2019 BMW X6 M

Overview

The BMW X6 M is a style item: It has sleek lines, a plush interior, and a coveted badge on the hood. It's also stunningly quick and handles more like a sports car than anything that weighs 5000 pounds should. With its 567-hp twin-turbo V-8, all-wheel drive, and graceful yet powerful design, the 2019 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. Then there's the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 coupe, 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 2019?

BMW basically updated the standard features on the 2019 X6 M. Every model now includes blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, low-speed automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and speed limit info. BMW includes a one-year subscription to Apple CarPlay as standard.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, Performance, and Towing

Likes: A friggin' blast to drive, hugely powerful engine, fast-reacting transmission.
Dislikes: Ride is sometimes rough, too many selectable drive-mode configurations.

The 567-hp twin-turbo V-8 that propels the X6 M will get most of the credit for its outstanding performance numbers, but the smooth, adaptable eight-speed automatic and the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system deserve recognition, too. As with the closely related BMW X5 M, the X6 M is astoundingly quick. It raced from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds in our instrumented testing. The Bimmer doesn't lose any edge when passing at speed, either. Its 2.9-second 50-to-70-mph time means no freeway on-ramp is too short to exploit the M's eager powertrain. It may not look much like a traditional SUV, but the X6 M can tow 6000 pounds, making it the median tow vehicle versus similar competitors.

Despite its tall body (at least compared to traditional sports cars) and prodigious weight, the X6 M grips the road and sweeps through corners like a much smaller car. However, it also rides like a sports car in the least desirable way, and even the softest Comfort drive mode will still feel harsh to drivers who are accustomed to driving more conventional SUVs with more compliant suspensions. 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. The X6 M only needed 153 feet to come to a stop from 70 mph in our testing. That's an excellent result for a vehicle of any size (by comparison, the McLaren 570S stopped in 151 feet during our testing), and the Bimmer's brake pedal was firm and responsive.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

It should come as no surprise that the X6 M, with its twin-turbo V-8 engine, is a gas guzzler (there's no gas-guzzler tax, however, because trucks and SUVs are exempt). None of its competitors are particularly efficient, either. The EPA estimates it'll earn 14 mpg city and 19 highway. Surprisingly, the X6 M we tested beat expectations by earning 21 mpg on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Attractive interior, user-friendly infotainment system, plentiful cubby storage.
Dislikes: Rear seat not ideal for adults, no Android Auto, stunted cargo hold.

Leather seats and interior trim are standard on the X6 M, 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 Executive package. The only major feature missing from the M's options list is massaging seats. That enviable feature is available in both the Range Rover Sport and the Volvo XC90. While the Bimmer's front seat is spacious and comfortable, the rear seat isn't nearly so commodious. With limited head- and legroom, back-seat passengers pay the biggest price for the X6 M's sleek exterior design.

BMW's infotainment system is easy to use, performed well in our testing, and can be equipped with virtually every feature we report on except Android Auto; Apple CarPlay is standard. To get mobile Wi-Fi requires 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. The iDrive infotainment system is operated with a rotary knob and touchscreen commands. It's an intuitive system that's easy to operate and minimally distracting.

Need further evidence that the X6 M's cargo area is oddly shaped? Consider this: The Maserati Levante held two more carry-on bags behind its second row than the X6 M (six total) despite a seven-cubic-foot deficit in cargo space. And with just one more cubic foot of room in its trunk than the X6 M, a Range Rover Sport held three extra bags. Despite its cargo-stowing shortcomings, the Bimmer provides plenty of space for personal effects. 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.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The X6 M hasn't been tested by either of the two U.S. crash-ratings agency, and it's missing some key driver assists. However, several pieces of advanced technology are standard. Key safety features include:

• Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitoring

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

BMW and its competitors offer very similar warranty coverage periods, but BMW and Volvo stand out by including three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance with each purchase of a new vehicle.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles