BMW X6 (2015 – 2019) Review

The first-generation BMW X6 gained something of a negative reputation, which is a bit of baggage this 2015 version had to bear a little unfairly. But it’s a more refined-looking car, and it’s good to drive even if a Porsche Cayenne is more deft in corners. A Range Rover Sport is more luxurious in terms of ride comfort, while some will prefer the bold looks of the Mercedes GLE Coupe or even the Audi Q8. Read on for our full BMW X6 review.

Back in 2008, SUV haters were presented with the perfect model to vilify with the arrival of the BMW X6.

The concept itself seems flawed – it was basically a BMW X5 underneath with a more rakish coupe fastback removing some practicality.

BMW seemed to hit on a winning formula, though. For every five BMW X5s on the road, it sold a BMW X6, which is why we got a new one in 2015.

It’s divisive then, but that’s arguably part of its appeal, and for all the talk of boot capacity – it loses 345 litres of ultimate loadspace over the BMW X5 – when was the last time you filled your boot to the roof?

The BMW X6 is a statement car for buyers new and used, who don’t give a damn what others think. Frankly, if you’ve got the money and the inclination, then there’s nothing wrong with that.

With this second-generation model, the BMW X6 gained a degree of acceptability, not least because it started a trend for coupe-like SUVs and we’ve become more used to seeing them.

BMW itself followed with the smaller BMW X4, while German rivals copied the idea with the likes of the Mercedes GLC Coupe.

Certainly, in terms of styling, this BMW X6 is a bit better resolved than its predecessor, which was big-bootied, despite not being big booted.

It still stands out though, deliberately so, with its chunky stance, busy detailing and bold grille.

BMW offered an SE model, but few chose it, so M Sport is the norm – assuming you’ve not gone all-in and gone for the full-on M models themselves. M Sport cars come with 20-inch wheels as standard.

If that’s still not big enough, M Sport Edition trim gets 21-inch alloy wheels, interior carbon trim and an M Sport Plus package that includes the Digital Cockpit, head-up display, sun protection glass and improved Harman Kardon audio equipment.

As a car at the more irrational end of the buying spectrum, the engine line-up does without the BMW X5’s most parsimonious choices. There’s a choice of a turbocharged petrol V8 of 4.4 litres in the xDrive50i, its 450PS and 650Nm of torque enough to get the car to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds.

If that’s not a quick enough way to burn through a tank of fuel, then the BMW X6 M is worthy of consideration, with the 4.4-litre V8 boosted further for a 575PS output along with 750Nm of torque. That allows it to get it to 62mph in just 4.2 seconds.

Addressing the conflicting goals of outrageous performance with a nod, albeit slight, to economy is the BMW X6 M50d.

As that little d suggests, this alternative BMW X6 M car is a diesel, using the same base 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder as the rest of the diesel line-up, but having a triple turbo set-up to allow it a 381PS and 740Nm output. Even so, it takes a while longer to reach 62mph than the petrol M, for a still not slow 5.2 seconds.

The rest of the diesels are a little bit more sensible, with the xDrive30d M Sport and xDrive40d M Sport having 258PS and 313PS respectively. It’s unlikely that anyone will find the performance of either lacking. They’ll also help keep the running costs on the right side of horrendous.

Both have an official combined consumption figure of 40.3mpg, but the reality is likely to be at least 10-15mpg off that. As the xDrive in all the models’ names alludes to, all are four-wheel drive, and all are automatics too, with an eight-speed transmission coming as standard.

Other rivals include conventional SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and even Maserati’s Levante. 

Fancy a new BMW X6? Read our BMW X6 review here. 

Petrol die-hards are more likely to opt for the flagship BMW X6 M, which ups the lunacy a lot, with a corresponding trade-off in economy, although you might just convince yourself that it’s worth it.

The M cars benefit from sophisticated suspension, with a fully adaptive set-up, which helps mitigate roll in bends, giving the BMW X6 agility that belies its size and weight.

Mate that to a chassis that mixes fine body control with a supple ride and accurate steering, and the BMW X6 is genuinely engaging and enjoyable to drive.

If there’s one criticism regarding its dynamics it’s that the steering, while precise enough, doesn’t provide sufficient feel at the wheel.

Even so, the chassis itself offers plenty of grip and huge traction. It makes for a car that you might find impossible to love, but can’t help admire because of its incredible breadth of ability.  

All BMW X6s have the Adaptive M Sport set-up, which allows a choice of stiffer Sport settings, or a more comfortable one rather unambiguously titled Comfort.

Other selectable driver choices include settings for the drivetrain, from economy-based EcoPro modes through Comfort, Sport and Sport+, which alter the characteristics of the transmissions, engine response and steering and chassis systems to suit.

Comfort gives the best all-round compromise in daily driving.

The sleek profile promises a sporting drive, and in fairness to the BMW X6 that’s exactly what it delivers.

