When the first generation (E71) BMW X6 was introduced in 2008, many people thought BMW had gone nuts. But a decade later, many car manufacturers have emulated BMW and are now producing compact SUVs. But is the BMW X6 a crossover?
Yes, the BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV. It is from the BMW’s line of crossovers that incorporate the sporty style with the roominess and versatility of conventional SUVs. Besides, the BMW X6 is the first SUV Coupe on the market.
Some of the closest competitors of the BMW X6 are Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Jaguar F Pace. All of these cars are beautifully designed with top-notch features, but they emulate the BMW X6, the first luxury crossover SUV to be produced.
Features of the BMW X6
Exterior appearance
Unlike the BMW X5 which comes with a traditional SUV design, the BMW X6 has a sloped rear roof that makes it look sportier. And since the rear is slopped, it has more confined cargo space and rear headroom. So, it’s not as spacious as the BMW X5, but still practical.
Additionally, the BMW X6 features a large kidney grille sandwiched between two adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights. On the top of the roof is a panoramic sunroof that improves the general appeal of the SUV. What’s more, it comes with standard 20-inch wheels that make it look even sportier.
However, some people may not find this design appealing. On top of that, some of the cars in its class such as the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q8, and Jaguar F Pace look more appealing. This SUV coupe has a wheelbase of 117.1-inches, a length of 194.8-inches, a width of 78.9-inches, and a height of 66.3-inches.
Interior appearance
The interior of the BMW X6 is beautifully finished with high-quality features. It has Vernasca leather seats with SensaTec faux leather on the dashboard, a dual 12.3-inch screen, 16-way power front seats with heating, and an aesthetically pleasing interior.
What’s more, the BMW X6 can seat up to 5 people and has large cargo space, making it a practical car. However, people who are 6-feet and above won’t enjoy seating in the second row on longer journeys, as it’s a bit cramped. Yes, there is enough legroom, but the sloped roofline takes up a lot of headroom.
Performance
The BMW X6 comes with three trim levels. These are the BMW X6 xDrive40i, sDrive40i, and M50i. It also has a performance variant, the X6 M, which has the same engine as the M50i. The xDrive40i is the least performing car in the line and it’s also the cheapest. On the other hand, the M50i is the best-performing variant.
The BMW xDrive40i is fitted with a 3.0-liter turbo inline-6 engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system. It produces a maximum of 335 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. What’s more, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 151 mph.
While the BMW M50i comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 gas engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD system. Additionally, it delivers up to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. This variant can also accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds and has a maximum speed of 155 mph.
Comfort
The BMW X6 has four doors and seats up to five people. It has plenty of room in the front seats, but it is somewhat cramped in the rear seats. This is because the sloping roofline takes up some headroom, making the rear seats uncomfortable for taller individuals.
Fuel efficiency
BMW X6 is one of the most efficient cars in its class. It has an excellent EPA rating of 21 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. This is better than the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Price
The base price of the BMW X6 xDrive40i is around $67,300, while the base price for its performance model (M50i) is about $86,200. Compared to other cars in its class, the X6 is slightly expensive.
FAQ
Is the BMW X6 a safe car?
Yes, BMW X6 is a safe car. In the past few years, it has attracted five-star safety ratings, which is a sign of a safe car. Moreover, the BMW X6 is fitted with lots of safety features, including lane departure warning, city collision mitigation, preventive pedestrian protection, and forward-collision warning.
Is the BMW X6 reliable?
No, the BMW X6 is not a reliable car. Not only is the BMW brand less reliable, but the BMW X6 and X5 are some of the least reliable models from BMW. On average, BMW X6 has an annual repair cost of about $1,200, which is one of the highest among compact SUVs.
Additionally, BMW parts are some of the most expensive, and so are BMW repair and maintenance costs. Besides, like Mercedes-Benz, BMW recommends taking their cars to specialist or BMW service centers, which are also costly.
How fast is the BMW X6?
The fastest BMW X6 variant is the BMW M Sport variant. This car can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.6 seconds with the driver’s package. But without the driver’s package, it will accelerate from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds. Besides, it has a top speed of 155 mph.
What are the common problems of the BMW X6?
The BMW X6 experiences a lot of issues over its lifespan. However, here are some of the common problems that X6 users should expect to experience:
- Overheating engine
- Tailgate spoiler loosens
- Electric seat issues
- Loss of brake power
- Electric handbrake challenges
- Broken Isofix mounting point
Conclusion
The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover. But unlike the traditional crossovers, this SUV coupe doesn’t feature a rear hatchback, instead, it comes with a sloping rear roofline. Furthermore, it combines the features of an SUV with the poise of a coupe.
Overall, the BMW X6 looks more elegant than the BMW X5. However, the X5 is more practical and spacious than the X6, while the BMW X6 is better suited for people who desire a fun and sporty ride. Besides, it’s also costlier than the BMW X5, but it performs better.
