2023 BMW X5 M Review: Trying To Be All Things To All Men

BMW may not have created the high-performance SUV, but its M-powered X5 has come to represent the segment. The 2023 X5 M continues this fine tradition and remains the consummate high-riding performer. If the bulging bodywork, large wheels, and multiple M badges didn't clue you in, a quick peek under the hood will. The twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 produces 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, allowing the hefty brute to hurtle to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Fit the optional Competition package, and power is boosted to 617 hp, the top speed is increased, and the sprint to 60 mph is completed in 3.7 seconds.

But the X5 M isn't just about earth-shattering performance. First and foremost, it's a plush BMW, so it's just as comfortable taking the kids to school as it is chasing Porsche 911s around a race track. The ride is a touch firm, but the BMW X5 M is as refined as its competitors. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo may not be as quick to 60 mph, and it sports a higher price tag, but it handles even better. And, where the Bimmer and its rival from Stuttgart can be likened to scalpels, the ferocious Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is a hammer. Is the 2023 X5 M still the ultimate performance SUV? Or has it fallen by the wayside in its middle age?

What's the Price of the 2023 BMW X5 M?

Although it is hardly affordable transportation for the masses, the price of the BMW X5 M starts at $108,900 before a $995 destination fee. Since the X5 M Competition is no longer a standalone model, there is no MSRP for the complete package, so to speak, but you can add the Comp bits for $9,300. Naturally, there are a few other options and packages you can spec, and a fully loaded model will set you back around $135k.

2023 BMW X5 M Handling and Driving Impressions

Few SUVs of this weight and size handle with as much aplomb as the BMW X5 M. It shimmies through bends and corners with glee, hustling its way around a mountain pass or race track in a way only a smaller car can. This physics-defying feat of engineering isn't perfect, though. Uncharacteristically for an M car, the steering is lifeless and devoid of feel. While many will say that's the price you pay in a high-performance SUV, Porsche has managed to provide the Cayenne with a far more engaging steering setup. The X5 M, while marvelous on a track, falls short on the road. On anything less than a perfect stretch of tarmac, the BMW pitter-patters and feels unsettled.

Still, the X5 M has a split personality of sorts and is happy to waft along to the office in silence. When driven gently, the twin-turbocharged V8 hums away to itself while the eight-speed M Sport automatic transmission swaps cogs seamlessly. Floor the throttle, however, and the luxury SUV morphs into a true sports car killer. Acceleration is brutal, and if you continue to keep your right foot planted, the X5 M will hurtle its way all the way up to 155 mph. The Competition Package turns everything up to 11; power is increased to 617 hp, the top speed is pushed up to 177 mph, while a tenth of a second is shaved off the sprint time to 60 mph. If you can live with the X5 M's firm ride, you'll find there's plenty to enjoy about Munich's high-powered SUV.

Verdict: Is The 2023 BMW X5 M A Good SUV?

The new BMW X5 M SUV is somewhat of an anomaly. It's an SUV that can't go off-road, and while it's focused on performance, the X5 M is inherently compromised due to its size, weight, and ride height. On top of that, it's pricier than the arguably more thrilling BMW M5 - with which it shares its engine - and isn't as dynamic or exciting as the pricier Porsche Cayenne.

Yes, there's no denying it's a superb achievement, and when behind the wheel, you can tell this wasn't a half-baked attempt on BMW's part. It's just as refined and luxurious as lesser X5s, but can genuinely scare the life out of a Boxster or Supra owner on a mountain road. But in trying to be all things to all people, the X5 M falls short. It's not as serene or comfortable as lesser X5 models (such as the excellent M50i), and it's not as athletic as the equivalent Porsche Cayenne. It does carry over the excellent reliability reviews for the BMW X5 lineup, however.

Simply put, the X5 M is an excellent car. But it competes in a segment with some truly talented rivals. If you're looking for a plush SUV that doubles up as a sports car (and has a blue and white roundel on its nose) the X5 M will more than satisfy your needs.

What BMW X5 M Model Should I Buy?

There's no such thing as too much, according to BMW, so if excess is underrated, we'll get the X5 M with the Comp and M Driver's packages, thus making it seriously difficult for rivals to keep up. We'd also be tempted by the Executive package as it would make the SUV even more comfortable and safe, but with such a long list of standard features, we also wouldn't discriminate against an option-free variant. Depending on whether you'll use the capabilities of the X5 M to their full potential or not will help you decide if any packages are really necessary, but the base model is perfectly brilliant on its own.