BMW X6 Review 2024

The BMW X6 is the sportier and slightly less practical version of the X5 SUV. Launched in 2019, this is the most resolved and well-rounded version of model to date, although the styling will still divide opinion like a famous yeast extract in a black jar with a yellow lid. Is there a demand for a ‘coupe’ version of an SUV? Our BMW X6 review shows that there clearly is. 

Haters gonna hate. The BMW X6 is one of the most controversial cars of the 21st century, with many people developing an irrational hatred for the ‘coupe SUV’. By that, we mean it’s a sportier version of the BMW X5, with a sloping roofline and a slightly smaller boot.

It’s certainly not what you’d call a looker. Even though the styling is more acceptable than before, the X6 can look challenging from certain angles, and to buy something this big and deliberately make it less practical seems excessive. Maybe our eyes have got used to it, or perhaps it’s because there are more coupe SUVs on the market, but we think it’s less offensive than the original BMW X6.

The front is dominated by a massive grille, although since then BMW's released even more controversial front-ends that have drawn the ire of social media. If you’re ready to take a barrage of abuse, you can equip your new BMW X6 with a so-called ‘glow kidney’ grille. In other words, it lights up. Perfect, if you enjoy trolling people as you make your way to work.

Coupe or not, the X6 is a luxury SUV and a big one at that. Unlike the X5 and X7 it isn't a seven-seater, but it's certainly roomy enough to act as your main family car. It's four-wheel drive, but we'd be very surprised if more than 1% of owners have ever used it as an off-roader beyond a muddy farm shop field. 

It’s an expensive car, with prices starting from £65,000. Some of the expense is justified by the long list of standard equipment, with even the entry-level Sport model packing everything you could ever need. Heated leather seats, a pair of 12.3-inch screens, adaptive LED headlights and adaptive suspension are just some of the highlights.

Many buyers will choose to upgrade to the M Sport, which adds a host of largely cosmetic enhancements to the mix. The 21-inch alloy wheels fill the arches, while the M body upgrades somehow manage to make the X6 look less ungainly. Beyond that, there are a number of expensive options to choose from. Don’t be surprised if your dream X6 comes with a six-figure price tag.

Not that you need to spend that much. The entry-level xDrive30d delivers enough power to excite, thanks to a healthy 265PS. The xDrive40i Sport is a worthy alternative, if you can live with the fuel economy, but we’d prefer the M50d.

The diesel flagship delivers a mighty 400PS in exchange for a small drop in fuel economy. The M50i V8 will be a rare sight in the UK, beyond the realms of Premier League training ground car parks.

On the road, the BMW X6 feels remarkably light and agile, with the driving experience enhanced by precise steering and excellent balance.

Standard-fit all-wheel-drive provides reassurance and security in all weathers, particularly when you’re exiting a corner. Simply plant your right foot and let the xDrive system do the hard work. Even the eight-speed transmission is fantastic if left to its own devices, but the paddle shifters are there if you demand more involvement.

There are even a pair of M Performance versions available: a 400PS M50d and 530PS M50i. They’re expensive but devastatingly effective. If that's somehow not enough you can shell out even more on the 625PS BMW X6 M, which is a faintly ridiculous prospect. 

Some may call the X6 styling ‘devastating’, and that’s their prerogative. The BMW X6 will continue to divide opinion, and sell in numbers around the world. 

Key rivals for BMW X6 include the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, the Audi Q8, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and the Range Rover Velar in high-end trims. All are a broadly similar size and price, and we suspect it'll be the looks your prefer that make your choice. 

Looking for the older version? You'll need our BMW X6 (2015-2019) review

Need a second opinion? Check out heycar's review of the BMW X6

Choosing a BMW X6 over an X5 means that you’re prepared to accept some reduced practicality, but this remains a spacious and flexible SUV.

The BMW X6's boot capacity of 580 litres isn't far off an estate car, while the tall and wide opening makes it easy to load large and awkward items. There’s a maximum 1,530 litres of space available if you fold the 40/20/40 rear seats.

The positive vibes continue in the cabin, where there’s enough room along the back row for three adults - but no seven-seat option as there would be nowhere for even a child's head to sit. Granted, there’s less headroom than you’ll find in the X5 and it certainly feels a little more claustrophobic, but this remains a big car so space is hardly restricted. Legroom is a little tighter than an Audi Q8, but again six footers shouldn't be complaining.

There are two Isofix points in the back, but be careful when you’re strapping children into the seats, as the sloping roofline makes it easy to bang your head on the frame.

The BMW X6's exterior dimensions give it a length of 4,935mm, a width of 2,004mm and a height of 1,696mm. That's longer, wider and lower than the X5 on which it's based, although it's shorter than an Audi Q8.

The BMW X6 Sport looks a little ‘under-wheeled’ on 19-inch alloy wheels due to this being such a bulky car, but you can upgrade these as a cost option. The tight panel gaps and thick paint quality demonstrate a touch of class.

It’s even better on the inside, where BMW has made great use of sumptuous materials and tactile surfaces to create a high-quality cabin. It's right up there with the Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne and (we reckon) better than the Mercedes GLE Coupe.

Even the standard leather on the Sport trim has a quality feel, but the BMW Individual leather takes things up a notch or two. All versions come with heated seats, ambient lighting and electric adjustment for the front seats.

All versions of the BMW X6 come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. It’s a deeply impressive set-up, providing a visual treat and a host of different options. It can be controlled via a new version of BMW’s iDrive rotary controller with touch function. Standard features include DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone charging and wi-fi hotspot preparation.

