Name: BMW XM (2023 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW XM
Rating: 54.0

Summary

The BMW XM is a large high-performance SUV and the most powerful car ever produced by the German brand’s ‘M’ sub-division. Unveiled at the end of 2022, the SUV is now available to order in the UK.

Powered by a petrol plug-in hybrid 644hp 4.4-litre engine that can muster up to 55 miles of travel on just electric power, the XM is the first car entirely developed by BMW’s M division since 1978, and unfortunately, British reviewers almost conclusively agree that its engineers missed the mark.

Evo‘s James Taylor argues that the XM offers “the weakest driving experience of the current M range”, while Parker‘s Georg Kacher concludes that the car is “not as practical, not as comfortable and not as easy to live with” as many of its rivals.

At least “you can’t see the exterior from inside”, says Andy Brady of Heycar. The SUV’s eye-catching looks have split reviewer opinion, with most siding on the side of disappointment.

Its driving dynamics have not fostered much praise either. “Driving the beastly XM confirms what its styling suggests”, suggests Autocar‘s Richard Lane, “that this car lacks authenticity or at least any real purpose beyond shock and awe.”

As of December 2024, the BMW XM holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 54%. Although it scores top marks for its CO₂ emissions (laughable in the real world, but a result of flawed UK/EU testing methodology), the XM scores poorly everywhere else – with the caveat that we don’t have safety or reliability data at this time.

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XM highlights

The most powerful BMW ever sold
Quiet driving experience
Competitive plug-in hybrid battery range

XM lowlights

…But not as quick as other M models
Polarising looks
Very expensive
Punishing ride comfort

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV
Engines: petrol
Price: From £148,060 on-road

Launched: Spring 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“A car that we have to mark up as a rather uninvolving triumph of oneupmanship – perfect for China and the Middle East, but probably best ignored by M devotees in the UK.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review

Score: 5 / 10
“If you want proof of how hard it is to overcome the laws of physics, it’s right here. The BMW XM might have the technical numbers to live up to its M division badge, and its Marmite looks will (probably) appeal to some as much as they revolt others. But the on-road experience is a world away from anything that’s come before with M; even the likes of the X5 M offer more fun and feel than you’ll find here.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“If you like the looks, the status and the execution, the most controversial M car to date ticks all the right boxes, albeit at a sky-high price. Dynamically though, the X5 M Competition is the more compelling choice.”
Author: Georg Kacher
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The first M-exclusive car since the M1, the XM features the same high-powered V8 as the upcoming endurance race car, but its looks are certainly divisive.”
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“BMW M’s new flagship is its most powerful model ever, but it’s also the weakest driving experience of the current M range.”
Author: James Taylor
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW XM is the first ever hybrid M car. It’s a technical tour de force of an SUV, combining a huge V8 engine with an electric motor and a battery big enough to provide an electric-only range of up to 55 miles. Its bold looks are proving controversial, though, and its £145k price tag will win it even fewer fans.”
Author: Andy Brady
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“While it is advanced and powerful, it’s slower than alternatives such as the BMW X5 M Competition – a car that’ll set you back a significant five-figure sum less than the XM. It’s also not as practical, not as comfortable and not as easy to live with as many a rival.”
Author: Georg Kacher
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“The BMW XM is not only expensive to buy and run, it’s also uncouth, not particularly good to drive and it looks like a four-wheeled sweet left on the radiator. It doesn’t feel like an M car should (deceptively fast, with nuanced power delivery, fine handling and highly unobtrusive looks) – in fact, it’s a direct opposite, it shouts: ‘Look at meeeeee!'”
Author: Andrew English
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“BMW’s Icarus moment. The XM tries to be a luxury SUV and an ultimate M car with a hybrid conscience, but fails to convince as a whole.”
Author: Ollie Kew
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of December 2024, the BMW XM has not been tested by Euro NCAP. Due to its expensive price tag, it isn’t likely to ever be tested.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW XM has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW XM to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the XM, we’ll publish the score here.