The 2024 BMW XM represents the ultimate expression of BMW SUV performance, combining the brute force of a V8 with efficient plug-in hybrid technology.
Positioned at the very top of BMW’s SUV hierarchy, the XM Label Red pushes the limits in both luxury and power for the brand – it is the most powerful model ever offered in the showroom.
While the thought-provoking design might not suit everyone’s taste, this high-tech machine is aimed squarely at buyers seeking something that blends elite luxury, exclusivity, and outrageous speed and power.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Specifications
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Electrical: 29.5kWh battery, 145kW/280Nm e-motor
Output (combined): 550kW / 1000Nm
Gearbox: Eight-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering
Wheels: F: 22×10, 275/40 R: 22×11, 315/35
ANCAP: Not tested
Kerb weight: 2720kg
Power-to-weight: 4.94:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 2.7L/100km
Our consumption: 9.7L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 69L/98 RONPower efficiency: 203.70kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.11 seconds*
0-100km/h: 3.85 seconds*
0-200km/h: 12.19 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.25 seconds*
1/4 mile: 11.86 seconds at 197.7km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.057g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.77m in 3.07 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.345g*
Decibel at idle: 53*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 92*
Starting price: $349,900
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: How much does it cost?
With so many claims to fame, the XM is not cheap. Prices start from $302,200 for the standard XM, which produces 480kW. Turning up to octane, the XM Label, with its 550kW output, is priced from $344,200.
However, if you were one of the lucky ones to get your hands on the Label Red Edition (as tested), of which only 500 were made, prices started from $349,900. It has since sold out. Reverting to the XM Label gets you the same package, pretty much, aside from red highlights and other bits and pieces presented with the Red Edition.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Interior & packaging
Step into the XM Label Red Edition and you’re immediately greeted by a very lavish interior brimming with high-end materials and cutting-edge technology. BMW has gone all out with a mix of Merino leather, extending to the door cards and pillars, with carbon fibre accents scattered around, and red trims that give the SUV a venomous feel.
The cabin is opulent and modern, with plenty of visual drama going on to justify the price and its top position in BMW’s foodchain, especially with the exclusive red stitching and ambient lighting that can be adjusted to match your mood. Speaking of lighting, there’s a unique ring light for the sculpted ceiling that can be adjusted as well, making it feel like the roof is floating.
As the centrepiece of the interior, BMW’s expansive Curved Display is featured on the dash, housing both a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The system runs on BMW’s iDrive 8, which is as fast and intuitive as ever, offering a suite of customisable areas, wireless connectivity, and a voice-activated assistant.
Physical buttons are few and far between, which can be annoying while driving as you need to dig (sometimes deep) into the screen to find things, but most functions are easily accessible through the hand controller or using gestures thanks to its smart technology; you can literally spin your finger around in front of the screen to turn the volume up/down, without touching the screen. While tech-savvy drivers will appreciate this futuristic approach, some may miss the traditional, tactile controls found in older models.
Seating is as luxurious as you’d expect, with heated, ventilated, and massaging options available for the front occupants. A perfect driving position with heaps of adjustment range ensures this remains as a driver’s vehicle at heart.
Second row passengers are presented with limousine-like space and ambience, especially with that ceiling lighting. The rear seats are sculpted to provide lateral support, and the seatback is recessed well behind the C-pillar, making it feel like you’re stepping back into the cabin, like a limo, optimising privacy.
Boot space is reasonable for a high-performance SUV, but the XM’s sloping roofline means it falls behind some rivals in outright volume. It’s rated at 527L, which is less than a BMW X3 (550L), expanding to 1820L with the rear seats folded. The skid-resistant metal ‘claws’ on the back are a nice touch as they reduce wear and tear but also go well with the angry demon theme.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Powertrain & handling
One of the main attractions here is the powertrain. This is the same package that powers the new M5, arriving in Australia in Q4 of this year. The system combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 430kW/750Nm alone, with a 145kW/280Nm electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Together, this plug-in hybrid package produces a mind-blowing 550kW and 1000Nm, making it the most powerful road car in BMW’s lineup. As we’ve seen, stock 480kW XM’s have produced 458kW at the wheels on a dyno. So as you’d expect, performance is nothing short of breathtaking. Despite tipping the scales at 2720kg (kerb), the XM Label Red offers a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds.
