMW M road vehicle ever made

Three driving modes

Stylish athletic crossover

Supportive seating

Blue leather seats

Illuminated badging embedded in the seating interior

Orange and Black Merino leather seats available

An easy-to-use information center

Unlike numerous BMWs, the grille doesn’t overpower the vehicle

The infotainment system activates and deactivates upon locking and unlocking the doors

Rides on standard 23-inch wheels

22-inch wheels are optional

Heated/Cooled cupholders

Heated front seat armrests

Front massaging seats

A high end concert sounding audio system

Latest safety driving aids

A heads up display (HUD) system

Wireless device charging system

The rear wheels turn in the same or the opposite direction of the front wheels

Optional Night Gold Metallic exterior is highlighted in the grille’s outer border and diffuser elements at the rear

The interior of the headliner at night resembles that of a private jet on the inside

The interior lighting signals dynamic pulses signals an incoming call or highlights the risk of a potential collision when opening a door

Rear cushions available for the rear seating area

XM engine sound is perfectly tuned for performance.

Sensors and automation are used via the Parking Assistant Plus into and out of tight parking spaces

The standard Active Driving Assistant Professional system allows for hands free driving up to 85-mph

Factory customization is available for the BMW XM Label

But: 

Pricey

No sunroof

A radar-activated cruise control system is optioma

A firm riding suspension system due to it being a performance model for the brand

BMW should offer a non performance version of this model with less horsepower and a lower price point

Verdict:  With a starting price just shy of $160,000, the XM, BMW’s newest addition to the portfolio, is one of the most expensive vehicles the German brand has manufactured.

The stylish XM, with its rear-wheel drive platform and protruding 23-inch wheels, is a part of the brand’s performance division. In fact, the bold looking five passenger XM, with its athletic bulges and rear wheel steering, is one of a handful of BMWs whose signature kidney grille and razor thin headlights are proportioned to the front fascia. We must also note, the model we tested was adorned by a no cost optional gold package that literally wrapped around the vehicle. This feature literally added a dash of glitz to the bold exterior design, without taking away from it.

Underneath the hood of the brand’s flagship SUV is a monstrous 4.4-liter, 8-cylinder twin power turbo engine. The German luxury brand’s zippy hybrid plug-in, with its firm suspension system and booming exhaust system, spewed out a whopping 644-horsepower. Being that the performance-oriented XM is a plug-in, we were able to ink out a respectable driving range of 39 miles on a full charge, before the gasoline engine kicks in. The range we registered was significantly more than the 31 miles fueleconomy.gov documented.

Moreover, once inside the XM, one will immediately notice the wall-to-wall sports-oriented leather seating area. It was surrounded by an array of high-tech features embedded in the easy-to-use digital instrument panel and infotainment system. 

Coincidentally, as a substitute to a traditional sunroof, at night, BMW interior team designed a non-distracting light show embedded in the headliner similar to that found on many airplanes.

Overall, we were highly impressed by the all-new plug-in SUV. The XM is a standout on the road in terms of design and power. For those seeking to be behind the wheel of BMW’s fastest manufactured vehicle, a 738-horsepower trim is available, at approximately $186,000. Is it worth it? We’ll allow consumers to be the judge. In our opinion, the majority of the vehicles on the market are overpriced. We would prefer if developed a more economical flagship SUV based off the XM, but with less horsepower.