Take the practical BMW X5 back to the plant and give it a slanted roof. You get reduced cargo space and rear headroom, less practicality, and a BMW X6. While that may scream “no-no,” a closer look at the BMW X6 shows that it is an outstanding marriage of fashion and function and an SUV with its unique identity.
The midsize luxury SUV, reputed as the pathfinder in the SUV Coupe segment, has seen some performance and design overhauls over the years. BMW introduced the third (and current) generation in 2019. But the automaker has added even more features to make anyone glad to open the wallet for the 2024 BMW X6. Think about improved styling, next-level technology, compelling luxury, more power, and more perks. The German automaker likes to call the crossover a “Sports Activity Coupe,” a description that Global SUV does not contest. And if you’re wondering what makes it a top-rated SUV, here are a few things to note.
Sporty Look, Daring Power
The earlier versions of the X6 complemented the athletic looks with sheer power. But BMW has engineered the base 2024 X6 to deliver even more power and a faster sprint. At the heart of the base trim, the X6 xDrive40i, is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder breathing out 375 hp and 398 lb. ft of torque. The engine gets a boost from the latest 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, which optimizes engine efficiency. For more juice, the next trim, the X6 M60i, is powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8, shooting the numbers up to 523 hp and 553 lb. ft of torque.
While the base trim goes from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds, the next trim does it in just 4.2 sec. But there is a more aggressive guy on the block: the X6 M Competition. Although this trim also has a 4.4-liter V8 engine, it is tuned to deliver 617 hp and 553 lb. ft, enough to accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds. Whatever trim you choose, the engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive motor configuration. The SUV drives impressively, and the handling is nimble. For example, the X6 now comes standard with Integral Active Steering, reducing the turning circle at parking speeds by turning the rear wheels in the same or opposite direction as the front wheels.
Avant-garde Styling, Drop-dead Gorgeous
Coupe used to mean a two-door until BMW lowered the roofline of the X5 and rebranded it as X6 to enter the coupe category. Thanks to that bold move, we now have some sleek SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz Gle-Class coupe and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe in the coupe segment. But BMW is not carried away by the accolades, as the automotive manufacturer keeps giving the X6 a makeover to improve its stunning looks.
Generally, the BMW X6 has a chiseled, athletic look with lots of black surfaces and cute lines. As expected of any BMW, the highlight of the front is the iconic two-piece radiator kidney grille. The all-black grille, revised for the 2024 X6, is flanked by slimmer headlights with arrow-shaped daytime running lights. Below the grille is a huge, octagonal-shaped central lower air intake flanked by wide-open side intakes, with slight changes to the design across the trims. The taillights are also revised, appearing crisper and more attractive.
Undoubtedly, A Luxury SUV
BMW describes the 2024 X6 as a luxury crossover, and it only takes looking at the cabin to agree with such a description. It welcomes the driver and passengers to use the luxurious and super supportive seats built with upscale materials and overlooked by the standard panoramic moonroof. In front of them is the latest BMW Curved Display, a single glass surface combining a 14.9″ infotainment display and a 12.3″ instrument cluster. The instrument panel here is slimmer than we’ve seen in earlier X6s, and so are the air vents, which are now almost entirely concealed.
To improve the luxurious feel, BMW offered more upholstery options. One is the Tacora Red Sensafin which deserves a special mention for how it can almost rebrand the cabin. Complement that with the configurable glows from the ambient light bar, and you have something close to a mobile executive lounge. Especially considering the heated/cool cup holders are stylish and functional, helping you keep your champagne at the desired temperature. What’s more? Buyers can equip the standard heated front seats with massage functions, among other possible upgrades.
Equipped and Fortified
Thanks to the new BMW Curved Display, the X6 offers next-level high-tech features. The display uses the latest iDrive 8 Operating system offering quick response and crisp graphics. You can operate the system via the rotary controller on the center console. Or you could opt for voice commands and hand gestures. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are all standard, and some car functions are accessible on mobile devices via the My BMW App.
The X6 comes with standard safety and driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, etc. There are many other available features, like adaptive cruise control.
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Competes with the Best in Performance and Cost
The big Bimmer competes in the SUV Coupe and luxury SUV segments and conveniently thrives in both categories. For an SUV offering a plethora of enticing standard features, the X6 xDrive40i at $73,900 has a fair starting price. However, it is difficult to comprehend how and why the X6 costs more than the X5 despite the reduced practicality.
The highest trim, X6 M competition, sure to give the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Audi RS Q8 a run for their money, will likely start at around $128,000. That price falls in the same bracket as the Audi RS Q8 (starting at about $127,000) and a lot less than the Porsche Cayenne Coupe (starting at about $140,000). If you prefer a more affordable option, we recommend the middle trim, the X6 M60i, starting at $93,600 and offering almost everything you want from a luxury coupe.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to argue (blindly) that SUVs are a part of nature, but he seems to have a point whenever you walk in the snow, through the bone-dry desert, splendid park-like boulevard, plains, and rocky roads. He has over five years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, with quite a number in the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Both activities take him to the same destination: Utopia. He loves SUVs simply because they are all-inclusive, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
