Jalopnik
Exterior Design: ***
Like many parts of the BMW X6, its looks are promising yet flawed. Doing a great job of disguising its bulk — the X6 is huge, that lip on the rear hatch is taller than an F-150's tailgate and the pictured wheels are 20-inchers — they're nevertheless awkward in some places — the huge rear end — and disappointingly conservative in others — the boring front. It's an extremely color sensitive shape; white showing off its surfaces best while the burgundy version is just boring.
Interior Design: **
In short: conservative and impractical. By opting for a CLS-style rear console BMW unnecessarily reduced the X6's people capacity to four, but haven't made the interior special enough to justify its lack of space. It's also very color and spec sensitive; the dash looks great covered in dark leather, but the beige plastic found in base versions is just plain tacky. The rear window, big on the outside, looks like little more than a slit from the front seat. The low roofline doesn't compromise rear headroom as much as it looks though, I'm 6'2" and could sit there all day, legroom is equivalent to an X5.
Acceleration: ****
Both the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six and 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 move the X6 forward with real gusto. There's nothing in it below 100mph, but the V8 doesn't taper off at high speeds like the six-cylinder does. The revvy xDrive35i fits the X6's sporty character best, and weighs 264lbs less, making it noticeably more agile.
Braking: *****
Immensely powerful, the brakes haul the heavy X6 up without drama. On the track, they didn't fade and the ABS isn't over conservative, allowing drivers to fully exploit the available grip. The active dampers eliminate dive.
Ride: ****
Back off the pace a bit and the X6 is luxury car comfortable. While the big 315/20s ride firmly, the suspension always keeps things in control on everything from smooth highways to rough dirt tracks. There's less tire noise than you might think, but it's not as quiet as say a 7-series.
Handling: ****
So good you'll forget you're driving an SUV. Dynamic Performance Control is a genuine game changer, think of it as a form of stability control that gives you more control, increases grip to unimaginable levels and does both without interfering by grabbing brakes or cutting power. Other electronics eliminate dive and roll, too.
The laws of physics do eventually intervene and the X6 will understeer, but its limits are unbelievably high. We'd put the X6 up against any sports car on a tight, twisty and wet mountain road, it's just a shame the steering is devoid of feel.
Gearbox: *
The biggest flaw in the X6's driving experience is made worse by the rest of the car's competence. The plastic paddles are counterintuitive to use and provide a disappointing level of control. The automatic's electronic brain is an unpredictable master, you never know when or if it'll allow you to downshift and loves shifting up at unpredictable moments.
Audio: ****
Another journalist remarked to us that he hadn't noticed the sound that emanates from the differential under hard driving as he'd switched the radio on and spent the day in cruise-mode. We did exactly the opposite and were rewarded with two great-sounding engines and the unique mechanical noise coming from the back end. But taking a peak at the X6's options list reveals the kind of fancy audio systems you'd expect from a high-spec luxury car.
Toys: *****
We'd give the X6 five stars here if all it came with was Dynamic Performance Control, any technology that increases driver control, safety and speed at the same time makes us happy boys. It's the antithesis of traditional stability control — which we normally switch off — as it doesn't interfere with your driving. But, the X6 also comes with every other conceivable kid of gizmo, which while impressive, would make us worry about buying an X6 as a used car in a few years' time. The iDrive is better than ever as well, spend a few minutes getting used to it and you'll be rewarded with rapid, intuitive access to all the vehicle's settings.
Value: *
The X6 costs over $8,500 more than an equivalent X5. While it does drive considerably better, it offers a lot less utility. Having said that, it doesn't set out to be a practical package, more a car that people will want rather than one they'll need.
Overall: ***
Faster and better to drive than any vehicle this big, this heavy and this tall has any right to be, we'd love to be able to give it more stars, but ultimately its flaws compromise its ability to too great a degree.
Having said that, with the X6, driving is believing. Put your preconceptions and prejudices aside and take one for a spin, you'll be amazed. But fitting one into your life might prove a slightly less exciting experience.
