BMW X6 review

The BMW X6 has powerful engines and a luxurious, high-tech cabin. You’ll forgo some space and practicality versus a BMW X5 though, and spend more doing it. 

Buy or lease the BMW X6 at a price you’ll love
We take the hassle and haggle out of car buying by finding you great deals from local and national dealers
RRP £63,745 - £83,045 Avg. carwow saving £3,439 off RRP
carwow price from
Cash
£60,599
Monthly
£813*
Used
£62,000
Ready to see prices tailored to you?
Compare new offers Compare used deals
wowscore
7/10
This score is awarded by our team of
expert reviewers
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers
after extensive testing of the car

What's good

  • Strong yet efficient engines
  • High quality feel inside
  • Great to drive for a large SUV

What's not so good

  • Pricer yet less practical than an X5
  • M50d's fake engine noise
  • No seat lumbar support as standard

Find out more about the BMW X6

Is the BMW X6 a good car?

The BMW X6 is a large coupe-style SUV with strong engines and seating for five. It’s a sleeker version of the BMW X5 and an alternative to the similarly-styled Mercedes GLE Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

The X6 gives you the classic, chunky proportions that you expect from an off-roader, but also a rakishly angled roof that echoes the sleek lines of a sports car. As is the trend in recent BMWs, the trademark ‘kidney’ grille is now enormous. It’s also available with illumination, to make it even more, er, eye-catching.

Inside the look and feel is very BMW X5, which is a good thing. It has an interesting design but functional button layout and everything feels extremely well put together. It also means you get BMW’s Professional infotainment system, which is easy to use, stunning to look at and crammed full of the latest tech.

Less impressive is the X6’s space and practicality. OK, so you’ll seat four adults just fine inside, but the X6 loses some rear headroom in the name of style compared with the X5, plus its middle seat is quite uncomfortable. Its boot is smaller than an X5’s (and the Mercedes’ or Porsche’s) and a more awkward shape thanks to its sloping roofline. You’re paying a premium over the X5 for this, remember.

The BMW X6 was the coupe SUV that started the discussion – you either love or hate the way it looks. This one has a light-up grille. I’ll just leave that there for you.

Mat Watson
Mat Watson
carwow expert

The engine range starts with two straight-six units: the diesel-powered xDrive 30d and the petrol xDrive 40i. The former is the cheapest, getting 265hp, which is enough to take the car from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds.

The M50d diesel is armed with a faintly ridiculous four turbochargers. It has 400hp and can go from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds. At the top of the range is the M50i petrol unit. It’s the X6’s only V8, capable of reaching 62mph from a standstill in a blinding 4.3 seconds. All BMW X6s come with all-wheel-drive and an automatic gearbox.

Even the 30d and 40i engines are extremely strong, but given the 30d is the cheapest and most fuel-efficient of the range it makes the most sense. Whichever engine you choose, the X6 feels bulky but comfortable in town and more agile than it has any right to be on a country road given its size. On the motorway, it’s supremely comfy and quiet with the latest driver assistance tech available.

The BMW X6 is a mixed bag, then. It’s superb to drive, has a lovely cabin and some of the best infotainment on sale. We can’t help feeling you’re better off just spending less money on the more practical X5, however.

Still, if you disagree, love marmite and therefore the X6’s looks, you should head to our deals page where you and see how much money you can save on one.

Buy or lease the BMW X6 at a price you’ll love
We take the hassle and haggle out of car buying by finding you great deals from local and national dealers
RRP £63,745 - £83,045 Avg. carwow saving £3,439 off RRP
carwow price from
Cash
£60,599
Monthly
£813*
Used
£62,000
Ready to see prices tailored to you?
Compare new offers Compare used deals
BMW X6
Build your own X6 on carwow
Save on average £3,439 off RRP
  • Customise colour, engine, trim & much more
  • Receive offers from local and national dealers
  • Compare by price, location, buyer reviews and availability
  • Using carwow is 100% free and confidential