We remember the original BMW X6. It was the first of its kind and looked like nothing else on the market. It was first launched back in 2008 and its looks had much debate on it. However, over the years, rivaling car manufacturers have followed suit with their own SUV-Coupes, and the latest BMW X6 is now better accepted than before. The model has been quite popular globally as well. Here in India, the X6 competes with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Audi’s Q8, and Merc’s GLE Coupe.
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A bolder looker
The new BMW X6 gets a design language that is perfectly in sync with all BMW Cars. It gets a sharply-cut, forward-looking silhouette. The rear gets a squared-off look and the L-shaped taillights look great. Viewed from the side, you’ll notice the low roof, the creases on the sides, and mildly flared wheel arches. Up-front, the grille is a lot bigger, the headlights are wider and a lot of surfaces are new. This is not a design that will appeal to all, but it works.
Customers can also have the grille of their BMW X6 illuminated. The new BMW X6 is longer, wider, and lower and the X-Line model gets equipped with air suspension. The M Sport model, on the other hand, gets coil springs.
Turbo Surge
The BMW X6 xDrive40i gets a 3.0-liter, in-line, 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 335bhp, paired to an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, with power being sent to all four wheels through the brand’s electronically controlled xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The engine is smooth and responds well to throttle inputs. ZF’s 8-speed transmission is slick and quick, both.
Keep your foot pinned to the throttle and the X6 accelerates in a way that’s sure to leave you grinning. It pulls to the redline seamlessly. Performance is sufficient, but that sudden spike in power from a turbo motor is absent. The power delivery from the X6 is linear and progressive, so there’s no sudden surge in power. It’s built to take on long journeys and will crush road imperfections in doing so. Ride quality is a bit on the stiff side, particularly at low speeds.
With the coil springs and adjustable dampers, the car begins to feel a bit heavy on its wheels. As you pick up speed though, the comfort inside improves as the suspension soak in the rough stuff better. It’s also very composed, but at high speeds, tire noise can be heard. For something this big, the X6 corners surprisingly well and the steering feels nice and direct. The car turns into corners nicely, but there is body roll as speed piles up. However, it still is responsive and agile.
If you carry more speed into a corner, the X6 tightens itself up well. Even the electronically assisted differential at the back gives you loads of confidence, but we think Porsche’s Cayenne Coupe eats it for breakfast in this department.
Any X-factor
Step into the X6, and you will be taken aback by its sheer width. The cabin is of very high quality; there’s a lot of double-stitched leather, well-built plastics, beautifully finished metallic inserts, and chrome too. We couldn’t spot cheap bits around and the 12.3-inch touchscreen gets gesture control and we absolutely fell in love with the M Sport steering, which gets wrapped in leather and sports metallic spokes.
You even get features like cooled and heated cup holders and a big elbow box. The huge front seats are a nice blend of cushioning and support. There is improved legroom and shoulder room in the second row but the rear bench is positioned low because of the sloping roof. Legroom is aplenty too and passengers at the back have a good view outside. Boot space is good at 580 liters. On the M-spec version, the car gets M-Sport metal pedals, wireless Apple Car Play, a panoramic sunroof, an M Sport exhaust system, auto high-beam switching, and blinds on the rear windows.
Marks The Spot
For those looking for something that bit sportier than an SUV from BMW Cars, the X6 makes a good case for itself. It looks nothing like the one before and the cabin is built and equipped to impress you in more ways than one. And what’s more, it drives like a BMW. The price is a bit too much, but it undercuts its rivals in terms of pricing. The new BMW X6 is definitely worth a look. Also, read the latest car comparisons, only at autoX.
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