BMW SUVs in India

BMW is a carmaker that we love for their driver-focused cars, making it a staple choice for any enthusiast looking for a luxury car. BMW strictly follows this ethos, so much so that even their SUVs are the top picks if you are looking for something that will be exciting to drive. Despite facing tough competition from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, BMW SUVs have carved a niche for themselves and are praised for traits including driving dynamics that resonate with the enthusiasts. 

BMW used to have an extensive portfolio of SUVs in India including coupe SUVs such as the X4 and the X6. However, presently, BMW only offers six SUVs in India, namely the X1, X3, X5, X7, and two electric/hybrid SUVs –  iX and XM. In its portfolio, BMW has an SUV for every segment in India right from the entry-level X1 to the flagship Rs. 2.6 crore XM. All six SUVs from BMW are competent products that offer something unique in the segment. Let’s take a deep dive into BMW’s SUV portfolio and find out what they bring to the table.

List of Best BMW SUVs in India

BMW X1

BMW’s entry-level SUV received a major update recently where it gained new looks and features to keep it relevant in its segment. What helps the X1 is its dynamic chassis and engine combination, making it the most fun-to-drive car in its segment in true BMW fashion. BMW offers two engine options for the X1. The first one is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol producing 136 PS and 230 Nm. Meanwhile, the diesel is a 2.0-litre turbo unit good enough for 150 PS and 360 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a seven-speed DCT as standard across the range. 

BMW X1 Specifications

• Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel,  1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol 
• Transmission: 7-speed DCT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/diesel
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

BMW X1 Key Features

• Seven-speaker HiFi sound system
• Dual-zone climate control system 
• Heads-up display

BMW X3

Launched in 2022, the X3 facelift is BMW’s answer to the Audi Q5 and the popular Mercedes-Benz GLC. Although the X3 was available with a diesel engine, with the new update BMW has discontinued the diesel and is only offering a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol that produces 252 PS and 350 Nm of torque. This engine comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. New for 2022 is obviously the latest BMW design language that makes use of bigger kidney grilles and a sharp rear-end design. There are two variants on offer for the BMW X3: 30i SportX Plus and 30i M Sport.

BMW X3 Specifications

• Engine:  2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol 
• Transmission: 8-speed AT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

BMW X3 Key Features

• Harman Kardon-sourced surround sound music system
• Park assist function
• 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster

BMW X5

BMW offers the X5 in five trim options in India: X5 xDrive40i SportX Plus, xDrive30d SportX Plus, xDrive30d Luxury Line, and the range-topping xDrive40i M Sport. Once a flagship SUV from BMW, the X5 now comes with two engines, both six-cylinder options. The first one is the 3.0-litre turbo petrol that develops 335 PS and 650 Nm meanwhile the 3.0-litre diesel is good for 262 PS and a massive 620 Nm of twist. Both engines come mated to BMW’s 8-speed automatic gearbox. Despite being a 5-seater, the X5 is a big SUV with a huge road presence that is also accentuated by the new styling language that involves bold lines and of course, the big kidney grilles. 

BMW X5 Specifications

• Engine:  3.0-litre inline-six diesel and petrol
• Transmission: 8-speed AT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/Diesel
• Airbags: 8
• Body Type: SUV

BMW X5 Key Features

• BMW LaserLight
• BMW Live Cockpit Professional
• 16-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon sound system
• 4-zone temperature control

BMW X7

The BMW X7 is the current BMW flagship SUV with an internal combustion engine. With an asking price of over Rs 1.2 crore, this BMW is truly reserved for the brand’s elite customers. The 7-seater full-size SUV recently got a facelift in January 2023 which also witnessed some design revisions. Under the hood are two engine options, just like the BMW X5 – 3.0-litre turbo petrol and a 3.0-litre turbo diesel.  The former develops around 376 PS and 520 Nm of torque while the latter is rated at 335 PS and 700 Nm of twist to all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission. These are massive numbers and despite being a huge SUV the X7 can easily sprint from naught to 100 kmph in just 5.8 seconds. And for the variants, there are two on offer:  X7 xDrive40i M Sport and X7 xDrive 40d M Sport.

BMW X7 Specifications

• Engine:  3.0-litre inline-six diesel and petrol
• Transmission: 8-speed AT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/Diesel
• Airbags: 8
• Body Type: SUV

BMW X7 Key Features

• Adaptive two-axle air suspension
• 5-zone climate control
• 16-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon sound system
• Digital Key
• 14.9-inch instrument cluster

BMW iX

The BMW iX is one of those rare cars from the future. This all-electric SUV is powered by a 71kWh battery pack which drives two electric motors to produce 322 PS and 630 Nm of torque. The highlight of this electric however is the impressive maximum driving range of 425 km (WLTP). The iX is also capable of fast charging as it can juice up for a range of 95 km in just 10 minutes of charging. The BMW iX also happens to be one of the greenest and cleanest cars from BMW as its interior is made from sustainable materials. As standard, the iX comes with an Xdrive AWD system but the SUV mostly performs as a rear-wheel drive car with power will only be sent to the front wheels when needed. 

BMW iX specifications

• Engine:  2x synchronous electric motor 
• Transmission: · Single-speed with a fixed ratio
• Fuel Type: Electric
• Airbags: 8
• Body Type: SUV

BMW iX Key Features

• 21-inch air performance wheel
• Curved 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Seat-integrated speakers
• BMW virtual assistant

BMW XM

BMW’s flagship SUV and the most expensive model in its lineup is the mammoth XM SUV that was recently launched in India with an eye-watering price tag of Rs 2.60 crore (ex-showroom). The XM is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine with an electric motor to produce a combined output figure of 653bhp and 800Nm of torque. These figures are sent to all four wheels using an  eight-speed Steptronic transmission. All these numbers translate to a top speed of 270 kmph and a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 4.3 seconds. These figures are supercar territory and the XM is one of the fastest SUVs you can buy today.

 Although it comes with a fat price tag, when you consider the performance it offers and how close it is to super SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, the XM is an affordable ticket to the world of fast SUVs. Plus, the XM is a plug-in hybrid that uses a 25.7kWh battery providing an electric range of 82-88 km.

BMW XM Specifications

• Engine:  4.4-litre V8
• Transmission: 8-speed AT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 8
• Body Type: SUV

BMW XM Key Features

• 3D headliner with 100 unique LEDs
• 1,500W Bowers & Wilkins sound system
• Adaptive M suspension
• M Sport differential

Best BMW SUVs In India Summary

By now it is obvious that all six BMW SUVs in India offer something different from their rivals. The entry-level X1 and the X3 ushers in the latest BMW styling with added features and updated powertrain options. The BMW X5 and the X7 are the big SUVs from the group with powerful six-cylinder engines and immense road presence to take on its German rivals. The all-electric iX is for the planet-conscious buyer who prefers the greenest and cleanest SUV on the market today. And well, the XM is nothing as we’ve seen from BMW. It is the ultimate BMW SUV and also one of the fastest SUVs money can buy today.