BMW X6 Review (2019-present)

What is the BMW X6?

Haters are going to hate, but for everyone who doesn’t like - or understand the appeal of - the BMW X6, there are plenty of others who find it desirable, and, crucially, who have bought one. So much so, the X6 hasn’t just endured, but actually flourished. It's now in its third generation, and selling very well indeed, for a car that even BMW itself admits it took a bit of a gamble on. Indeed, the X6 has proved so successful that BMW took the formula and applied it further down its range, creating the X4 out of the X3, while the majority of its premium rivals all now offer alternatives, with the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (and Mercedes-AMG GLE), Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe all pinching BMW’s idea to create more dramatically styled - if slightly less practical - spin-offs from their conventional SUV models.

How practical is it?

The Coupe SUV formula is fairly simple, too, the X6 is based heavily on its BMW X5 relation, only where the X5 has a large boxy rear end to accommodate lots of luggage and give plenty of rear headroom, the X6 sees its roofline taper from behind the front seats. That give it its coupe-like profile, albeit one situated on an elevated, high-riding SUV platform. An odd mix, perhaps, but one that’s undoubtedly worked, with people evidently more than happy to put up with the compromises the X6 brings over the X5 for its more striking styling outside. Practicality aside, the interior is all but identical, from the dashboard layout, the steering wheel, the touchscreen and iDrive infotainment system, through to the seats and trim levels.

Choice isn’t a bad thing, though, and not every SUV buyer wants to tow a horsebox and has a family to accommodate in the back seats. Even if they do, the X6 is adept at either role, indeed, the boot is still sizeable at 580 litres, or as much as 1,530 litres if you fold its rear seats.

What's it like to drive?

It’s among the more enjoyable, sporty SUVs to drive, too, with taut suspension and adjustable drive modes, with air suspension for the top models. Despite BMW's passion for rear-wheel drive, all X6s are four-wheel drive – xDrive in BMW speak – while even the lowliest engine in the line-up is capable of excellent performance, especially given the size and not inconsiderable weight of the X6.

The X6 M50i might be the range-topping performance model with its ability to reach 62mph in 4.3 seconds, but no X6 can be described as slow. Indeed, the ‘slowest’ is the X6 xDrive30d, which takes 6.1 seconds to reach 62mph, which, to put in context, is 0.3 seconds quicker than that bastion of hot-hatch performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The X6 xDrive40i takes 5.7 seconds and the X6 xDrive40d manages it in 5.5 seconds. It’s a case of quick, quicker and quickest, then, with all able to offer sparkling performance.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The range starts from around £60,000, but that is before you’ve dipped into the extensive and expensive options list, as you inevitably will. Trim levels start with Sport, with M Sport above that, while BMW’s M division offers the range-topping M50i with a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 petrol with 523bhp. The xDrive40i with 328bhp is the other petrol choice, while a pair of turbodiesels badged xDrive30d and xDrive40d are also available.

The diesels are 282bhp and 335bhp, respectively, with both being versions of BMW’s impressive 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel. All are all-wheel-drive and come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Despite being the lowliest model, Sport trim still comes with standard equipment including leather upholstery, powered and heated front seats, a powered tailgate, automatic lights and wipers, a sophisticated parking assistant and the full range of infotainment functionality including Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

BMW X6 running costs

If running costs really are a concern then you’re looking at the wrong vehicle. Any X6 is expensive to buy, and run, but the likelihood is you know that already. The cheapest to buy will, unsurprisingly, cost you the least to run, with the X6 xDrive30d Sport being the entry point to the range, and offering the best fuel economy and emissions; 39.2mpg to 42.8mpg, depending on wheel options. Bigger wheels on all increase the running costs in relation to emissions, so you need to weigh up whether you’re prepared to put up with the extra CO2 emissions that come with the 20- and 22-inch optional wheels.

If you want near-M50i levels of performance, then the xDrive40d is a fine choice, it dropping the possible mpg compared with its xDrive30d relation by 3-4mpg, but it still being more palatable than the low-to-mid-20mpg you’ll get with the range-topping M model. All need a few options to make your X6 as good as it can be, so expect to spend a good 10-15% more than the list price when buying it.

Insurance on all will be costly, with all but the diesels being the highest grouping of 50, those diesels being group 49. All come with a three-year warranty as standard, with the opportunity to extend that further for an additional payment. Servicing can be done via BMW’s pay-monthly service plan, it costing £30 a month (for 36 months) and covers two services. Additional running costs associated with the X6 include subscription charges for things like BMW Apps, Connected Music and lots more under BMW’s Connected Drive services, these being free for the first three years of ownership.

The biggest cost for owners will be depreciation, with it accounting for a sizeable chunk of the running costs. That’s even more true of the highest price, highest performance models, with these not retaining their value as well as the bigger volume models. The additional fuel and servicing costs on things like the M50i model will also be far more punitive than those for an xDrive30d, but buyers of these range-topping models will be well aware of that.

BMW X6 reliability

At the time of writing, the new X6 is only around 12 months old, so there’s very little detail of any common faults, if indeed there are any at all. With new models there are usually some teething issues, and owner surveys suggest around one in four owners have required some warranty work doing on their X6 within the first year.

BMW might be a premium brand, but it’s a volume seller these days, too, and there’s evidence of the dealers slipping in regard to customer service. Indeed, in recent surveys BMW has scored poorly for owner satisfaction, being ranked in the bottom third of manufacturers. If there’s one glimmering hope it’s higher – only just - than its key rival Mercedes-Benz, but behind Audi. Reliability surveys are very open to interpretation, though, with many BMW owners delighted with their cars, their reliability, and the service they get from the dealers.