Starting at $162,000
The imposing presence barreling towards you on the freeway, characterized by a formidable grille, is not a character out of a Peppa Pig episode but is the 2025 BMW XM. This new entrant in the plug-in hybrid market boasts a robust combination of performance and opulence. Though it falls slightly short of embodying the pinnacle of its segment, it nevertheless impresses with its potent mix of a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and an advanced plug-in hybrid setup. The result is a substantial 644 horsepower for the base model, with the high-performance XM Label variant dialling that figures up to an exhilarating 738 horsepower.
All XM models will now come with the Highway Assistant as a standard offering, enhancing the BMW Driving Assistance Professional Package. This cutting-edge system supports hands-free driving at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour on designated highways and incorporates an innovative eye-activated lane change function.
While the 4.4-litre V-8 twin-turbocharged engine has been part of BMW's lineup before, the XM brings something new to the table with its hybrid configuration that pairs this potent engine with an electric motor and a battery pack. This combination delivers a formidable 644 horsepower. The XM is outfitted with a coil-spring suspension enhanced by adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars to achieve greater control. Although the overall ride quality falls short of impeccable, it reaches a reasonable level of comfort in the comfort mode setting. Switching to sport mode sharpens the XM's handling prowess but at the expense of a stiffer ride quality.
Boasting a 25.7-kWh battery pack, the XM promotes an electric-only range of approximately 30 miles on a single charge—a figure we almost reached during our tests, covering 29 miles until the battery was exhausted. BMW claims the XM's built-in charger has a 7.4 kilo-watt capacity, promising a full charge from zero to 100 per cent in just over three hours.
A sweeping display dominates the dashboard, extending over two-thirds of its width. This versatile screen doubles as a digital gauge for the driver and a central hub for entertainment, powered by BMW's most recent iteration of their iDrive 8.5 system. The convenience of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto comes built-in, and the suite of amenities rounds out with SiriusXM satellite radio, an in-built Wi-Fi hotspot, and a top-tier sound system, all fitted as standard.
