2021 BMW X6 M Review

　　

2021 BMW X6 M Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Few vehicles are more niche-oriented than coupe-style ultra-high-performance SUVs. Starting with a midsize luxury SUV, manufacturers add tremendous performance and redesign the roofline for a sportier appearance. A prime example is the 2021 BMW X6 M. It's based on the X6, which is the coupe-style derivative of the X5 SUV. From there, the X6 M gains BMW's full M division performance makeover, including a 600-horsepower V8, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, grippier tires and M-specific styling enhancements.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$310/mo  for X6 M Base

　　X6 M Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $108,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　BMW fully redesigned the X6 M in 2020, so the 2021 model carries over pretty much unchanged other than newly standard Android Auto wireless smartphone integration. It faces off against a trio of similarly conceived vehicles: the Audi RS Q8, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. Which one should you get? Or would it be better to get the more practical BMW X5 M? Read our Expert Rating below for our take on the X6 M's performance, utility and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the X6 M drive? We tested the X6 M in its Competition guise. At the zzdcar test track, it ripped from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, which places it among the quickest midsize luxury SUVs we've ever tested. The turbo V8 engine also makes gobs of easily accessible torque down low, so driving around town is smooth and effortless. The brakes are up to the task of hauling up this big SUV (stopping from 60 mph took just 107 feet in our test) and are also smooth and consistent.

　　The X6 M Competition can take a corner pretty well. But this is a heavy SUV and its suspension is quite stiff. As such, the X6 M gets unsettled on less than perfect roads. Steering is accurate and direct and provides some road feedback to the driver, but its heavy weighting can also make trolling for a parking lot space more of a chore. BMW also loves giving you lots of drive mode options. There are six settings for the transmission alone. We can see the appeal of the customization possibility, but having this much choice can get overwhelming.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the X6 M? The front sport seats offer plenty of adjustment and support along with available heat, massage and cooling. Both the heat and cooling functions could be more powerful, but otherwise it doesn't get much better. The rear seats are a little too upright and flat for adults to really get comfortable. The X6 M Competition's ride quality isn't harsh and actually handles big impacts well. But even in the softest comfort setting, it's never really settled.

　　Just like the related X5 M, the X6 M generates a lot of road noise when driving over broken pavement. Otherwise the rest of the cabin is pretty well insulated against ambient and wind noise.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Most controls are within easy reach of the driver. The vast array of buttons and knobs can look overwhelming, but most everything is straightforward, though things such as the trip odometer seem needlessly hidden. BMW's iDrive infotainment system does allow for some customization of the controls to suit your taste.

　　It's trickier getting in and out of the X6 than the X5 because the sloping roof cuts into the open door space. The seats are also set somewhat inward and make the step inside larger than you expect. The excellent driving position is upright and comfortable, though the large roof pillars and small rear window create blind spots. Luckily the X6 M's surround-view camera eliminates a lot of guesswork while you're parking.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? There's a learning curve to BMW's iDrive infotainment system, but you should be comfortable with operating it after some use. You can also use BMW's voice controls to do things such as input navigation or make a call. Syncing a smartphone is easy, and Bluetooth reconnects quickly. The X6 M has wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can sync up your phone's apps to the infotainment system without having to use a cord.

　　The X6 M does come with an extensive number of driver safety features, from surround-view cameras to adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. For the most part, these systems work well and even offer some limited hands-off driver assistance, but the lane-centering system could use some refinement.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The X6 M's cargo area is smaller than its X5 M counterpart's. It's still a decent size, offering 27.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The load floor is low and wide, and the 40/20/40-split rear seats fold down when you need to load longer items. Interior storage is pretty standard for the class. The deep door pockets can hold large water bottles, but center console storage space is lacking.

　　Got small children to haul around? There are easy-access Isofix anchors for each rear outboard seat. The doors open wide enough to make installing a seat relatively easy, but there's less room to fit a bulky rear-facing car seat than in the related X5.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the X6 M gets 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway). That's at the bottom of the class and behind many direct competitors such as the Maserati Levante Trofeo and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. We got 17.5 mpg on our highway-biased 115-mile test route, which indicates that the EPA estimates should be accurate (as long as you exercise a bit of right-foot restraint). Brace yourself for frequent fill-ups regardless.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the X6 M a good value? The interior is appointed with high-quality materials, including leather covering the seats, armrest and dashboard. Even the plastics look better than what you'll find on more mainstream vehicles. The fit and finish is equally impressive, with tight panel gaps and no shakes or rattles to speak of. Pricing is similar to Mercedes' AMG GLE 63 Coupe, but we'd be tempted to pay less and get BMW's more practical X5 M.

　　BMW offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranties, which are average for the class. You also get three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　This is close to as capable and fun as big, heavy midsize SUVs get. There is much joy to be had when tapping into all 617 horsepower. But we're not fully convinced that the X6 M's dubious gains in style justify the loss in utility.

　　

Which X6 M does zzdcar recommend?

Because we think 600 horsepower is more than enough, we'd suggest sticking with the basic X6 M and forgoing the Competition model. The money you save could be spent on the Executive package for its ventilated and massaging front seats, adaptive headlights and soft-close doors.

　　

2021 BMW X6 M models

The 2021 BMW X6 M is a five-passenger SUV that's available in two trims: the X6 M and the X6 M Competition.

　　X6 M

　　The base X6 M comes well appointed with standard feature highlights that include:

　　600-hp 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine Eight-speed automatic transmission Sport-tuned all-wheel drive 21-inch wheels LED exterior lighting Adaptive sport suspension Power tailgate Panoramic sunroof Four-zone climate control Leather upholsteryTechnology features include:

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless smartphone integration Wireless charging pad Navigation Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle control/monitoring 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the X6 M and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Advanced safety features that include: Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending front collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) X6 M Competition

　　The X6 M Competition includes all of the above, plus:

　　Increased power output to 617 hp Sport exhaust system Staggered 21-inch front/22-inch rear wheel setup Unique exterior design elementsNotable bundled option packages include:

　　Driving Assistance Professional package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X6 M and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Side collision avoidance (steers the X6 M away from an impending side impact) Automatic lane-change feature (uses various sensors to safely change lanes when the turn signal is applied) Executive package Remote ignition Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Rear-passenger window shades Heated and cooled cupholders Ventilated front seats with massage functions Heated rear seats Upgraded headlights Key stand-alone options include:

　　Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system Rear-seat entertainment system Aluminum interior trim

　　

2021 X6 M Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$108,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$310/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles