2015 BMW X6 Review: More Of Everything
What’s Hot: Stunning performance for an SUV, bold looks.
What’s Not: Limited rear headroom, fussy ride.
X-FACTOR: As the lovechild of a sports car and an SUV, the BMW X6 does a decent job of merging the best attributes of both in one package.
Vehicle Style: Fastback SUV
Price: $120,700 (X6 xDrive30d) - $157,900 (X6 M50d)
Engine/trans:
225kW/400Nm 3.0 turbo petrol 6cyl
330kW/650Nm 4.4 turbo petrol 8cyl
190kW/560Nm 3.0 turbo diesel 6cyl
230kW/630Nm turbo diesel 6cyl
280kW/740Nm turbo diesel 6cyl
8spd automatic automatic standard across range
Fuel Economy claimed: 6.0 l/100km (xDrive30d) - 9.7 l/100km (xDrive50i)
OVERVIEW
The first generation BMW X6 launched in 2008, and oh how we laughed. “An SUV coupe," we howled, "who in the world would buy something so compromised?”
As it turns out, a lot of people.
So many, in fact, that rival Mercedes has revealed a fastbacked SUV of its own, and Audi is expected to soon follow. Meanwhile car journos everywhere are scoffing slices of humble pie.
More than 260,000 X6s have been sold worldwide since its introduction, which surpassed BMW’s own estimations by a cool 110,000 units.
So, even BMW underestimated the appeal of the X6.
And now there’s an all-new one. Based on the same underpinnings as the still-fresh F15 X5, the F16 X6 comes with a more opulent fit-out than its wagon-bodied brother and puts a greater emphasis on performance.
The range is also slightly less complex than the X5, with no four-cylinder or two-wheel drive variants offered. But it's also more expensive than its more conventional bro', with an X6 xDrive35i costing nearly $14,000 more than a similarly-engined X5.
Will the new X6 prove to be as bizarrely popular as its predecessor? We drove a few around the Yarra Valley in Victoria to make an educated guess.
MORE: BMW X6 Price & Features
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4/5
- Dual-zone climate control, keyless ignition, powered front seats, head-up display, cruise control, Dakota leather upholstery, leather-wrapped dashboard and centre console, rear air outlets, reverse parking sensors, around-view parking camera, side-looking cameras, power tailgate.
- Infotainment: 10.25-inch LCD display, satellite navigation, iDrive controller interface, AM/FM/CD stereo (9 speakers in 30d, 16 speakers in all other variants), USB audio input, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming.
- Luggage space: 580 litres minimum, 1525 litres maximum.