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Buckle up because the BMW XM is coming in hot. This luxury SUV sets itself apart with a brand-new design that promotes the future of BMW and electric power. It pushes the envelope with comfort and style but raises tons of questions. So here are a few answers to the most popular 2023 BMW XM questions.

What’s so special about the 2023 BMW XM?

The 2023 BMW XM with gold trim
2023 BMW XM | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit

The 2023 BMW XM represents where the brand is going with a new exterior style and modern interior, and it’s the first M hybrid vehicle. It enters supercar territory with twin-turbo power, and M Sport upgrades for a thrilling experience. 

It has an aggressive and athletic design with massive grille openings, a sloping fastback roof, and stacked tailpipes that are hard to miss. Even if you don’t like its style, it turns heads and gets attention. 

Seriously, it’s hard to travel anywhere without being noticed. But at least there are an array of adjustable settings to keep your entire family happy as you escape the crowds. Here’s what people asked us the most during our week with this beautiful beast. 

1. Is the 2023 BMW XM fully electric? 

The 2023 BMW XM near a charging cable
2023 BMW XM | BMW

No, the 2023 BMW XM isn’t fully electric. It’s a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), so it uses a combination of gas and electric power. You can use gas, rely solely on the electric charge, or use a hybrid blend of both. 

The XM has an EPA-estimated range of 30 miles per charge. With gas and electricity, it gets about 46 MPGe. But while only using gas, it gets an EPA-estimated 13 mpg in the city and up to 18 mpg on the highway. 

Luckily the average person travels under 30 miles a day during the week, so you can depend on electric power. The battery can be fully recharged in roughly three hours. It can be plugged in at home with a 120-volt outlet and comes with a charging cable. 

2. How much power does the BMW XM have? 

The 2023 BMW XM hybrid powertrain
2023 BMW XM engine | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit

The BMW XM packs a punch with a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that’s paired with an electric motor to generate 644 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD is standard. 

According to Car and Driver, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.7 seconds. We found that it has more than enough power to merge into traffic and pass others. But the accelerator can be sensitive, so press it lightly. 

It has a top speed of 155 mpg, but adding the available M Driver’s Package boosts it up to 168 mph. Also, it can go up to 87 mph in fully electric mode. 

3. What tires does the BMW XM have?

The 2023 XM rides on massive 23-inch alloy wheels that can be finished in gold. Our model had mixed-perf tires. For BMW, mixed means staggered, so the tires in the rear are wider than the ones in the front. 

Perf refers to performance for performance summer tires instead of all-season options. They’re non-RTF tires, meaning non-run flat tires. They’re more affordable and provide a better performance over potholes and bumps. 

4. How big is the back seat in the BMW XM? 

The 2023 BMW XM backseat or M Lounge
2023 BMW XM backseat | BMW

The BMW XM has a massive back seat that’s perfect for taller adults. Three adults can fit in the rear, but it has the design of a relaxing lounge for two. The seat bottoms are angled in a way to enhance comfort, and the seat backs have a relaxed angle. 

There’s tons of legroom and headspace for stretching out with multiple USB C ports to take advantage of. The seat pockets and door pockets are massive for storing personal items. Plus, there are plush lumbar support pillows that could be used for napping. 

5. What does the M mean with BMW XM? 

The 2023 BMW XM is the first M Hybrid vehicle
2023 BMW XM | Allison Barfield, MotorBiscuit

The M with 2023 BMW XM stands for motorsport and was used to refer to BMW’s racing program. Now it represents higher trim levels with racing upgrades for the engine, suspension, dynamics, chassis, brakes, and driving mode. 

Our XM model features the M Sport differential, breaks M xDrive AWD system, extra power, and a spintronic differential. The M Driver’s package can be added for $2,500 and features interior badging and luxurious comfort upgrades. 

Plus, the package comes with a high-performance driving class at a BMW Performance Center. Taking this class to learn all about your car sounds like a pretty good idea. The settings can be a little confusing at first. 

6. Does the BMW XM have a nice interior? 

The 2023 BMW XM interior with the dash
2023 BMW XM interior | Allison Barfield, Motorbiscuit

Of course, the 2023 BMW XM interior is ultra-luxurious, with three-dimensional diamond quilting that extends to the door panels, premium Merino leather upholstery, plush velour carpeting, carbon fiber trim, and illuminated headrest badging. 

The three-dimensional prism sculptural Alcantara headliner with fiber optic illumination draws the eye. Plus, the two-tone leather designs with accent stitching are modern and attractive. The ambient lighting is customizable but can be linked to different driving modes. 

Also, the dash and other surfaces are covered in Nappa leather. The front seats are heated, ventilated, and massaging too. However, we found the massagers to be a little soft. That said, these massagers are comfortably hidden away while they stick out uncomfortably in rivals like the Lincoln Aviator. 

7. What colors does the 2023 BMW XM come in?

The 2023 BMW XM driving down the road
2023 BMW XM | BMW

Our BMW XM is pretty striking with its shade of Cape York Green Metallic paint and NightGold Metallic trim. You don’t have to be this flashy. If you don’t opt for the gold, the then trim is finished in black. However, the 2024 BMW XM Label Red model has a red trim finish. 

The XM is available in shades of Carbon Black Metallic, Black Saphire Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Marina Blue Bay Metallic, Dravit Grey Metallic, and Toronto Red Metallic. 

Overall the BMW XM is a lot to take in as the trendsetter for many future advancements. Stay tuned to learn about the pros and cons in our upcoming full-length review.