On a private road with a Vbox, this test vehicle was able to cover 0-100km/h in 3.85 seconds, 0-200km/h in just 12.19 seconds, and the quarter mile in 11.86 seconds at 197.7km/h. They are some serious numbers, usually only seen by supercars or tough street machines. Let alone a 2.7-tonne SUV.
With relentless acceleration that belies its size, the V8’s growl and huge top-end pull is accompanied by the electric motor’s instantaneous torque. Acceleration is blistering, whether you’re launching from a standstill or overtaking on the highway. It is nuts. And the transition between electric and V8 power sources is seamless.
The plug-in hybrid setup allows the XM to operate in pure electric mode, offering a claimed range of up to 98km (NEDC). This adds a layer of flexibility, allowing you to cruise around town on electric power alone or engage the full force of the V8 for a more spirited drive.
Charging times are reasonable too as the battery capacity is relatively small, at 29.5kWh, compared with a full EV. Using a three-phase 22kW AC home charger the XM maxed out at 7kW, which is a bit disappointing. It should take at least 11kW.
Over a testing distance of 694km, our overall average consumption – including performance testing and EV driving – was a respectable 9.7L/100km. Not bad for an 11-second, 550kW beast.
In the corners, you might think 2.7 tonnes is impossible to hide. But, somehow, BMW has managed it. It feels like a much smaller and nimbler vehicle, although still large and with a higher centre of gravity than a sports car.
It uses a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system that actually allows some drifting and tail-out action (see video below), while adaptive M suspension with electronically-controlled dampers keeps the XM composed even when tackling tight corners at speed. It does wobble a bit during swift directional changes, especially in normal mode. But, seriously, 2700kg.
Despite its weight and size (5.1m long), the XM feels surprisingly agile in tight corners and this is thanks to the standard rear-wheel steering (BMW calls it Integral Active Steering). It essentially makes the XM feel like it has a shorter wheelbase at lower speeds, but also increases stability at higher speeds. There’s also BMW’s Active Roll Stabilisation system, which minimises body roll.
However, the ride can feel firm on uneven surfaces, especially in the sportier driving modes. It is very difficult to make a large and heavy vehicle, and one that offers 220mm of ground clearance, feel planted and committed in the corners without having a stiff ride. I wouldn’t describe it as concerning, but there are more plush and soft SUVs out there if that’s a higher priority.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Incredible power: With 550kW and 1000Nm, the XM Label Red Edition delivers supercar levels of performance in an SUV body.
- Electrified efficiency: The plug-in hybrid setup offers a real-world electric range of around 80-90km, meaning you could use this for daily errands without using any petrol at all.
- Exotic interior: From Merino leather to carbon fibre trims, special lighting in luxurious themes, the cabin feels very exclusive and expensive.
- Chassis dynamics and agility (for a large SUV): BMW’s xDrive system and rear-wheel steering give the XM a surprising level of agility for its size and weight.
- Customisable tech: The Curved Display and iDrive 8 system offer extensive personalisation options and the latest in connectivity and infotainment. You can immerse yourself in the settings pages for quite some time.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Key considerations before you buy
- Price: The XM Label Red’s $350k price tag positions it as one of the most expensive vehicles in BMW’s lineup, making it a serious investment.
- Firm ride: Even with adaptive suspension, the ride can feel stiff over uneven road surfaces, especially in sportier settings.
- Polarising design: The aggressive styling, especially the oversized grille and bold red accents, may not be to everyone’s taste.
- Heavyweight: While agile for its size, there’s no getting around the fact that the XM is a heavy SUV.
2024 BMW XM Label Red Edition: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The BMW XM is a statement vehicle in every sense. It combines blistering performance with the ability to run silently on electric power, making it as versatile as it is powerful. The bold styling and lavish interior further emphasise its position as a flagship SUV. However, the steep price and venomous – almost vulgar – design theme will turn away some buyers looking for something more pleasant in the high-end SUV space.
