Select a year
- Highs Muscular styling, astonishing performance, long list of standard features.
- Lows Steep base price, cramped rear seat, ride might be too stiff for some drivers.
- Verdict The X6 M has the menacing looks, awesome power, and sports-car handling that are sure to please buyers who like a little heat with their SUVs.
Overview
The BMW X6 M has a low, swooping roofline that makes the rear seats uncomfortable and the cargo area nearly useless, and most of its best attributes can be found at a lower price in the much more sensible X5 M. But despite the impracticalities of BMW’s take on the SUV/coupe mashup, trend-setting drivers with an appetite for power have few other choices. The Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S coupe is one that matches the X6 M note for note on performance and style. Otherwise, the BMW’s combination of unstoppable power, all-wheel drive, and muscular design is hard to come by elsewhere. Skeptics who deride you for spending six figures on an SUV that can’t even accommodate an average Costco haul can be silenced with a firm prod of the gas pedal.
What's New for 2017?
The X6 M saw only slight changes for 2017. There’s an updated version of the BMW iDrive infotainment system, the available Executive package now includes wireless charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot, and buyers can choose individualized colors for the car’s exterior paint and interior leather trim.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Base: $105,095
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The X6 M only has one available powertrain, but it’s a doozy. The 4.4-liter 567-hp twin-turbo V-8 will get most of the credit for the X6 M's outstanding performance numbers, but the smooth, adaptable eight-speed automatic and the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system deserve recognition, too. The all-wheel-drive system is notable for its ability to send up to 100 percent of the available torque to either the front or rear wheels, depending on demand, and it can also apportion torque between the rear wheels to improve stability when cornering. Drivers who choose an X6 M make few, if any, performance concessions. Its ride is a little rough, but the performance numbers are astonishing, and it’s a hoot to drive. Despite its tall body and prodigious weight, the X6 M grips the road and sweeps through corners like a much smaller, sportier car.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The X6 M’s interior is attractive, and many desirable features are standard, but the rear seat isn’t an ideal place for adults. That’s an almost unavoidable sacrifice in light of the fastback body style, but BMW faithful who need four or five comfortable seats should look to the mechanically identical but more accommodating X5 M instead. Leather seats and interior trim are standard, as are a power-adjustable steering wheel and heated front seats. Some desirable features, including heated rear seats and ventilation for the front seats, are available in the Executive package. The X6 M’s cargo measurements make it competitive in its class on paper, but the raked roof negatively affects the usefulness of the cargo area. In-cabin storage is plentiful, though, so there's plenty of space for small personal items.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The latest BMW iDrive infotainment system is new to the X6 M this year. It’s easy to use, performed well in our testing, and can be equipped with virtually every feature we track except Android Auto. Apple CarPlay is optional, and Wi-Fi is only available in the expensive Executive package, but otherwise all of the X6 M’s infotainment features, including navigation, Bluetooth, and a 16-speaker audio system, are standard.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the BMW X6 M’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