The voice control works surprisingly well, and there’s a host of features available via the BMW Connected smartphone app. Apple CarPlay is fitted as standard, while BMW’s sat-nav is still one of the best on sale in 2022. 

The entry-level BMW X6 xDrive30d Sport starts from £65,740 as of mid-2022. You'll need £67,290 for the cheapest petrol, the xDrive40i, and £67,840 for the xDrive40d diesel. 

M Sport adds a fair chunk of wedge to that price, with the base diesel kicking off from £70,240. 

Predictably, the M Performance models are the most expensive. The X6 M50d diesel is no longer available to order in 2022, but the X6 M50i petrol costs just north of £85,000. The X6 M Competition? £121,620 - that huge price jump is because we only get the more powerful Competition version here. 

These prices are before you get too carried away with the options lists. Although the X6 comes well-equipped straight out of the box, some options are very expensive. Take the BMW Individual Full Merino leather pack. Yours for £3495. How about the Comfort Plus pack? A cool £4995. Even the Sky Lounge Panoramic glass sunroof costs nearly £2500.

If you’re buying used, the good news is that these options are unlikely to add anything to the residual values.

Indeed, buying a used or nearly-new BMW X6 makes a lot of sense. Prices start from ‘just’ £50,000, which is enough to secure a 2019 xDrive30d M Sport with 35,000 miles on the clock. That would've been much cheaper still were it not for the spike in used car prices following the pandemic.

The vast majority of used X6 models are M Sport cars with diesel engines, but you will find a smattering of petrols around.

We can’t begin this section without mentioning depreciation. The BMW X6 isn’t good at holding its value, so be prepared for some heavy losses, particularly in the first three years. Granted, this isn’t a problem if you’re leasing a car, but it does have an impact on the price you’ll pay when buying on PCP.

Fuel economy isn’t great, although diesel versions are acceptable enough. The xDrive30d offers a claimed 42mpg combined, but there’s a very slight penalty for choosing the M Sport version. That drops to around 40mpg with the xDrive40d. The M50d could return 33.2mpg to 34.4mpg, which isn't bad at all with the performance on offer.

The 40i Sport offers a claimed 29-31mpg depending on spec The least efficient is the M50i, which offers a claimed 23.0mpg to 23.5mpg. Oh, and the X6 M Competition manages 21.4mpg.

The new BMW X6 is yet to feature in the Honest John Real MPG data, but the X5 returns an average of 30.2mpg across all engines.

Thanks to recently added mild-hybrid tech reducing emissions the xDrive30d and xDrive40d cost £945 to tax in the first year. That sounds like a lot, but in the context of a car like the X6 it's not bad at all.  The xDrive 40i costs £1,420, while the M Performance models are are well over £2,000 in the first year. It'll default to the £165 flat rate after that. 

You'll also need to factor in the 'premium car' tax of £355 for five years. Insurance will be very expensive, too, with all except the xDrive30d Sport (group 49) slotting into group 50.

You’ll buy a BMW X6 expecting it to feel nicer to drive than the X5. It doesn’t disappoint, although you’re always aware that you’re driving something large and heavy.

Planting your right foot when exiting a corner is highly addictive, with the X6 hunkering down as power is distributed to all four wheels.

The steering is responsive, but engaging Sport mode adds a little extra weight and more feedback. Similarly, the handling is more than adequate in normal mode, but it just feels that little bit more tied down in Sport mode.

Although the ride quality is firmer than an X5, and can get a bit bumpy on the biggest wheels, we suspect most buyers will appreciate the extra tautness. It’s certainly not uncomfortable, but if you fancy some more cushioning, the air suspension is excellent.

The entry-level xDrive30d engines feature mild hybrid technology to deliver a small power boost when accelerating. The engine produces 286PS, which is enough to propel this big SUV to 62mph in just 6.1 seconds. You have to ask yourself, do you need anything quicker?

In fairness, the xDrive40i is a decent alternative, with the 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine producing a healthy 340PS. This takes the 0-62mph time down to 5.5 seconds, with the power delivered in a smooth and thrilling manner.

The 4.4-litre V8 in the M50i will never be anything other than a niche model in the UK, but the 530PS engine is a huge amount of fun and make a nice noise. Good luck finding somewhere to extract the best from it, mind. At least it almost looks sensible next to the ridiculous and pointless (in the UK at least) 625PS X6 M competition

The M50d features a 3.0-litre six-cylinder quad-turbodiesel producing a mighty 400PS. The fuel economy is good enough to make it a viable alternative to the 30d, so it's a shame you'll have to buy used as it's no longer available to order. 

As the X6 is strongly related to the BMW X5, we can look at the car’s sibling as a reference point for its safety credentials. The X5 was awarded a five-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP, with an impressive set of individual ratings.

Standard safety features include multiple airbags, adaptive LED headlights, park assist, rear-view camera, parking sensors and autonomous emergency braking. An optional Driving Assistant Professional pack comprises speed limit assistance, cross traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, wrong way warning, plus steering and lane control assistance.

The popular BMW X6 xDrive40d offers a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, so it’s ideal for towing large caravans and heavy trailers.

The entry-level BMW X6 Sport comes equipped with 19-inch wheels, sat-nav, heated electric leather seats, wireless phone charging, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive LED headlamps and a high-end stereo, as well as the full roster of infotainment and safety technology. 

Stepping up to the BMW X6 M Sport brings unique body styling, high gloss trim and window surrounds, M Sport exhausts and brake calipers, 21-inch wheels, air suspension and a sportier steering wheel design.