2026 BMW XM Engine, Interior, Redesign
2026 BMW XM Engine, Interior, Redesign – The wild-looking 2026 BMW XM is the first vehicle of its kind. It’s the first dedicated M vehicle with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, and that’s important because this sub-brand’s vehicles represent the pinnacle of performance for BMW. While a big and heavy SUV with a plug might not at first blush be top of mind when thinking of the automaker’s storied M division, as the very nature of performance changes and electrification becomes the norm
Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
The sport seats are supremely comfortable and offer loads of support, but they are so generously bolstered that it can be a bit tricky for shorter people to enter and exit this high-riding SUV. The cabin is roomy for all occupants, and everyone has all the comfort features BMW has to offer.
The biggest issue affecting comfort is how stiffly sprung the XM is. Even in its most relaxed setting every single bump and crack in the road can be felt and heard, so it’s jarring and uncomfortable, which feels unbecoming of a luxury vehicle. The combination of the stiff suspension, massive wheels, and super low-profile performance tires means the XM feels unnecessarily punishing for a vehicle that’s already so compromised.
Again, for a sports car, it would be entirely forgivable, but an SUV has to have some semblance of comfort, even if it is an M product. I wish BMW used its incredible air suspension in the XM, which I loved in the gas-powered X7 SUV for its versatility.
2026 BMW XM Specs
The XM is loaded with all the dazzling tech, comfort, and luxury features you’d expect at this price and for a flagship BMW. Everything from massaging and ventilated front seats, seat heaters front and rear, heated front armrests, a head-up display, heated and cooled cup holders, a fancy sound system, customizable ambient lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a drive recorder, parking assistants, a wireless phone charger, and more are included.
Engine and Performance
The 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine is the foundation of the powertrain, which also includes an electric motor and a battery with about 20 kWh of useable energy. An eight-speed gearbox transfers the 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Standard equipment includes all-wheel drive. According to official ratings, this monster SUV can go from zero to one hundred kilometers per hour in a just 4.3 seconds.
The XM is brutally fast in a straight line and even sounds pretty awesome, though much of the noise is synthetically generated. Even so, BMW’s twin-turbo V8 is one of the smoothest and beefiest around, and when augmented by the PHEV components, it’s pretty much perfect.
2026 BMW XM Fuel Economy
Fully charged, the BMW XM can drive about 50 km on battery power alone. Officially, the XM’s fuel economy is rated at 5.1 Le/100 km when driven on electricity but a high 17.2 L/100 km combined with the twin-turbo V8 alone. During my time with it, I was able to charge it fully three times, and after about 655 km of mixed testing, the XM returned 11.8 L/100 km, which is excellent considering its size and purpose. I recommend charging this SUV as much as possible to get the most from its powertrain.
I drove it predominantly in the default hybrid mode, where the SUV decides when to use electric power, the V8, or both. Drivers can also use electric vehicle (EV) mode to drive on battery power alone at speeds as fast as 140 km/h, or the so-called eControl mode, which uses the V8 as much as possible to preserve battery power or charge it for later. Of the 655 km I drove, 178 km was on EV power alone.
2026 BMW XM Safety Features
A plethora of sophisticated safety and driver aid systems are included on the BMW XM, but I’ve had more than one instance where they falsely warned me of impending danger. In the course of my evaluation, I encountered a few of such sporadic problems with the XM’s safety features.
The BMW XM benefits from the brand’s latest infotainment system, which happens to be one of the most intuitive available. The menus are logical, it doesn’t take too many distracting taps to complete a task, and everything is mostly where you expect it to be. There are three main ways to interact with it: via the responsive touchscreen, the rotary dial/touchpad near the gear selector, and through voice commands and hand gestures.
I’m not a fan of the gear selector itself; I find it finicky and not intuitive to use. My other complaint is that visibility while driving isn’t great. There are huge blind spots everywhere that makes manoeuvring through parking garages and tight city streets a bit nerve-wracking.
2026 BMW XM Price and Release Date
The XM is the most expensive vehicle BMW currently offers. Sitting at the very top of the lineup, the XM starts at a staggering $220,000 before options, the $2,480 destination fee, $22,325 luxury tax, and other levies and fees. The problem here is that when something costs this much, my expectations are sky high. I’ve driven BMWs and Alpinas that cost less money yet feel more focused. If you’re buying for flash factor and straight-line speed, then this BMW is worth every penny, but if you’re buying for performance or luxury, there are other vehicles – both inside and outside of the BMW lineup – that do a more convincing job while costing less.
The 2026 BMW XM is an expression of joy, luxury, technology, and performance, but for something with an M badge on it, it feels like it’s not as focused as it needs to be – especially at this price point. Because it needs to fulfill the requirements of being both a hardcore performance vehicle and a lavish luxury SUV, it ends up not doing either to perfection.
