BMW XM

Nothing quite prepares you for the visual assault that is the XM. It’s cliff-faced up front, with a TV-sized kidney grille that glows at night. Split headlights, a sculpted bonnet and contrast bumper panels only add to the drama. The tight glasshouse and lower roofline help distance the XM from the X5 and X7, and it stands proud on 22-inch rims, with 23s optional. The sharply cut tail-lights, vertically stacked exhausts and the absence of a tailgate logo (it’s etched on the windscreen instead) add flair. The XM is not classically beautiful, but it is massive on road presence.

The XM’s cabin blends quilted materials, vintage-look leather, Alcantara, and carbon fibre for a high-end feel. The front sport seats are superb, and the curved 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch display setup is new-age. The touchscreen is slick, but the climate control menus are intimidating. Enthusiasts will like the detailed vehicle settings and quick access M1 and M2 steering buttons.
The rear is spacious and luxurious, though visibility is restricted and there’s no sunroof. Instead, there’s an ambient-lit, dramatically angled headliner that adds to the lounge-like feel.

The XM’s plug-in hybrid setup combines a 4.4-litre V8 and a 197hp electric motor for 653hp and 800Nm. Electric-only mode is brisk and silent, but the engine often kicks in too eagerly. Performance is strong (0-100kph in 4.4s), but not class-leading. The X5 M is quicker, raising questions about the need for the added weight of hybrid tech.

Being a plug-in hybrid, the XM can deliver big fuel economy, if driven carefully. While the official 61.9kpl economy will be hard to replicate in real world driving conditions, the electric motor can keep overall fuel economy in the double digits. BMW claims an EV-only range of 88km for the XM.  

It corners flat, steers well and grips hard, but the XM’s size and weight are always apparent. The low-profile tyres follow road grooves, and the steel springs don’t deliver the plushness expected at this price.

The XM is loaded with features including ventilated, massaging seats, soft-close doors, a 1,475W Bowers & Wilkins audio system and auto parking. Safety kit includes six airbags, electronic aids and ADAS features like lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. A spare tyre is a notable omission.

The XM has visual drama and an opulent cabin but lacks purity as a driver’s SUV. It tries to do too much and ends up being neither the best performer nor the most comfortable luxury SUV for the money. There are better ways to spend Rs 2.6 crore (ex-showroom) on a car.