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Comments
How about putting the Dynamic Performance Control on the M3 or 135i?
Direct from the new BMW Alabama design studio!
If all that existed in the world was SUVs, this would be quite a fine vehicle.
But it just irritates me that by offering this vehicle, they will inevitably trim the options on the 5-series wagon and other vehicles that are probably far better suited to most people's needs. This is an answer to a question nobody asked, and a need that nobody had. But it will sell because of the little white propeller logo and a sh*tload of marketing dollars in the SUV-withdrawal no-man's-land of today's auto marketing.
Hrm, horrid gear box? Sub par exterior and interior design? WTH is going on at BMW. I think CAR put it best:
".. a vast two and a bit tone 4x4 that is mechanically based on the fine x5 but seats only TWO in comfort. It mixes the WORST aspects of a large SUV (big, heavy, thirsty) with the least pleasant characteristics fo a coupe (cramped, impractical). It makes about as much sense as mixing Marilyn Monroe's brain with Winston Churchill's body. But it is to 21st century street presence what the Titanic must have been to Southampton docks in 1912".
When do we get BMW's with class leading gearboxes, exterior designs, and above par interiors again?
Can you get them to hand you a 535xi?
AWD twin-turbo 6:
I, like most here, just don't get this car.
BMW makes the BEST luxury sport sedans/coupes in my mind. I get making the SUV's to make profits in a popular segment, but this just doesn't make sense. I'm guessing they were jealous of the Porsche Cayenne's "sportiness" in the SUV world?
Side profile shows a hint of 'Aztec'. Never a good thing.
Sigh....
It's not horrendously hideous like Porsche's Cayenne or Bimmer's gruesome 7-series monstrosity, but it's a step in the wrong direction for BMW, IMO.
20 inchers, eh? I hope tires come with the included maintenance package BMW offers.
To each his own! I've been saying this since the concept... I like it!
However, if auto makers can produce the same power and range in an electric car as my current ride, I'm game. If not, this is on my list in three years.
3 stars for a vehicle with a horrible gearbox and steering devoid of feel? Not very Jalopnik IMO. I don't understand how a vehicle with these flaws could possibly be enjoyable to drive. I hope you can explain this conundrum in part III.
It is like meeting your friend's mom and she is hot. It is disgusting, but you can not help but look. I would never buy this thing and I agree with all the badness...but something draws me to it. Maybe it is so fugly, it is cool?
Fat-ass humpbacked white whale. I guess hat would make BMW Captain Ahab and their P&L statements the Pequod.
If there is any justice, they will get a short and disastrous Nantucket sleighride.
/end nautical motif.
@Novaload: Removing old tiles over the weekend. Did you know they can be razor sharp? Multiple finger cuts = impaired typing.
"The BMW X6 - for assholes that want the overconfidence of a sports car and the lethal mass of an SUV."
I need a Bromo
4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....!!!!
Nail on the head with the value of this thing. It's expensive and in every way a compromise. But it's purpose seems to be just that, more a status symbol than a useful vehicle. It doesn't help BMW's image, in my opinion. I don't think it will worsen BMW's Ultimate Dickhead Machine status, but I think that it is watering down BMW's brand image of (reasonably) affordable drivability and luxury. From the review, they've kept that drivability and luxury, but the whole package seems like the idea of a bossman in the marketing department.
So it's an SUV with no utility. Hmm. Thanks for that there BMW, I don't know what we would have done without a vehicle nobody wanted in the first place.
F150s bed height is already about level with the empire state building lately. I didnt realize this thing was so frickin huge! I thought it was just a porky sedan they threw a hatch on and a bit of a lift.
meh. the looks are too detracting.
the fact that it is the "X6" and not the "X7" as the size, and door configuration would denote is a big detraction.
ill pass. if it is an suv you want, get and x5. if it is a car you want, get a 7 series. if it is a coupe, get a 6 series.
@Xman: The same reason that the GMC Denali Yukon can get 3 stars for handling in a Jalopnik Review. They get compared with other vehicles in the segment, not on an absolute scale.
