While automakers are keen on this fashionable cross-breeding, we're not particularly thrilled with the result.
The Basics:
It has been called an oddball, an outcast, a bender of genres. But whatever you call the BMW X6, which has elements of coupe, sedan, SUV, and sports car running through its hoses, you'll find it fits a niche you didn't know was there. As such, it competes with a wide range of vehicles, from the Land Rover Range Rover to the Infiniti FX and the Porsche Cayenne.
The unique styling is a love it or leave it affair for most; there aren't many people that are neutral on the X6's looks. That's a definite positive for those in the "love it" camp--it has the power to turn heads and wag tongues, even after several years on the market.
From the base six-cylinder to the ferocious M model, the X6 has more than a sprinkling of performance in its DNA. It's still a tall, heavy vehicle, however, and ultimately handling and fuel efficiency reflect that.
Inside, the X6 is a nice place--for front passengers. It's not quite as nice for taller rear passengers, though materials and construction are typically solid BMW work.
If there's something that doesn't come standard or can't be added as an option to the BMW X6, it's probably best left out of a vehicle entirely; you will not want for options and configurability. What you may lack, however, is the bankroll to add every cool feature or option available.
On the green side of things, the ActiveHybrid X6 is curiously the least efficient of the non-M offerings on the highway. Perhaps it's not as curious when you consider the hybrid's 480-horsepower output, but that fact alone tells you: the X6 is about performance and style; efficiency is a secondary concern.
Likes:
- Coupe profile-above the waistline
- Very comfortable seating
- Quick-shifting manu-matic gearbox
- Tons of high-tech goodies
Dislikes:
- Bulky, trucklike lower half
- Premium fuel required
- Can get pricey, especially the high-performance versions
