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- Highs Fast, excellent handling, tons of standard features.
- Lows Stiff ride, cramped rear seat, cargo space compromised by the steeply raked roof.
- Verdict The 2018 BMW X6 M delivers bundles of speed and excellent handling, although its harsh ride does not make it a comfortable family road-tripper.
Overview
Just as two wrongs don’t make a right, blending two good things together doesn’t always make a better one. But a really good mix? BMW’s monster coupe/SUV swirl, the BMW X6 M. With its 567-hp twin-turbo V-8, all-wheel drive, and graceful yet powerful design, the X6 M is almost one of a kind. There are compromises, of course. The X6 M is not designed for comfortable family road trips or even back-seat passengers. Rather, it’s built for physics-defying speed and handling. The Mercedes-AMG GLE63 coupe is the X6 M’s fiercest and only direct competitor. But did you see where we mentioned the Bimmer’s 567 horsepower?
What's New for 2018?
The X6 M sees only minor trim changes for 2018. Blind-spot monitoring, which was previously only available as part of the now-defunct Driving Assistance Plus package, is now a standalone option or can be had as part of the Executive package.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- X6 M: $106,095
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The X6 M only has one available powertrain, but it’s a doozy. The engine is extremely powerful, and paired with a fast-reacting eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a smart all-wheel-drive system, it’s a blast to drive. Drivers who choose an X6 M make few, if any, performance concessions compared with those who choose, say, an M6 Gran Coupe. The X6 M’s ride is sometimes rough, but its performance numbers are astonishing, and it’s a hoot to drive. There's no getting around it: X6 M rides like a sports car. Even the softest Comfort setting will still feel harsh to drivers who are accustomed to more conventional SUVs. We place at least some of the blame for the rough ride on the X6 M’s low-profile tires, which come standard even on the optional 20-inch wheels (21s are standard). No matter which wheels you choose, the rears are wider by 1.5 inches. Building a car that can go fast is only half the battle; quick but clumsy is no one’s idea of a performance automobile. And the X6 M, despite its tall body (at least compared to traditional sports cars) and prodigious weight, grips the road and sweeps through corners like a much smaller car.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.
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 X6’s 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, require drivers to purchase the X6 M’s pricey Executive package. The only major feature missing from the M’s options list is massaging seats. On paper, the X6 M’s cargo measurements make it competitive in its class, but when real luggage enters the picture, the story changes. In-cabin storage for personal items is plentiful, but the steeply raked roof detracts from the usefulness of the cargo area. The center console is of average size, but the large, wide-open door pockets make up for that deficiency, and the X6 M offers significantly more storage space for rear-seat passengers than do its competitors.
Infotainment and Connectivity
BMW’s iDrive 5.0 system is easy to use, performed well in our testing, and it can be equipped with Apple CarPlay and virtually every other feature we report on except Android Auto. The X6M is slightly edged out in this area by the Maserati Levante, which uses a minimally disguised version of Chrysler’s excellent Uconnect infotainment system. Mobile Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay require the expensive Executive package, but otherwise all of the X6 M’s infotainment features, including navigation and real-time traffic and weather information, are standard. iDrive is operated with a rotary knob and touchscreen commands. It’s an intuitive system that’s easy to operate and minimally distracting.
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.