@Xman: I'm sorry, are you not literate?
"Faster and better to drive than any vehicle this big, this heavy and this tall has any right to be, we'd love to be able to give it more stars, but ultimately its flaws compromise its ability to too great a degree.
Having said that, with the X6, driving is believing. Put your preconceptions and prejudices aside and take one for a spin, you'll be amazed. But fitting one into your life might prove a slightly less exciting experience."
Hey Wes, are there any exterior differences between the 35i and 50i?
At the rate Bimmers are bloating, the X6 is simply a preview to the 2012 M3. Get used to it.
@racerx: Not really, the 50i comes with chrome trim around the windows, which doesn't look as good as the black seen here. The front and rear fascias are identical too. Stuff like wheels and interior trim is all on the options list too. I'd go for the 35i, spec it up a bit inside and add the 20" wheels.
@Wes Siler:
I completely believe it handles better than anything in its class. However, I just don't know who the hell is buying in this segment (which to me consists of Cayanne and maybe RR Sport) for handling anyways?
At this price you could get a used X5 and new 335I, both being preferable for any application, and way better to have the options driving something truly suited to the job. Not to mention how many camino's you could buy.
@rlj676: Personally, I wouldn't buy this car. More used to superbikes, I find the performance of anything this side of an M3 to be significantly lacking.
The point is that people do buy vehicles like the Cayenne and RR Sport and then cite the handling as a reason. As much as that boggles you and I, it's still relevant.
And the handling's not just best in class, it's genuinely outstanding and better than most sedans and wagons and probably many a supposed sports car too. I know I'd rather drive this than an XKR for instance: [jalopnik.com]
@cxw175: I think a better analogy would be going on a blind date with a sister of the hot girl at work/school that you can't get a date with. You figure she has to be at least as hot as the hot sister but when you meet and go out with her you come to the conclusion that she has to be adopted.
@poxpopulus: What about the rate that everything else is bloating at? Let's compare the current Ford Mustang to the Mustang of 15 years ago and see how much bloat it's gotten. I mean come on, it's a valid complaint, but it's not just BMW designing heavier and bigger new vehicles too. Frankly, with the size of new cars, it's a testament to the engineering and materials used that they don't weigh about 2,000 lbs more. If a car the size of the X6 was built with the same technology as a 1969 Chevelle, it'd weigh twice what it does.
@rlj676: In your case, wouldn't those be Rancheros?
@Wes Siler: Many points for doing donuts in the grass with it. With the right tires, this could make a fun amateur rally vehicle (as long as the sponsors are paying the bills).
@Wes Siler:
I can believe it drives better than the XKR, barely, but there's no way in hell I'd rather buy this. That XKR is way too sexy as opposed to this thing. Unfortunately I rarely drive somewhere you can push your car, so I wouldn't get to really explore the limits of either.
Detroit isn't exactly known for great highways. Motor city has some of the shittiest roads known to man.
@Mad_Science:
Nah, the Camino is definitely the prefered ride of that vintage and style.
Now Mustang Vs Camaro of classic years, I'd be tough to really pick a favorite.
I'm not what I'd call a "fanboy" of Ford. I'm very "committed" to the brand and company, but am well aware of all of the other great cars out there.
@Mad_Science: I was thinking the same thing.
I hope the rumoured M version ends up being a Paris-Dakar (or is that El Dakar now?) race vehicle, something like a really hot version of the Bowler Wildcat:
[www.comp.co.uk]
@Wes Siler:
@Mad_Science:
Looks like you guys actually found a "practical" use for this thing.
@elwood:
True, most cars today suffer from gross corpulence. But BMW made its name with performance, epecially in M guise. A 3700lbs M3 is troubling, and dual eight way power heated seats, 600 Watt stereos with multiple amps and twelve speakers, leather lined glove boxes, navigation systems, etc. are a large part of the problem.
