BMW XM is the most Powerful car ever manufactured German car manufacturers‘S M Division. For those who don’t know, the M models are known to be the high-end, sportier variants based on the standard vehicles in the company’s portfolio. It is also the most powerful BMW available for sale today, but power is not the only thing that matters. It is priced at Rs 2.6 crore, ex-showroom. Plug-in hybrid SUV brings some surprising options, like a sunroof and the omission of a air suspensionHowever, the main question here is: does the XM really deserve the coveted M badge? So let’s take a look.
BMW XM design: either love or hate
When it comes to design, the BMW XM is not winning any beauty contests. It is a polarising design that could win a best participation award at best. However, it is impossible to ignore. Sharp cuts, creases and attractive shapes give the XM a big presence on the road. In our opinion, the design bit is a little overdone here, but still – this is a really loud vehicle, and if that is what you like, the XM is great.
BMW XM review India: Does it deserve the M badge or not? | TOI Auto
One of the key features of this SUV’s ‘shiny’ design is its grille. How about it? Well, the trademark kidney-grille now shines with LED DRLs, adding to the SUV’s stunning aesthetics that remain consistent throughout. On the sides, you get 22-inch alloy wheels (with an option for a gold finish), a rising belt line, a scooped roofline and sleek tail lamps. You add all of these up and it makes for a design that is busy from every angle. That being said, it may not be the most appealing design, but it does make you like it and after a week of driving the XM, we liked it a little more than at first glance.
BMW XM Cabin: Luxurious, but without the M!
Step inside the XM and you’ll find an interior that’s sure to leave you curious, just like its exterior. For a car developed by the M Division, it looks surprisingly consistent Luxury SUV more than one Display MachineThe dashboard layout is attractive with a mix of colours, materials and metal. It has a large 14.9-inch curved screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The M steering wheel is fantastic, with carbon fibre paddle shifters and plenty of M badging throughout the cabin, which tries to remind you of its performance intentions. Also, the seats are well designed, made of luxurious materials and offer good support and comfort. It also includes a Bowers & Wilkins sound system which adds to the premium quality of the cabin. Also, there is a contoured lighting effect on the roof, which continues with the ‘bling’ theme. It’s great, but does it scream “M”? Absolutely not.
At the back, you get great seats with excellent cushioning, under-thigh support and plenty of headroom and legroom despite the coupe-like roofline. It’s comfortable and plush, almost rivalling BMW’s best luxury models, but still, it doesn’t have the sporty essence you’d expect from an M Division car.
BMW XM: Performance, Comfort and Verdict!
The XM is all about power. This massive SUV gets its power from a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged engine V8 Engine Paired with a 25.7 kWh lithium-ion battery electric motorAs a plug-in hybrid, it offers an electric-only range of around 60 kilometres – great for city commutes or daily office commutes. It takes around 4 hours to fully charge it using a charger. Regenerative braking also helps keep the battery topped up while on the go.
Driving the XM in pure electric mode feels like you’re driving a regular EV, which means it’s quiet and smooth. It can go above India’s legal highway speed of 120 kmph in pure electric mode and still accelerate at a good pace. But that’s not the reason you’d buy an M car, is it? And that’s where the XM’s M buttons come in handy. Once toggled on, you’re greeted by the roar of the V8 engine and the vertically stacked quad tailpipes. It’s loud, it’s dramatic, and it certainly lets everyone know that you’re driving an M car. However, the driving dynamics cause some confusion. The electric motor and the V8 don’t always work seamlessly, leading to moments of noticeable delay when switching from electric to petrol power.
The XM comes with coil springs instead of air suspension, unlike its rivals. According to BMW, this choice is to improve handling. True to its word, the XM handles remarkably well for a 2.7-tonne SUV. Body roll is minimal, and it feels surprisingly agile around corners thanks to its stiff suspension setup. But this comes at the cost of ride comfort. Even in Comfort mode, the XM feels quite stiff, making it less comfortable than other luxury SUVs in its segment.
The BMW XM has tried to do it all by combining performance, luxury and electrification. However, it looks a bit confusing. On one hand, it has the raw power and handling nuances that you would expect from an M car. On the other hand, the overly busy design, more luxury in the cabin than sporty intent and the absence of air suspension make you question what exactly it wants to be. Compared to its rivals, the XM does not fully commit to a single identity. Being developed by the M division, you would expect top-level performance from the XM. While it offers power, it is not entirely performance-focused, neither is it entirely a luxury SUV. It is a bit of a mix and if you can live with it, the XM is definitely fun to drive
