BMW X6 2020 Review – International

Neck-stretching performance is usually the demesne of spritely two-door coupes, supercharged roadsters and barnstorming European sedans. But increasingly, large, powerful and luxurious SUVs are staking their own claim on this once-exclusive territory, pushing acceleration numbers that boggle the mind – and nearly defy physics.

Take the new BMW X6 M50i, it’s one of four new third-generation X6 variants to be launched by BMW globally this month and due on sale in Australia this year, and one of three capable of accelerating from standstill to 100km/h in under six seconds.

And that’s not counting the new 460kW BMW X6 M Competition, which is due to arrive Down Under next year and claimed to hit 100km/h in just 3.8sec.

Heck, even the cheapest new diesel-powered BMW X6 manages the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5sec. Compared to the 4.3sec time of the range-topping X6 M50i that’s positively glacial, but is still plenty quick enough for a big luxury SUV that tips the scale at 2185kg.

Turbocharged six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are at the heart of the matter with capacities ranging from 3.0 to 4.4 litres. All are paired to an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission with drive to all four wheels via BMW’s proprietary xDrive AWD system.

But beyond the show-stealing acceleration figures it’s the US-built X6’s technology, luxury and head-turning looks that play an equally bombastic second billing.

This is a decadent, lavishly finished SUV range that raises the stakes for its segment rivals, even if it means coughing up a minimum of $121,900 plus on-road costs (for the entry-level X6 xDrive30d) to join the club.

Sticking to the specification sheet for a moment, it’s important that we address the differences between the BMW X6 engines, which in most cases contradict the nomenclature stamped on the driver’s door.

For the base BMW X6 xDrive30d it’s a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel making 195kW/620Nm. The unit is said to consume 6.6L/100km on the NEDC combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 172g/km and a 0-100km/h time of 6.5sec.

The higher-powered X6 M50d uses the same 3.0-litre mill but adds four (!) turbochargers to develop 294kW/760Nm. Fuel economy is claimed at 7.2L/100km and CO2 emissions 190g/km. The 0-100km/h dash is said to take as little as 5.2sec.

Sadly, BMW Australia says lack of demand means the X6 M50d won’t be sold Down Under, where the same quad-turbo diesel engine was recently discontinued from the X5 and X7 line-up, apparently due to a parts supply shortage. The M50d variant comprised 16 per cent of local X5 sales and all three M50d models (X6, X5 and X7) remain available in other markets. Go figure.

Moving to petrol power and it’s the equally-confusingly-named BMW X6 xDrive40i that introduces the first and only 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine to the range.

The turbocharged ‘40i’ makes 250kW/450Nm and sips 8.6L/100km on the NEDC combined cycle. CO2 emissions are listed at 197g/km while the 0-100km/h sprint happens in 5.5sec.

Finally, it’s the range-topping M50i that’s the darling of the mainstream BMW X6 range. Until the M and Competition variants arrive it’s the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8-powered M50i that tops the line-up with 390kW/750Nm and an aforementioned 0-100km/h time of 4.3sec. Fuel and CO2 numbers are 10.7L/100km and 243g/km respectively.

All models excluding the X6 xDrive30d have a top speed electronically capped to 250km/h. The 30d is capped at 230km/h. A braked towing of up to 3500kg is available, which matches that of the new BMW X5.

Apart from the muscular hearts of the new BMW X6 it’s the sheer volume of technology on offer inside – and underneath – that impresses most.

The 2020 BMW X6 rides on the Bavarian marque’s latest CLAR platform that also underpins the 3, 5 and 7 Series, as well as every ‘X’ variant besides the X1 and X2. Its lighter, more rigid construction allows improved dynamic abilities for the rakish five-door ‘coupe’, a model that’s now bigger in all key dimensions but height.

