2025 BMW XM

How does the XM drive? Sticking an M badge on a BMW gives the vehicle a mountain of expectations to overcome. To some extent, the XM scales that mountain thanks in no large part to some impressive engineering. The XM manages to overcome its surprising three-ton curb weight by sprinting to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat and dashing through the quarter mile in 12.1 seconds at over 114 mph. To go faster still, opt for the 738-horsepower Label version of the XM (644 hp is standard). That hustled to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and blitzed the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at 121 mph.

But those numbers, as well as the 0.98 g we recorded on our skidpad and the 104-foot stopping distance from 60 mph, aren't much different from what you can achieve in a BMW X5 M. The XM's massive weight represents its biggest and most disappointing drawback.

As a plug-in hybrid, the XM can at times provide smooth application of both its electrical and gas engine power. We found the transitions between the two systems to be smoothest once up to speed but a bit too unrefined at lower speeds, especially when pulling away from a stop. Even with all of its impressive engineering, the XM seems to have narrow operating windows in which everything feels pretty good.

How comfortable is the XM? The sporting intentions of the XM conspire to nearly do in any attempt at being a luxury SUV. The steel springs used by BMW M performance engineers are so stiff as to absolutely ruin ride quality on anything other than a perfectly smooth surface. Things improve quite a bit at highway speeds, but the XM feels compromised because its massive weight requires a hard-riding suspension to keep body motions in check. Interior noise levels are also borderline unacceptable for a luxury SUV, with near constant tire roar and high levels of ambient road noise.

The front seats go a long way toward taking the edge off the XM's rigid ride. While they offer a wide range of adjustability and plush padding, they don't look or feel particularly special. Despite its length, the XM is only a two-row SUV. The rear seats sure look the part of a luxury SUV but lack any adjustability or meaningful support. Thankfully, the XM's climate control system has absolute control over the interior temperature, and the front seats offer massage, heating and ventilation functions. Massaging and ventilation features are conspicuously absent for the rear seats given the XM's luxury SUV aspirations.

How’s the interior? Any buyer familiar with the interior of a modern BMW, especially the X7, will notice many similarities in the XM. That overlap certainly helps improve the learning curve, but it also makes the XM feel a bit less special given its pricey nature. Thankfully, the XM gets BMW's newest iDrive system, which uses a menu structure and has easy-to-read graphics. It is brimming with information and adjustability. It may take a while to fully master, but most basic functions are easy to find.

Another similarity to the X7 is the ease of getting in and out. The XM's doors open wide and the seats offer no impediment to access. The rear seats are set very far back, so there's plenty of room to almost walk into the XM before turning around and dropping into the steeply raked seat. The driving position is something else the XM shares with the X7. It's more upright and elevated than you might expect, but the XM manages to look and feel smaller than it is once you're on the move. Our only gripe regarding outward visibility are the exterior mirrors, which are too small for such a large SUV.

How’s the storage? Even given the XM's length and the SUV's only two rows of seating, the cargo capacity behind those seats is relatively small. At 18.6 cubic feet the XM offers less cargo space than a Volkswagen Golf GTI (19.9 cubic feet), BMW X5 M (33.9 cubic feet) and the Lamborghini Urus (21.8 cubic feet). Further hampering the XM is a high load floor. It makes loading larger items, like a modern stroller, harder than it should be. Interior storage for front passengers is largely limited to the center console. The wireless charging pad and cupholders can be concealed under a retractable door, and the XM's door bins are sizable.

The plus side of the XM's relatively flat rear seats is how much easier that makes hooking up a child's seat. The generous legroom and wide door openings make it easy to load even the largest car seat, and anchor points are easy to access.

Is the XM a good value? Buyers looking to make a statement without leaving the comfort of a well-established brand like BMW are unlikely to complain about the overly stiff ride or some of the features the XM is lacking. But if you're cross-shopping the XM against a Mercedes-Benz GLS, a BMW X5 M or X6 M, the XM's value is dubious. It costs tens of thousands of dollars more and doesn't really provide much in return.

Warranties for the XM are fairly standard. BMW offers four years/50,000 miles of both bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage and extended roadside assistance for four years/unlimited mileage. Free scheduled maintenance is offered for three years/36,000 miles.

It's tough to know how to judge the XM. On one hand, because of its M brand pedigree, you have to judge it as a super sport SUV. In that respect it falls a little short of the mark, failing to even meet the performance of its X5 M stablemate. On the other hand are the XM's luxury aspirations. But those are scuppered by the XM's almost punishing ride quality and many shared interior parts from less special BMWs. But there's no denying the XM's massive presence, impressive chassis engineering and top-shelf infotainment system. The XM certainly has its moments ... but they can be fleeting.