The 2018 BMW X6 delivers eye-catching style and good driving dynamics, but is it still an SUV? The 2018 BMW X6 four-door SUV is evolution, baby. It's a tall-riding crossover with a sleek roofline and the wild-child compared to the X5 from which it is based.
Pros Eye-catching style Strong engines Refined interior Decadent options
Cons Compromised rear seat Tight cargo area Hugely expensive Not really all that fun
Unrestrained styling, raucous power, and surprising agility define the X6—although its fastback design limits rear-seat room and cargo space. A 300-hp 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with an eight-speed automatic can be ordered with either rear- or all-wheel drive. An audacious 445-hp 4.4-liter turbo V-8 is optional and comes only with all-wheel drive. The standard Driving Dynamics Control system allows for five distinct driving modes, and an available air suspension provides even more fine-tuning.
Pros Lovely turbo-six thrust, wonderful automatic transmission, handsome interior.
Cons Unlovely styling, ponderous handling.
We'd maximize the sporting aspect with a bit of financial restraint, and opt for the X6 sDrive35i M Sport Design, equipped with Executive Tier and M adaptive suspension. The 3.0-liter turbocharged engine drives just the rear wheels to minimize weight, while the performance tires and adaptive suspension maximize dynamics.
PROS Engines provide strong acceleration Comfortable and quiet ride Quality interior with comfortable front seats
CONS Limited rear headroom Hard to see out the back Sloping roofline cuts down cargo space
The BMW X6 M is available in only one feature-loaded trim, so there's not much to recommend. This is a BMW, however, so there are several other option boxes you can check, and the most appealing might be the Executive package. Highlights include cooled front seats, heated rear seats, wireless smartphone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a host of driver safety aids (including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, surround-view cameras). It's a pricey package, but it's packed with details that will make the X6 M that much more enjoyable.
PROS Performance is astonishing for an SUV High-quality interior packed with features Seats are comfortable and supportive
CONS Distinctive exterior design limits rear-seat room and cargo space Sporty suspension may feel too firm for some drivers, passengers Gas pedal sometimes responds slowly in low-speed driving
The X6 M is a style item: it has sleek lines, a plush interior, and a coveted badge on the hood. It’s also stunningly quick and handles more like a sports car than anything that weighs 5000 pounds has any right to. It’s powered by a 567-hp twin-turbo V-8. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard, and up to 100 percent of torque can be routed to either the front or rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. It’s less practical than the boxy X5 M, but it’ll turn more heads.
Pros Blistering performance, commanding seating position.
Cons Harsh ride, constricted cargo space.
The BMW X6 M is a large SUV with a coupe body that offers sports car handling with all the practicality of a big 4×4.Driving is where the X6 M not only impresses but even amazes – there is endless grip and you rarely feel the 2.3-tonne weight of the car.
Pros Astonishingly fast High-quality interior Great engine
Cons Little bit of road noise A tad firm Not cheap
