About a decade ago, the BMW X6 looked ready to spark a new segment of utility vehicles. Not long after this rakish X5-based vehicle launched, Acura followed with something called the ZDX. But it lasted just four years before Acura decided to cut its losses.
We thought that might signal the end of BMW's experiment. But then came two sport utility "coupe" from Mercedes-Benz based on its GLE-Class and GLC-class models. And this year, Audi rolled out a vehicle called the Q8, a posher-but-smaller utility based on the Q7, and Porsche is readying a "coupe" version of the Cayenne.
What is it about German automakers and these flashier, less-practical versions of SUVs? We don't know, but there's apparently a market for them.
For 2019, the second-generation X6 carries over with a few changes to its list of standard and optional features. Apple CarPlay is standard, along with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and speed limit information.
As before, the X6 comes in two flavours, each based around distinct powertrains. The xDrive35i uses a 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder engine making 302 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, and the xDrive50i trades that for a turbo 4.4L V8 with 445 hp and 479 lb-ft. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system.
BMW has yet to transition the X6 to its latest naming scheme, in which the base model would be xDrive40i. We suspect that change will come, along with a mid-cycle update, in the next year or two.
BMW also makes the X6M, a 560-hp beast covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.
Standard features include 20-inch wheels, HID headlights, leather seating, heated and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, heated steering wheel, hands-free tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming side mirrors and sport seats with a manual thigh extension.
Upscale extras are the name of the game at BMW. Some of the X6's options include ventilated front seats, Merino leather door and dash trim, heated rear seats, headlight washers, 360-degree exterior camera system, steerable LED headlights, wireless smartphone charging, soft-close doors, rear-seat entertainment system and Nappa leather seating. There's also an entire range of M Performance packages, some of which actually promise to boost the X6's performance.
BMW's fuel consumption estimates for the X6 are 13.0/9.9 for the xDrive35i, and 14.3/10.6 in the xDrive50i.
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