BMW X6 M Competition 2020 Review - International

There are few things quite as edifying as blasting up a deserted mountain pass in a high-performance sports car, V8 engine howling like a wolf on the hunt.

It's the sort of thing that focusses the mind on the present, almost like high-octane meditation.

But what if you only have room for one vehicle in the garage? Or need to ferry four adults between a mountain range on regular basis? Or require a status symbol to park at work that doubles as a family hauler?

Well, the $213,900 BMW X6 M Competition could be just the ticket.

For more detail on what you get for your two hundred large, check out the BMW X6 M price and spec story.

Despite its huge size and weight, its tall body and ungainly looks, the BMW X6 M Competition feels like a sports car on the right road – not unlike its more conservatively styled sibling, the BMW X5 M Competition.

Propelled by a rev-happy 4.4-litre biturbo petrol V8 engine with a 7200rpm redline, it cranks out 460kW at 6000rpm and 750Nm. The latter arrives at 1800rpm and is maintained until 5600rpm, creating the sort of power band AC/DC fans will appreciate.

Full throttle launches are brutal, as the vehicle's intelligent all-wheel drive mitigates wheel spin by shoving almost 100 per cent torque to the rear axle. The pumped-up SUV blasts to 100km/h in just 3.8sec – in Competition trim, which is the only variant coming to Australia.

Historical sales data shows when offered the choice, Aussies simply don't care for the puny 'regular' versions – in this case a lowly 441kW – so only the extra-spicy competition version will be offered here.

It also gets a few more options, like staggered 21/22-inch front/rear wheels, adjustable brake feel and a beefed up exhaust system.

Speaking of which, the sound of the V8 at wide throttle openings is awesome. It'll scare small dogs with its deep, guttural wob-wob-wob, whose controlled aggression communicates a pretty clear message to other road users: Move over.

The coupe-ish Beemer also has a top speed is 290km/h, its broad velocity spectrum making good use of the eight-speed automatic transmission which has three settings – normal, fast and brutal shifts.

But what's most impressive about this machine, and indeed the X5 M Competition, is its drivability. It hooks into corners with the enthusiasm of a caffeine-fuelled intern (before the reality of an office job saps their life force), and generates seriously impressive mid-corner speed.

Granted, it rides on tyres so big they would make monster trucks blush, but these gargantuan rubber hoops would be for naught were it not for the cleverly modulated M xDrive AWD, active M differential and M adaptive suspension systems.

Working in conjunction they keep the BMW X6 M's body flat through corners, eliminating almost all body roll – the enemy of fast, enjoyable and predictable cornering. Even though it’s big and heavy and tall, the Beemer surprisingly satisfying to drive enthusiastically.

Officially speaking there's no drift mode in the overweight V8 bathtub, as Daniel Schmidt, head of product management at BMW M division told me.

But he noted that it was "technically possible".

"We do have 4WD sport mode which is already stressing rear-wheel drive even more, so there is the possibility to drift. So in this respect you can drift with the X6 M if you really wanted and you're good enough! A few of my colleagues here could do it."

Turns out even Joe Bloggs can do it!

On an uphill hairpin nestled within a challenging stretch of snaking mountain roadway about two hours north of Scottsdale in Arizona, near Skull Valley (I kid you not), the X6 proved it's M credentials with flying colours.

Initially the SUV was tracking cleanly, if a little quickly, through the 160-degree hairpin and, in the name of product evaluation, its grip threshold needed to be tested.

Dialling in more throttle gradually, the rear hoops lit up, delivering an exceptionally satisfying and progressive power slide.

Such theatrical maneuvers are so clearly communicated and seamlessly controlled by the big machine's electronic nannies, my usual emotional response (fear) was replaced by untrammeled joy. It felt glorious, I won't lie.

Although many owners will never go troppo in this manner, it takes nothing away from the technical brilliance achieved by BMW with this vehicle. It really does feel like a sports car.

It shouldn't, but it does.

Yet the BMW X6 M Competition is the kind of machine that makes you feel good whatever tempo you drive at, the gorgeous Merino leather sports seats delivering equal parts comfort, support, luxury and visual appeal.

Adjustment levels are off the scale for such an aggressively styled seat, which can help take the ache out of longer journeys by tweaking the position on the go. On the launch one of the drive stints was around four hours and there were no complaints of sore backs.

The upgrade in tech is also pretty special with digital 12.3-inch screens for the instrument panel and the touchscreen infotainment system. Both are very clear with high-def visuals, and you read more about them in the X5 M Competition review. Like its cousin the X6 M Competition offers Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto yet.

BMW Australia says Android smartphone owners will get their pound of flesh mid-year.

The BMW X6 M Competition has the same interior packaging to the X5 M Competition except for its slightly smaller boot – 580 v 650 litres. It's still big enough for loads of gear and luggage though. We had four adults in the X6 with the boot swallowing a LOT of video gear.

There are visual differences between the SUV relatives, the main one being the sloping rear roofline in the X6, which provides a sportier look, says BMW. Personally I'm not a fan and the majority tends to agree, the sales split being 60:40 in the X5 M's favour on a global scale.

Some of the useful everyday features in the X6 M Competition include autonomous driving assistants that are very capable. They take much of the effort out of long highway drives by accelerating, braking, staying within the lane and even changing lanes without the driver's input.

A large head-up display also puts satellite navigation right in your line of sight, projected onto the windscreen, while voice control has improved by leaps and bounds and makes fast work of most requests, from phone calls to navigation.

Adaptive suspension means the X6 M is also a relatively relaxed cruiser when in comfort mode, not a just a hard-edged apex slayer. Even the steering and brakes can be set to chillax mode.

Like all BMW's a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is offered, which is below average in today's age of four, five and even seven year warranties.

Although no capped-price service programs are offered, BMW does offer a service 'package' (BMW Service Inclusive, or BSI). This is priced at $4134 for the basic or $11,188 for the Plus package, which lasts for five-years, 80,000km.

BMW says the customer take-up rate for the BSI is at 89.2 per cent in Australia at the moment.

This $213,900 hunk of mechanical muscle can seat five people, carry all their luggage, work as a daily commuter car, a family hauler or just smoke up the rear wheels with wild abandon when required.

It's breadth of capability and functionality is quite impressive.

The latest hero car from BMW's M division is tremendously capable high-performance SUV that's gratifying yet easy to drive at the limit; and beyond. It may attract scorn for its size, weight and unorthodox visuals, but the old adage of "don't knock it until you try it" rings loud and true here.

How much does the 2020 BMW X6 M Competition cost?
Price: $213,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: May 2020
Engine: 4.4-litre eight-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 460kW/750Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 18.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 286g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2018)

Read about and watch the new 2020 BMW X5 M Competition