What's all this about?

Hot on the heels of the updated BMW X5 and X6 models are the high-performance X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition. Both powered by a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine, the two go-faster cars get the same updated bodywork and fresh interior technology, as well as a few specification tweaks.

Let's talk performance first...

A wise move. Both the X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition (for the sake of brevity and our fingers, we’ll call them X5 M and X6 M from now on) are powered by a 4.4-litre petrol V8, which is fitted with two turbochargers to produce 625hp at 6,000rpm. Pair that with a 750Nm mountain of torque, an eight-speed automatic gearbox BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and you’ve got a very, very fast SUV.

In fact, both cars are capable of 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds, which makes them faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera 4. That isn’t bad considering the cars both weigh around 2.4 tonnes. Naturally, the top speed is limited to 155mph, but you can extend that to 180mph with the optional M Driver’s Package.

I assume that means economy is not their forte?

You’d be right about that. Officially, the X5 M manages between 21.5 and 21.9mpg on the official economy test, and the marginally more aerodynamic X6 M is only a little better, returning between 21.9 and 22.2mpg. Carbon dioxide emissions are approaching 300g/km, too, so company car tax is going to be sky high. Not that most X5 M buyers will care very much.

What about off-roading?

Again, off-roading is not really what the X5 M and X6 M were built for, but they can do it. The X5 M has 212mm of ground clearance and it can wade through 450mm of water, which is only 50mm less than the Range Rover Evoque – a surprisingly competent 4x4. We’ll have to wait and see, but we suspect some decent tyres would give the X5 M more than enough capability to be getting on with.

So what about these styling upgrades?

Whether you consider the changes as ‘upgrades’ is a matter of taste, but suffice to say the X5 M and X6 M have undergone the same tweaks as their stablemates, with slim headlights and a new front grille. There are new air intakes, too, and new tail lights at the back.

Naturally, BMW has also gone to town with the M-specific design tweaks, fitting a model-specific spoiler lip to the X6 M, while the X5 M gets its own rear lights. Both models get a prominent diffuser, too, and the four tailpipe exits are finished in black chrome and measure 10cm across.

And the inside?

There’s a little more to talk about here. BMW has fitted the new X5 and X6 (and therefore the M versions) with its Curved Display infotainment system, which combines a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen in one wide housing that covers roughly half the dashboard. That has enabled a redesign of the dashboard, with slimmer air vents and the deletion of physical climate control switchgear, which has been replaced with the touchscreen system.

And because these two particular X5 and X6 models are M versions, there are plenty of sporty features to be seen. There’s an M steering wheel, for example, and you get new carbon-fibre gearshift paddles. An M gear lever and red M buttons add to the image, but BMW has stuck with full leather upholstery for maximum luxury.

Go on, how much are we talking?

Quite a lot. The X5 M starts at £123,350, while the X6 M Competition comes in at just over £126,000.

James Fossdyke - 22 Feb 2023