2023 BMW XM test drive review

Plug-in hybrids can run solely on electrons during the week for short commutes (provided you keep the battery charged) and still have the freedom and flexibility to take those longer road trips without mapping out every charging station along the way. But there’s another reason why plug-in hybrids are so popular: performance. When you combine the punchy acceleration of an electric motor with the power of an internal combustion engine, you get the best of both worlds. 

One of the newest members to the plug-in hybrid family is the BMW XM, the most powerful Beemer on the market (for now). Does this hulking plug-in hybrid SUV live up to its M performance roots and is it worth the eye-popping price tag? Shop hybrid BMW listings.

Price and value 

The 2023 BMW XM is available only in one trim, but a “Label Red” version is coming for the 2024 model year. The starting MSRP for the XM is $159,000 and the Label Red is rumored to be close to $185,000, though BMW hasn’t officially announced pricing information for the new trim. Expect that later this year. Here’s a glimpse at what the XM offers — and how the Label Red compares.

BMW XM: $159,000

• 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 paired with an electric motor 

• 8-speed automatic transmission 

• 644 horsepower, 590 pound-feet of torque

• eDrive modes: Hybrid, Electric and eControl

• 22- or 23-inch M wheels

• Merino leather

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Harman Kardon surround audio system

• Surround-view camera with 3D view

• Heated and massaging front seats, armrests and steering wheel

BMW XM Label Red: Pricing TBD 

• 738 horsepower, 738 pound-feet of torque

• Exclusive 22-inch M wheels with red accents

• Red and black Merino leather with red stitching and accents

Our 2023 XM tester came with a Bowers & Wilkins sound system and the M Driver’s Package (which increases the car’s top speed), bringing the grand total with destination fees to $165,895. Personally, I’d be fine skipping those add-ons — but if you’re already spending $160k, the difference is negligible. The price tag does put the XM a bit out of reach for the average buyer, though the exclusivity is no doubt part of the appeal. BMW is aiming for those who want the distinction of driving their most powerful vehicle to date and there are many diehards out there who’ll happily pay the price to do it. Shop hybrid BMW listings.

Performance 

As the second stand-alone car to come from BMW M in several decades, performance expectations are understandably high. The hybrid powertrain definitely kicks things up a notch, making it fun to mash the throttle and rip around corners. Even if it’s not the absolute fastest plug-in hybrid SUV out there, its numbers are still impressive.

Engine and drivetrain

The 4.4-liter V8 combined with the electric motor puts out a combined 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor integrates into an eight-speed automatic transmission and power is all-wheel drive, so you don’t have to worry about slipping around in this 2-ton cruiser.

Fuel efficiency and battery range

When it’s solely relying on gas, the XM averages about 14 mpg on the road for combined city/highway driving, which isn’t surprising for a car of its size. But with a full battery charge, this plug-in hybrid gets a 46 mpg-equivalent and roughly 31 miles of pure electric range if you slip it into electric mode. 

That said, you’ll definitely want to invest in a Level 2 charger if you plan on saving as much gas as possible. On a 120-volt outlet, the battery takes 21 hours to reach 100%. A fast charger cuts the time down to just over three hours. When we charged the XM at home for six hours on a 120-volt outlet, battery power reached 25% — which we quickly ate up in about seven miles. 

Acceleration and handling 

According to BMW, the XM accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. But that number seems conservative because Car and Driver reported 0-60 acceleration in just 3.8 seconds. We never performed a timed test, but there was no question that the XM could launch up to speed in what felt like no time at all. The hard part was adhering to those posted limits since 50 mph in the XM easily feels like 35 in a regular car.

Braking 

For a 6,000-pound vehicle, the XM had no trouble coming to a quick stop when needed. The brakes weren’t overly sensitive or squishy, which we appreciated. Shop hybrid BMW listings.

Interior comfort and convenience 

Once you move inside the belly of the XM, you get the sense that you’ve entered an exclusive nightclub thanks mostly to a very large Alcantara headliner with geometric prism shapes and M-themed lighting. Given that BMW refers to the second row as the “M Lounge,” this must be exactly what they want you to feel. Luxurious. Swanky. Exclusive. Cool. 

Seats 

It’s hard to criticize the front seats given that they’re heated, ventilated and fully adjustable. They are even capable of giving you a massage if you need one. Basically, those seats do everything short of driving the car for you. 

The second row seats were plush and accommodating as well and even came with a couple throw pillows for added comfort. Three average-sized adults could reasonably fit in the back without feeling too cramped thanks to ample head and leg room. The second row seats are heated — but not ventilated. At $160k, you’d think that little luxury would be a given.

