The 2010 BMW X6 ranks 17 out of 17 Luxury Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 31 published reviews and test drives of the BMW X6, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 BMW X6 combines sleek coupe looks and sporty BMW performance with SUV utility. However, it's quite expensive for its class and isn't a practical hauler for people or cargo.
The X6 is a fun-driving, refined SUV that lives up to its BMW roots both inside and out. Still, it isn't really a practical choice and functions best as a sporty diversion. Moreover, at $56,000, the X6 has one of the most expensive base prices in its class -- and that's a lot to spend on a vehicle that can’t even cart around a family of five (the X6 seats only four).
If you go for the all-new X6 ActiveHybrid, which is one of the most sporty and powerful hybrids on the market, you’ll be spending even more -- a whopping $88,900, to be exact. For that huge price premium, you’ll only get a small bump in fuel economy. If you're able to spend this much money on an impractical car, there are plenty of other options out there -- the Porsche Cayenne comes to mind -- so why go for an SUV like this? Many reviewers are asking the same question.
"The X6 can't go off-road and its lack of back-seat headroom makes it a lousy vehicle for hauling four adults," says About.com. "It's incredibly expensive and sucks down fuel at an alarming rate. And yet I still love it. I don't just mean 'like it a lot'; I really do love the X6."
So what is it that makes the X6 so lovable? For singles or couples with money to burn, it's hard to beat the BMW's amazing handling and awesome high-tech gadgetry. For everyone else though, it's less than ideal.
Other Luxury SUVs to Consider
For people with families or cargo needs, less expensive and more practical choices abound. The Acura MDX provides BMW-like luxury and a fun (though less stimulating) driving experience at a price that's about $14,000 less than the X6's.
Or, if you can't live without the BMW name, consider the German automaker's own X5. It costs about $10,000 less than the X6 and delivers more -- you'll get the same tight handling with a more spacious second row, more headroom and even an available third-row seat. Finally, if you want another gadget-friendly vehicle, look at the Infiniti FX. It costs several thousand less than the X6, achieves excellent fuel economy, and offers a unique arsenal of high-tech equipment.
Details: BMW X6
The 2010 X6 is available in several trims -- the six-cylinder xDrive35i, eight-cylinder xDrive50i, and new-for-2010 V8-powered ActiveHybrid. A high-performance X6 M model, also new for 2010, is reviewed separately.
- "Although we were blown away by the X6's on-road capabilities, we can't help wondering if luxury SUV buyers are looking for -- or will even push the vehicle enough to notice -- this level of performance. After all, the heavier, slower, and half-as-capable Range Rover is an aspirational luxury SUV for many." -- Car and Driver
- "The ActiveHybrid will be the vehicle of choice for people who want to play with new technology and who don't mind paying for it. BMW's version of the jointly developed two-mode hybrid system is impressive, both on paper and in the metal." -- Popular Mechanics
- "We need more time with this big hybrid crossover to be sure, but based on our short drive, the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid will probably not find itself on our shopping list. All that extra hardware (and weight) and what we expect will be the highest price of any X6 model is balanced only by a marginal gain in MPGs.” -- Autoblog
- "X6 is a study in compromises. It accelerates and handles like a sporty coupe, but it will never be as agile due to its sheer size and heft. Its hatchback design makes it slightly more versatile than a sedan, but X6 is neither as roomy nor as comfortable as a sedan or SUV." -- Consumer Guide
X6 Performance - 8.6 (Very Good)
More than anything else, the 2010 BMW X6 stands out for the way it drives. The X6 is available with six-cylinder and V8 engines, as well as a new-for-2010 hybrid powertrain that costs nearly twice as much as a base X6. Read More
X6 Exterior - 7.4 (Good)
With its sloping roof, the X6 looks especially sporty for an SUV. Still, while there's no question that the X6's exterior makes a statement, its radical styling divides reviewers. "The BMW X6 looks like a military weapon, with a front end that appears ready to take a chomp out of anything that gets in its way," says the Chicago Tribune. Read More
X6 Interior - 7.6 (Good)
The all-new X6's interior is upscale and chock full of high-tech features. "Cabin decor is both upscale and sporty, with ample use of soft-touch surfaces and materials with visible, high-grade stitching," writes Consumer Guide. However, as with other BMWs that feature the iDrive system, reviewers are disappointed in the X6's complicated cabin controls. Some reviewers also have complaints about its cramped rear seats. Read More
X6 Safety - NA
The 2010 BMW X6 has not yet undergone crash tests. However, buyers can rest assured that it comes with plenty of high-end safety features. "The X6 comes with all the safety features you'd expect at this price: antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and curtain and front-seat side air bags," says the Detroit Free Press. Read More
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