@Unregular: 4.4 L Twin Turbo V8 + Dynamic Performance control + M3 = Heaven.
i would love to just go back to my original comment when this car hit the jalop page... (something like 'the new STI seems to have a long lost german cousin') but... i've seen the STI in person a number of times now... and i don't think i can disgrace it that way...
must agree with Mad_Science....... i want the 5 series wagon!!!!!
shit.... i want the US to realize that i wagon is an option (oh wait... it isn't really over here... but it should be)
did a ridiculously large number of kids growing up in the 80s have bad wagon experiences that make them reject them now?? i was born in '82... and can't think of any better times than putting on puppet shows out the rear facing seat of GM full sizers through nebraska/iowa/missouri...
let alone the fun of driving up pike's peak while looking back down it..
or "oh wait... we'd better pull over so you're mom can catch" (in the truck) 'but dad... you're going the speed limit..'
"um no, not really.. i have larger wheels and tires on the back end... so i've probably been going at least 10 over for the last hour or more" (that was the trip to trade our last of 'the full sized wagons' (as my dad put it) for a '93 caprice sedan-- for his road-trip style business)
blabber blabber blabber *plug john baldwin GM/chevrolet & sequioa consulting group*
bed time again... hope i haven't wasted anybody's *valuable* time
@chrystlubitshi: The 5 series most definitely is available in a wagon here, and with the 3.5 TT no less. The 535 is such a beautiful work of wagon-y perfection that my wagon-loving but BMW-hating coworker simply had to choose it over all other options. Yes, I'm looking at YOU, Audi - he was a guaranteed buyer of an A6 wagon, but noooOOOOOOoooo... you refuse to offer it with a decent engine anymore in the US, presumably because you want to drive Q7 sales. LAME, Audi. Lame.
so basically it's a bag of crap with a torque vectoring differential ("Dynamic Performance Control"). This review reinforces my belief that torque vectoring is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
@chrystlubitshi and brownie: Yeah, that pic is straight out of a "Build your BMW" session over at bmwusa.com.
Good news: it appears to be available with a proper 3-pedal 6 speed. 6MT + 3.5L TT + AWD = serious competition for an A6.
Bad news: as I built it (18" wheels and sport package were my only options), it's like $58k.
You'd never find a used one so-configured, but luckily you could do a build-to-order and then sign over your firstborn at Your Local BMW Dealer.
@Mad_Science: But the 5 is much better with RWD, AWD is a big conspiracy, don't buy into it. And since when wasn't the 5 head and shoulders better than an A6?
@brownie: thank you for the correction... hadn't seen that on indy's luxo-lots for a good long while... but most definitely good to know that once i have enough $$ to think about a "newer" vehicle.... i have options (say..... a6 all-road, merc3 wagon, and beamer 535xi.. oh god.. i need to do laundry now..)
@Mad_Science: i want an oil burner diesel king/queen wagon to rule them all!
or maybe my parent's neighbors will finally decide to sell one of their few AMC Eagle wagons... or die off... i don't know.. have to find my 'cool' factor in some ridiculously uncool vehicle... (cannot wait until i can finally make my summit DL a 4wd turbo (stock looking) model... light weighted of course...)
X6... right
umm... right
@Wes Siler: California Highway Patrol would disagree with out on the AWD thing.
They require chains at the drop of a single snowflake...unless you have AWD/4wd. I spent one mountain trip clunking along on clear roads with chains on and swore off 2wd for mountain duty.
Re: A6...The point being I didn't know you could get a proper stick in a 5 Series wagon with a decent engine. I'm pretty sure you can't get an A6 Avant with a clutch.
@Mad_Science: The CHP also rides motorcycles in horse riding boots and jodhpurs.
@Mad_Science: Nor can you get an A6 Avant with anything other than the 3.2, which in that bloated pig will make you want to strangle yourself.
Not that I'm bitter or anything, but seriously Audi - you have stuffed the 4.2 into everything in Ingolstadt, including probably your nose and most certainly your ass, but you can't even put in the god damn US-spec A6 wagon? What is wrong with you???
Back to BMW...