2024 BMW X5 M & X6 M pricing and features: First mild-hybrid M cars

The updated 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition have debuted with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

2024 BMW X5 M and X6 M Competition pricing

Pricing starts from $241,900 for the X5 M Competition and from $247,900 for the X6 M Competition (both before on-road costs), with both set to land locally in the third quarter of 2023.

Currently, the BMW X5 M Competition is priced from $227,900 before on-road costs, rising to $233,900 plus on-roads for the X6 M Competition.

Last year, the entire X5 and X6 range were narrowly outsold by the Mercedes-Benz GLE, which will also receive a facelift later this year.

Engine, transmission and fuel economy

In a BMW M first, the facelifted X5 and X6 performance SUV twins feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to boost power – but only when needed.

The crankshaft-mounted electric motor will deliver up to 9kW and 200Nm of additional power, while also functioning as a starter generator. The battery is charged through regenerative braking and when the vehicle is coasting.

While the 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 has unchanged outputs – 460kW and 750Nm – it is BMW’s latest ‘S68’ unit with a reinforced crankshaft drive, revised bi-symmetrical turbochargers, a new air intake duct, and a new oil pump and a weight-minimised oil sump.

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Despite the addition of the mild-hybrid system, the latest X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition are one-tenth slower from 0-100km/h, with both cars hitting the speed in 3.9 seconds.

As before, power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the active rear differential is unchanged.

BMW has revised the dampers for the standard-fit adaptive M suspension to adjust stiffness in a “few milliseconds”, while both vehicles also feature redesigned alloy wheels, measuring 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear.

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Features

Additional standard specification above and beyond the outgoing models includes:

As with the facelifted X5 and X6, the hot M Competition variants receive a slimmer-looking front end, new technology, and larger screens.

Up front, it features 35-millimetre narrower LED headlight units inspired by the latest X7 and 3 Series, with arrow-shaped daytime running lamps.

For the X5 M, it now sports the X6’s hexagonal-style kidney grille and a redesigned LED tail-light signature.

Buyers can choose from 10 exterior paint colours, which include non-metallic, metallic and BMW Individual metallic options.

There are also three wheel designs available – in bi-colour M light star-spoke style, or jet black. Both models come as standard with M Compound brakes with blue callipers. Red and black callipers are available as no-cost options.

Inside, the updated X5 and X6 are fitted with BMW’s latest iDrive 8 operating system, with a curved display featuring a 14.9-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

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As with the X7 and 3 Series, this has seen most climate controls shifted to the infotainment system, while the physical volume, radio tuning and demister buttons remain.

There’s also an illuminated dash strip with M badging and reshaped air vents.

While the regular X5 and X6 range have shifted to a smaller, toggle-style gear shifter, the M Competition variants retain a carbon-fibre unit.

As standard, BMW Individual’s full leather Merino trim is available in seven combinations. The new bi-colour ivory white/atlas grey combination can be tailored with a choice of the default M headliner Alcantara in anthracite or in optional ivory white.

Additionally, there are two customisation packages to choose from, as well as a number of added extras:

Safety

Technology revisions include; a semi-autonomous highway driving assist, junction-turning assist for the autonomous emergency braking system, automatic speed limit assist, traffic light recognition, emergency stop assistant, and an improved automatic parking system with up to 200 metres of memory.

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Availability

The updated 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and 2024 BMW X6 M Competition are expected to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of this year.