Highs Shocking power, high-quality interior, bursting with desirable standard equipment.
Lows Rocky ride, limited rear visibility, the X5 M SUV is cheaper and more practical.
Verdict The X6 M turns even the most mundane commute into a high-power drama with V-8 burble, but its low roofline and stiff ride make it challenging to live with.
It's hard to fathom how less practicality can command a higher price. Still, the 2023 X6 M costs more than its squareback counterpart, the X5 M. We prefer the less expensive body style, but the X6 certainly attracts more attention. Regardless, the Competition package is a must-have. Not only does it bring 617 horsepower—17 more than normal—but it has better standard equipment too. This includes a sport-tuned exhaust, an exclusive Track mode, and 22-inch rear wheels (versus 21-inchers). The Competition package also brings fancier leather upholstery and knee padding on the center console to reduce punishment during hard cornering.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Gifted with the same raucous engine that powers the BMW M5 sedan, the X6 M is motivated by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. It makes 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque in its natural state and 617 ponies with the Competition package. The engine hooks up to an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds a dynamic all-wheel-drive system. This drivetrain can be told to distribute power to all four wheels for maximum traction or have most of it sent rearward for sharper handling. In addition to its selectable drive modes, including customizable settings that can be activated via steering-wheel-mounted buttons, the X6 M even features adjustable brake-pedal feedback. The BMW also has standard adaptive dampers and a set of 21-inch wheels, but a pair of 22-inchers can be fitted out back (they're standard on the X6 M Competition). We've driven the X6 M Competition and lauded its lightning-quick acceleration, staggering cornering grip, and strong, fade-free brakes. While it rode smooth and steady on the highway, its large wheels and stiff springs contributed to a rocky ride on uneven roads.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The X6 M is rated at 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. These ratings are identical to the X5 M. Since we haven't been able to test either Bimmer on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can't evaluate their real-world efficiency. For more information about the X6 M's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Sportiness and luxuriousness collide inside the X6 M, which boasts carbon-fiber accents and standard leather upholstery. There's also no shortage of high-tech features thanks to a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster and a large head-up display. Those are accompanied by niceties such as ambient interior lighting, massaging front seats with heated and cooled surfaces, heated rear seats, and more. Interior cubby storage is highlighted
Lows Rocky ride, limited rear visibility, the X5 M SUV is cheaper and more practical.
Verdict The X6 M turns even the most mundane commute into a high-power drama with V-8 burble, but its low roofline and stiff ride make it challenging to live with.
It's hard to fathom how less practicality can command a higher price. Still, the 2023 X6 M costs more than its squareback counterpart, the X5 M. We prefer the less expensive body style, but the X6 certainly attracts more attention. Regardless, the Competition package is a must-have. Not only does it bring 617 horsepower—17 more than normal—but it has better standard equipment too. This includes a sport-tuned exhaust, an exclusive Track mode, and 22-inch rear wheels (versus 21-inchers). The Competition package also brings fancier leather upholstery and knee padding on the center console to reduce punishment during hard cornering.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Gifted with the same raucous engine that powers the BMW M5 sedan, the X6 M is motivated by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. It makes 600 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque in its natural state and 617 ponies with the Competition package. The engine hooks up to an eight-speed automatic transmission that feeds a dynamic all-wheel-drive system. This drivetrain can be told to distribute power to all four wheels for maximum traction or have most of it sent rearward for sharper handling. In addition to its selectable drive modes, including customizable settings that can be activated via steering-wheel-mounted buttons, the X6 M even features adjustable brake-pedal feedback. The BMW also has standard adaptive dampers and a set of 21-inch wheels, but a pair of 22-inchers can be fitted out back (they're standard on the X6 M Competition). We've driven the X6 M Competition and lauded its lightning-quick acceleration, staggering cornering grip, and strong, fade-free brakes. While it rode smooth and steady on the highway, its large wheels and stiff springs contributed to a rocky ride on uneven roads.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The X6 M is rated at 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. These ratings are identical to the X5 M. Since we haven't been able to test either Bimmer on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can't evaluate their real-world efficiency. For more information about the X6 M's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Sportiness and luxuriousness collide inside the X6 M, which boasts carbon-fiber accents and standard leather upholstery. There's also no shortage of high-tech features thanks to a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster and a large head-up display. Those are accompanied by niceties such as ambient interior lighting, massaging front seats with heated and cooled surfaces, heated rear seats, and more. Interior cubby storage is highlighted
Category
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Motor