Climate control 

Having driven the XM in mostly warmer weather, I was pleased with how responsive the air-conditioning was. I wish there would have been physical buttons to control the fan speed (you have to use the touch screen up front) but that’s just a personal preference. You can also use the voice-activated virtual assistant to adjust the temperature for you, if you’re feeling fancy. 

Cargo space and cabin storage 

If there’s a car with more passenger door bin space than the BMW XM, I have yet to see it. In that second row, there was enough space for your Stanley mug, a water bottle and one or two tablets, depending on how large they are. As far as storage up front goes, the center console bin is just about the only place to put your stuff.

With the seats up in the back, you get 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space or 64.3 cubic feet with the seats down. Instead of carving out some under storage for the charging cable, BMW decided to let it ride along in style inside a large and fashionable zippered bag that your suitcases will envy. Unless you don’t care about keeping your XM charged up on the go, you’ll have to factor the bag into your total cargo space. 

Infotainment system 

The curved display connects the digital gauge cluster with the infotainment screen and while it’s easy on the eyes, I’ll admit — I got a bit overwhelmed by the number of apps to scroll through. BMW’s latest iDrive 8 technology powered the infotainment system and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as SiriusXM satellite radio and a WiFi hotspot. The upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system on our tester did a fine job of amplifying the Hans Zimmer tracks we listened to after learning that the Academy Award-winning composer was responsible for creating the XM’s electrified “soundtrack.” (The XM is just one of the BMWs to which Zimmer has loaned his talents.)

Exterior appearance and functionality 

The BMW XM is not the type of car you drive if you want to maintain a low profile. (BMW even admitted that the goal was for the exterior to turn heads.) That polarizing kidney grille and muscular body frame almost makes it look like the emoji that blows steam out of its nose. It’s bold, it’s aggressive and it’s slightly intimidating. But its statement-making style also grows on you. 

Wheels 

You can get either 22-inch or 23-inch light alloy wheels on the XM and ours was equipped with the former, though I’m not sure it made a significant difference. While the big wheels make it look tough and sporty, that doesn’t exactly translate to a soft, quiet ride. I was never uncomfortable in the XM, but I was a little surprised at how noticeable the bumps on the road were.

Lights and turn signals 

As much as the kidney grille divides opinions, there’s no denying that it looks pretty cool lit up at night. I also loved how the grille combines with daytime running lights to give the XM a panther-like expression. The adaptive LED headlights provided ample visibility and the turn signals functioned as expected. 

Front and Rear Windshield 

For being such a big car, I was grateful that visibility out front was pretty good on the XM. The rear windshield is a slightly different story. Depending on how tall your rear seat occupants are, seeing out the back could prove challenging. I think a digital rearview mirror would’ve definitely come in handy here, but BMW stuck with a rearview camera. 

Cameras and side mirrors 

Maybe I just wasn’t used to the XM’s size, but on more than one occasion I had trouble clearly seeing my parking lines and wound up having to repark. Other than that, all cameras and mirrors appeared to work fine. Shop hybrid BMW listings.

Safety 

As with any new vehicle, the 2023 BMW XM comes with a good assortment of standard safety features. These included:

• Active blind spot detection

• Front collision warning

• Lane departure warning

• Traffic jam assistant

• Surround-view camera system

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection

• Available adaptive cruise control and lane centering

Awards and ratings 

As of this writing, the 2023 BMW XM has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Final impression 

The 2023 BMW XM may raise a few eyebrows — especially when it comes to the price. The inevitable question is whether or not this performance-oriented, plug-in hybrid SUV is worth upwards of $160k, even with its prestigious M heritage. For me, the answer would be no. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy driving it. Given the opportunity, I’d happily hop behind the wheel again! For all its flaws, it’s definitely not boring. It’s just not for me. But for drivers who want something supremely unique that stands out from the crowd, the XM is worth a look.

FAQs 

How many miles of pure electric range does the BMW XM get? 

According to BMW, the XM gets up to 31 miles of electric range. 

How long does it take to charge the BMW XM?

The window sticker states that the XM will charge in seven hours on a 230-volt outlet. On a Level 2 charger, BMW says it takes approximately three hours and 15 minutes. 

What is the XM’s top speed?

The top speed is 155 mph unless you choose the M Driver’s Package, which bumps it to 168 mph. 

Search for the 2023 BMW XM and other new or used vehicles on KSL Cars.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.