I shoot both the XD9 and XD40 occasionally in IDPA and do fine with it. There are probably half a dozen other shooters at the three clubs where I compete who use the XD. It is an ESP Division gun, this has been confirmed with IDPA Hqs in Berryville on numerous occasions by myself, other Match Directors, and the Area Coordinator for the Va. area. Although one will be competing in the same Division as BHPs and HK P7s, so what? The other guns you compete against only really matter in Master Class, otherwise, you are in a class with your peers, where the actual gun matters less than does the skill of the shooter. BTW, the hot setup in ESP these days seems to be CZ/Witness guns and 1911 style pistols, all in 9mm. On the other hand, I imagine Rob Leatham would do just fine at the Nationals in ESP with the XD.
The ESP listing is based as much on the fact that the BATFE classifies the XD as a single action as on anything that SA/import documents say.
I intend to continue shooting the XD in IDPA, although I am currently using another make of pistol to shoot in SSP, where I have a better chance to shoot a "Master" classification than I do in ESP.
Finally, I have seen $2000 "race" guns in ALL Divisions of IDPA, despite efforts and rules by IDPA to keep the cost down.
