It’s unlikely that the Motorsport division of BMW ever deliberate or supposed to lend its identify and engineering know-how to develop probably the most rambunctious SUVs on the planet. But it surely’s practically 2025, and now the BMW M lineup consists of a number of completely different M-branded SUV fashions. Right now, the lineup is extra aggressive than ever. So, how do they stack up?
BMW X3 M
It’s on the best way out, however you possibly can nonetheless decide up a new X3 M. As of this writing, AutoTrader reveals 19 remaining new X3 M SUVs on supplier tons. Get it whilst you can, as a result of the X3 M is a one-and-done era that received’t come again with the brand new G45 X3. With just-right sizing and the highly effective S58 engine below the hood, it’s the proper illustration of what BMW’s “Sports activities Exercise Autos” must be.
With all-wheel drive and as much as 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, it scrambles from zero to 60 mph in below three and a half seconds. It’s nonetheless conventionally fairly, too, providing classically styled kidney grilles and headlights. It received’t ever win an award for “most comfortable-riding SUV,” however dynamically, the X3 M is pleasant. It was additionally the primary automobile to tout the S58 engine, which now you can discover below the hood of the long-lasting M2, M3, and M4. We expect the X3 M is the most effective mix of efficiency and utility within the present M SUV lineup, providing a little bit little bit of all the pieces and few actual drawbacks.
BMW X4 M
The X4 M is extra available than the X3 M, because it’s nonetheless in manufacturing, however in any other case the SUV is an identical in most respects. The fastback design provides it a “sportier” look, however I personally favor the boxed look of the X3 M extra. The X3 M can be ever-so-slightly extra sensible, granting extra second-row headroom and cargo area.
Nonetheless, dynamically, the X4 M is tough to beat. It will get all the identical M bits that the X3 M does, and weighs marginally much less (we’re speaking like, 20 kilos; 4597 kilos vs. 4610 kilos). The one actual drawbacks are some minor aesthetics and a small value premium over the X3 M. That stated, the X4 M nonetheless appears significantly higher than a few of the newer creations rolling out of the BMW plant. Just like the X3 M, the X4 M might be restricted to only one era – so if you would like a brand new one, now could be the time.
BMW X5 M
The most effective of the V8-powered M SUVs is hands-down the X5 M. It’s the most effective trying in our estimation, and $5,000 cheaper than the mechanically an identical X6 M. Don’t get us began on the $35,000 upcharge that the XM requests of you. Whereas earlier fashions had been caught with the S63 engine, new X5 M fashions profit from the S68, which brings delicate hybrid energy and consummate bumps to effectivity whereas nonetheless offering the identical 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Each models displace 4.4 liters and make the most of twin turbochargers.
Having pushed an X5 M or two on the observe, I can personally attest to the SUV’s physics-defying dynamics. It’s method too massive to maneuver with the agility it does, however then over 600 horsepower will try this – even to an almost 5,500-pound tank. Zero to 60 mph happens in roughly the identical 3.5 seconds, and at pace it feels faster than the littler M SUVs however, nonetheless, its additional measurement and heft is noticeable behind the wheel, and it’s nonetheless considerably dearer. Many of the selection comes all the way down to choice: when you want the agility, the X3 M is the best way to go. Should you simply care about uncooked acceleration and pace, the X5 M is preferable.
BMW X6 M
The slope-roofed counterpart to the X5 M suffers from the identical downsides because the smaller X4 M. So, anticipate slight compromises in cargo and head room areas so as to look “sportier.” The X6 M’s extra polarizing look, mixed with a better MSRP, makes it only a shut second between the mostly-the-same X5 M. The driving thrills stay intact from its extra historically formed X5 counterpart.
BMW XM
Properly, we now have to speak about it. The excellent news is that the BMW XM Label is technically nonetheless probably the most highly effective M automobile in manufacturing, providing 738 horsepower from a hybrid setup comprising a 4.4-liter V8 and a 25.7 kWh battery pack. Sadly, BMW forgot to design the automobile, and so we’re caught with an unlucky confluence of seemingly random physique traces, angles, and grilles that make the XM not undriveable, however removed from nice to take a look at.
Between a sky-high MSRP of $159,000 and jaw-dropping, head-scratching aesthetics, it’s exhausting to suggest the BMW XM. The X5 M does higher from a efficiency perspective, and the X7 M60i is about as luxurious whereas costing tens of hundreds of {dollars} much less.