Longer (+26mm to 4935mm), wider (+15mm to 2004mm) and with a longer wheelbase (+42mm to 2975mm), the latest BMW X6 offers an additional 30 litres cargo space (now 580 litres) in spite of its 6mm lower roofline line (height now 1696mm). All variants offer 1530 litres of cargo space with the 40:20:40-split rear bench flipped flat, via a powered tailgate.

Standard technology and equipment highlights include gorgeous Vernasca leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels under Adaptive M suspension, aluminium-style interior trim garnishes, LED ambient lighting package, a panoramic glass sunroof, BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional package and Travel & Comfort system, Parking Assistant Plus with 360-degree camera and reversing assistance, head-up display, live cockpit digital instrumentation, keyless access and start, LED headlights and 2.5-zone climate control.

The infotainment array bustles with a Hi-Fi stereo system, BMW teleservices system, intelligent emergency call function, Connected Package Professional (for access to emails, calendar entries and more), Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging and DAB digital radio reception.

Stepping up to the BMW X6 M50i and the kit list grows to include 22-inch M Performance alloy wheels with a Professional take on BMW’s adaptive M suspension, integral active steering, BMW LaserLight headlights, a leather-bound instrument panel, soft-close doors, heated cup-holder, lumbar support, four-zone climate control, a Harmon/Kardon surround sound system and included metallic paint.

Safety technology includes everything in BMW’s arsenal, including adaptive cruise control with lane assist you have to sample to believe. The X6’s ability to know where it is in its lane and maintain position and pace with traffic is as good as I’ve sampled anywhere. Let’s hope it works as well with Australian lane markings.

The debate around open speed limits on sections of Germany’s famed autobahn road network might be alive and well, but for now the call of near-perfect blacktop reaching for the horizon is hard to ignore.

Aiming the BMW X6 M50i (the only variant available to sample at launch) at that horizon, its V8 sings with brisk linearity all the way to 200km/h. At this point physics play their hand and the M50i pulls with less enthusiasm to its 250km/h top speed. Somehow, I doubt this will be an issue for those of us back home.

Aussie buyers will, however, love the soundtrack from the 4.4-litre V8. It sounds (dare I say) quite old-school American when under load, revving freely with a deep, resonant bellow as the eight-speed auto clips cleanly from one ratio to the next.

The BMW M50i is impeccably stable at high speeds and on Munich’s well-paved roads it’s impressively quiet.

The driveline complies obediently with instructions issued from the right foot, the only qualm in our test drive coming from those mighty disc brakes that are hard to modulate softly in stop-start traffic.

For a big M-flavoured beast the BMW X6 M50i rides remarkably well. There’s a sense of its mass in hard cornering, but for the most part the ride/handling combination is close to perfect.

Yes, this will change on unkempt, coarse-chip roads back home. But when sampled on its home turf the rakish new BMW SUV is one impressively swift and sorted open-road tourer.

The BMW X6 range might polarise buyers but its maker says that’s exactly what it’s designed to do.

With a more swept roofline and windscreen and slightly different interior styling, the BMW X6 finally has more of its own persona than it has in the past. It’s less ‘X5’ in temperament, with a sportier attitude to match its sleeker looks.

The BMW X6 has more competition than ever – including from the new Audi Q8, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe – but the third generation of the original crossover-coupe brings the right formula at the right time.

If you like the styling, you’re going to love the drive.

How much does the 2020 BMW X6 xDrive30d cost?
Price: $121,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: December
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 195kW/620Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.6L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 172g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2020 BMW X6 M50d cost?
Price: NA
Available: Not in Australia
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder quad-turbo-diesel
Output: 294kW/760Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 190g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2020 BMW X6 xDrive40i cost?
Price: $124,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: December
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo-petrol
Output: 250kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.6L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 197g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC

How much does the 2020 BMW X6 M50i cost?
Price: $155,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: December
Engine: 4.4-litre eight-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 390kW/750Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.7L/100km (NEDC Combined)
CO2: 243g/km (NEDC Combined)
Safety rating: TBC