Introduction
What Car? says...
Finding a truly unique car is rare, but the BMW X6 used to be just that. When the original version was launched, we'd never seen a vehicle that combined a chunky SUV body with the kind of sleek, sloping roofline you’d usually see on a sporty coupé. Thus was born the coupé SUV.
It was a concept that divided opinion and, while the X6 is now in its third generation, it continues to do so today. To some people it's a car that simply makes no sense, because it’s both more expensive and less practical than the X5 it’s based on. To others, its blend of function and form makes it one of the most desirable cars on the planet.
All are well-equipped and a long options list gives you scope to further tailor your car. You can even add LED strips that outline BMW’s signature split front grille, lighting it up like a beacon.
Just how good is the latest X6, though, and how does it compare with all those rivals, in particular the Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne Coupé and Range Rover Velar? Well, that's what we'll be examining over the next few pages of this review.
If at the end you decide you do want to buy an X6, or indeed another car of any make and model, make sure you check out the deals available through the free What Car? New Car Buying service to see how much we could help you to save.
FAQs
We don’t have any specific reliability data for the current BMW X6 but BMW came 13th out of 30 car makers in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey. That was behind Lexus but ahead of Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes and Volvo. Read more here
You can’t buy the BMW X6 as a fully electric car or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) but most of the petrol and diesel engines (including our favourite, the xDrive30d MHT diesel) have mild-hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Read more here
We favour the BMW X6 xDrive30d MHT in M Sport trim. It has a very smooth six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel engine that packs lots of punch low down in the rev range. M Sport is not much more expensive than the well-equipped entry-level Sport trim and adds 21in alloy wheels (you get 19in on Sport), an M Sport braking system, black exterior trim highlights, a more aggressive body kit, a sports steering wheel and other kit. Read more here
The BMW X6 has not been safety tested by Euro NCAP because it is so closely related to the BMW X5. The X5’s five-star rating and solid category scores indicate that they are both safe cars, though. The X6 comes with front-collision warning and automatic emergency braking (AEB) fitted as standard. Read more here
Very good. The BMW X6 comes with a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system that can be controlled by prodding the screen or using the iDrive rotary dial controller on the centre console. The dial is much less distracting to use while you’re driving than touchscreen-only set-ups. An optional ‘gesture control’ feature (part of the Technology Pack) allows you to wave near the screen to activate functions but is not particularly responsive. Read more here
The BMW X6 has 580 litres of boot space, which is big enough for a family’s holiday luggage. The car’s coupé SUV styling means it narrows towards the entrance so it’s not as easy to load up as the squarer BMW X5. The back seats in the X6 fold down in three sections, split 40/20/40, to give you a big load space when needed. Read more here
| RRP price range | £65,740 - £85,440 |
|---|---|
| Number of trims (see all) | 3 |
| Number of engines (see all) | 4 |
| Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | petrol, diesel |
| MPG range across all versions | 25.2 - 42.8 |
| Available doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / No mileage cap |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £4,792 / £6,143 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £9,583 / £12,287 |
| Available colours |