The fact it uses the BMW X5 as a base is a good thing, as it has always been among the best in its class for driver appeal, and the BMW X6 simply builds on that.

As desirable as the BMW X6 xDrive50i might be, the smooth V8 is a rare machine in the UK despite its qualities. Blame the fuel consumption for that, as the 29.1mpg official figure is fairly punitive, and it’ll be considerably worse in reality.

As tempting as the smooth, powerful turbocharged V8 is, most BMW X6s use the 3.0-litre turbodiesel. For good reason, too; BMW’s in-line six-cylinder turbodiesel is an impressive engine, with plenty of performance, even in its base xDrive30d form with 258PS on offer.

Given that it shares much the same mpg and emissions figures as its BMW X6 xDrive40d relation, which benefits from 55PS more for a 5.8 second 0-62mph time, it’s difficult not to see the 40d as the better bet.

While the 3.0-litre turbodiesel might lack the outright power figures of its petrol V8 relations, it’s not short of torque in any guise.

That allows it to make light work of the BMW X6’s weight, which allied to the quick-shifting and plentiful ratios of the eight-speed automatic transmission, means the car feels brisk on the move.

This BMW X6 shares the same safety equipment as the BMW X5 on which it is based. That means you get a full range of airbags, ABS brakes, traction control and tyre pressure monitoring.

It also comes with automatic emergency braking, hill descent control and lane keep assist. 

There’s good news here, as the BMW X6 is rated to tow a braked trailer of up to 3500kg, which is as much as a Land Rover Discovery. 

With an unbraked trailer, the BMW X6 can handle up to 750kg.

The standard Sports front seats offer masses of adjustment, and come with heating as standard and covered in Dakota leather.

The rear seats split and fold in a 40/20/40 configuration, allowing through loads, with the boot able to be accessed by waving your foot under the rear bumper.

Rear seat space, despite the sloping roofline, is good, with two adults being comfortably accommodated, and three at a push.

Boot capacity is 580 litres with the seats in place, or 1,525 litres with them folded.

That compares to 650/1,870 litres in the BMW X5, or 770/1,710 litres in a Porsche Cayenne.

Overall, the interior feels and looks of the sort of quality you’d expect at the BMW X6’s price point.

However, you might raise an eyebrow at some of the materials used in areas of the range-topping M models.

It’s familiar BMW fare inside, which means relatively conventional and clear instrumentation – unless you go for the Digital Cockpit or choose the M Sport Edition trim – with a large 10.2-inch screen sitting proud of the centre of the dashboard.

The screen is entirely controlled by the iDrive controller in the transmission tunnel, and it’s easy to navigate and simple to understand.

A BMW X6 xDrive40d M Sport could be yours from £22,000 if you choose an eight-year-old car with around 50,000 miles under its wheels.

This balances performance and economy well, while also being cheaper to buy than an equivalent Porsche Cayenne.

Look for a late model of this BMW X6 generation, and a five-year-old is yours from £30,000.

However, you will have to find a more substantial £37,000 to get behind the wheel of a BMW X6 M.

Set aside any notions of running a BMW X6 on a tight budget. The petrol engines fail to break the 30mpg barrier even on official figures, so reckon on low-20s in the daily grind of a commute.

Much better, and easier on the finances, are the diesels. The BMW X6 xDrive30d delivers a claimed 47.1mpg, while the BMW xDrive40d offers 45.6mpg.

Both are more likely to return in the high 30s in normal driving, which is acceptable for this size of SUV.

Predictably, the diesels are also best when it comes to emissions, so look to the 30d and 40d to minimise your spend on road tax. These models emit 157g/km and 163g/km respectively.

That equates to £240 per year for road tax, while cars registered from 1 April 2017 will pay the flat rate of £180 per annum. Petrol BMW X6s put on the road before that date could require as much as £695 each year for road tax. 

Routine maintenance of a BMW X6 will be much the same as for a BMW X5, so it won’t be cheap. Independent garages can provide some relief, but be aware that the large tyres used will be pricey to replace when they wear down.

You will also find insurance heftier than most BMW X5 variants, with the BMW X6 sitting anywhere from group 41 for the 30d models to the top group 50 for the BMW X6 M.

The range starts off with the BMW X6 SE trim, although few new buyers opted for this.

It comes with leather seats which are heated in the front, dual-zone air conditioning, sat-nav and 19-inch alloy wheels. You also get automatic headlights and wipers, and Bluetooth and DAB radio included.

With the BMW X6 M Sport trim, the equipment list expands with 20-inch alloy wheels, M Sport body kit, electrically adjustable front seats and a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen. You also get adaptive dampers as standard to tailor the suspension to your individual tastes.

The BMW X6 M versions have a standalone specification that includes M Division badging, rear spoiler, more aggressive body kit styling, variable rate Servotronic power-steering and a head-up display for the driver.