What are the upper limits of performance? One might assume the German auto manufacturer is trying to find out with the development of the 2024 BMW XM.
How’s this for performance? The Red Label version of the XM was introduced this year. Buckle up tight in the Red Label because this plug-in hybrid, luxury SUV has tons of giddy up. It comes with a twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V-8 that’s paired with a high-performance electric motor to generate a staggering 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.
The XM Label can cover 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which is alarmingly quick for a vehicle that weighs a hefty 6,094 pounds. It tops out at 155 mph and the M driver package lifts the speed to 175 mph. It’s so exclusive that BMW produced only 500 Red Labels this year.
If that power seems a bit excessive, the standard BMW XM engine is scaled back some, but not that much. It’s a twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V-8 that’s paired with an electric motor to produce 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It’s no slouch off the line either, clocked at 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Both versions of the XM have standard all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The plug-in hybrid SUV has a range of 31 miles, so it can serve as a work vehicle for someone who lives close by. It has a 25.7 kwh battery pack that can be charged to 100 percent in around three hours.
Before we go any further in detailing the XM brand, cost should be revealed. It’s a whopping $159,000 for the standard model and rises to $185,000 for the Red Label. Those price tags are likely hard to swallow when matched up against the XM competition. It’s clearly not for everyone, evidenced by XM sales of 1,906 in its debut year of 2023.
BMW would argue the price isn’t overly exorbitant because the XM has many high-end qualities. The SUV offers clever engineering, an excellent infotainment system, lots of high-tech features, massive exterior styling (that not everyone will love), and the latest driver-assistance safety systems.
Besides the obvious – cost – we found fault with the XM because the engine was annoyingly loud at lower speeds, most notably when pulling away from a standing stop. The ride is also stiff and didn’t give us a true feel for the road that one expects with a luxury SUV.
Driver safety features are impressive, and included forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, lane change assistance, surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and semi-automated parking system.
AT A GLANCE – 2024 BMW XM
- Performance: electric motor, twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V-8, 644 horsepower; high-performance electric motor, twin turbocharged 4.4-liter, V-8, 738 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 12-17 mpg
- Price estimate: $159,000 to $185,000
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; Drivetrain: 4 years/50,000 miles; Roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; Corrosion: 12 years/unlimited
We were a little perplexed that despite its sizable length, the XM only has two rows and seats five passengers. However, that length does make for some very comfortable seating. The front seats are luxurious with lots of padding and excellent leg and head room. The seats come with massage, heating and ventilation selections.
The second seating is so roomy that one could practically walk into the XM. Head and leg room are considerable, but it’s perplexing why there’s no upscale features like heating and seat adjusting. Cargo space is less than anticipated at 18.6 cubic feet and 64.27 cubes with the second row folded down.
The XM comes equipped with the latest BMW iDrive system that’s stocked with information that will take a while to master on the touchscreen. It also has a voice-activated system that can be helpful in changing things like climate control settings. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless and there’s both wireless and USB-C charging.
Considering its monumental sticker shock, even with excessive performance it’s hard for us to recommend purchasing the 2024 BMW XM.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.
