Looking for an objective review of the BMW X6 Estate? OSV has got you covered, from engines to lease deals.
Some critics never got what all the fuss was about with the moody-looking BMW X6 Estate. It was a beastly-designed SUV-cum-Coupe that smashed its way into a brand new niche like a tornado that no one saw coming. It was like an over-developed child that its parents couldn’t wait to leave home.
Fast-forward to 2017, and it still looks like an absolute beast, still leaves some critics wondering what the heck it’s doing here, and still steamrolls from 0-62 in just 4.2 seconds.
But despite its somewhat thuggish looks, it’s luxurious inside, fun to drive and fairy practical. And despite the doubters, the hyper-quick man-child that no one supposedly wanted is still selling so well.
Wanna know what all the fuss is about? Join OSV as we take a closer look with our BMW X6 Estate review.
This is a heavy, heavy car that weighs over 2,000kg. But despite its bulk, it’s impressively agile and is good when it comes to on-the-road entertainment.
It hides that weight well, too. Moreover, the advantage of packing such big tyres means there is plenty of grip on offer, while body lean is remarkably well-resisted in bends. The steering does lack feel, though, which will make it hard for you to gauge cornering speeds. However, the X6’s steering is responsive.
There are 4 driving modes for you to flick between so that the car behaves the way you want. And in spite of its menacing looks, it’s a compliant car that does what you want it to. Eco Pro is a useful setting if you want to save fuel, while Comfort ensures a smooth ride. But to get the best out of the car, you’d have to turn up the dial to Sport Plus.
Either that, or shell out the extra cash for one of the M Sport models.
In terms of the engines, the diesel engines are what we are focusing on here. The BMW M50d model can do 0-62mph in a matter of 5.2 seconds, which makes it only marginally slower than the 50i. And thanks to some excellent handiwork by the BMW team, it handles corners better than any other model in the range.
However, OSV expects the 30d diesel to take care of most of the sales. It’s the slowest in the range, and takes 6.7 seconds to do the 0-62 dash, but it makes financial sense. It also feels quick enough.
The X6 M is the King of the X6 Estate range – and costs as much as you’d expect a King’s car to cost. Its engine produces a staggering 567bhp, which is enough to rocket you from rest to 62mph in 4.2 seconds. It’s an engineering masterpiece that manages to make the 2,000kg car feel more like a lithe sports car. It changes gears quickly, and its turbo kicks in instantly.
The X6’s cabin is similar to the one in the X5. This means you get the same raised seating height, which ensures good visibility of the road ahead. However, rear visibility is weaker, and the sheer size of the car means parking won’t exactly be a cinch.
The steering wheel and driver’s seat are adjustable, which makes it easy for you to get as comfortable as possible. Add in the fact that the X6 Estate is well-insulated and it makes for a very pleasant and rewarding driving experience. This despite the fact that 20” alloys are standard on some models.
The driver-focused dashboard is much, much pretty than the cars brash exterior would have suggested, and you get treated to a number of luxurious touches. The cockpit feels very cosy, the brands iDrive infotainment system helps to smarten things up while enhancing your on-the-road experience, and the quality of the trim finishes is faultless.
Previously, the grunting X6 only had room for four people, but it can now accommodate five. It’s not as practical as the X5 (which has the potential to hold seven passengers), but it’s liveable. Moreover, it’s a composed machine that has more grip than its sibling.
So, the pair of individual seats are to and a three-seat rear bench is in. This has ensured it bags more points for practicality this time around, while leg and headroom has also improved. There are numerous handy storage spaces too, including door pockets and cup-holders, while the boot measures 580-litres – 75 more than last time. If you fold down the rear seats, you can extend that to 1,525-litres.
The boot could have been even bigger, were it not for the sloping roofline. However, we expect it to be big enough for most buyers.
Like most BMW’s these days, the X6 is generously equipped. Standard kit includes an 8-speed automatic transmission, cruise control, heated seats, automatic wipers and lights, sat nav, xenon headlights, as well as tyre pressure monitors.
Move up to the high-performance M Sport models and you’ll also get 20” alloys, twin exhaust pipes, adaptive M Sport suspension, and a sportier steering wheel.
Among the options are a useful heads-up display (£995), and a not-so useful Pure Extravagance pack (£3,455), which does exactly what its name suggests.
The X6 hasn’t been Euro NCAP crash-tested yet, and neither has the X5, which means we can’t compare the two. However, we fully expect both to come out smelling of roses. Among the X6 Estates standard safety kit are plenty of airbags, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, and electronic stability control.
Prices for the new car start out from around £56,500 and rise to £93,100. For more information on our leasing deals, check out our leasing page here.
In terms of its running costs, the X6 doesn’t fare too badly at all. The 30d model is the cheapest to run, and can return impressive fuel economy of 47.1mpg while costing £185 a year to tax. Opt for the larger 20” alloys and you’ll do a bit more damage to the environment, but tax is unchanged.
The M50d is more powerful, but fuel economy drops to 42.8mpg, while road tax rises to £210 a year. It’s a solid performer that can almost go as fast as the xDrive50i petrol.
No X6 is cheap to insure, with the entry level model sitting in group 45 out of 50.
Has Broader Appeal This Time Around
When this car was first launched, it was very niche. It still is, but improvements have broadened its appeal.
Good Body Control
It looks a bit like a raging bull, but has surprisingly good composure and control.
It’s Fast
It’s a car that doesn’t hang around, and can do 0-62 in almost 4.0 seconds if you want it to.
Not Cheap
With prices starting out on the wrong side of fifty-grand, some of you might decide the fact that it’s so niche represents just too expensive of a gamble.
Not As Spacious As The X5
If interior space is a priority of yours, it might be worth looking at the X5 instead.
Let’s see how the car measures up against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2017 BMW X6 Estate review.
If you want a sporty, premium SUV, the new Mercedes GLE Diesel Coupe is the one to look at. It’s got power and pace – but it’s also got a high asking price.
The problem Mercedes had when developing this car wasn’t with how it looked. Sculpting a sportier-looking SUV proved to be relatively easy, and the GLE certainly has the coupe-look nailed. The problem instead centred around the cars bulk.
Unless Mercedes were able to defy physics and create a few new laws, the Mercedes GLE Diesel Coupe was always going to be a big, bulky, heavy machine. It’s not exactly responsive or agile, but it is at least super fast in a straight line.
In terms of the engines, we like the 3.0-litre diesel that powers the 350d. It delivers up to 254bhp, and draws a massive amount of its power from lower revs. It doesn’t feel strained at all, but at times even feels relaxing. It’s eager too, and can get you from a rest to 62mph in 7.0 seconds.
The BMW X6 is more efficient than the 350d, though, which is stuck averaging fuel economy returns of around 39.2mpg. Road tax, meanwhile, will cost you £270 a year. As a package, that isn’t too bad for a car of this size, but the X6 can return 45mpg on a good day.
The GLE’s interior is largely taken from the regular GLE, and will even look familiar to anyone who has stepped inside the old ML. The standards are high as ever, with the car benefiting from a few revisions.
The dash is clear and neatly designed, although it’s not as slick as other Mercedes models. While we can’t complain about the quality of the materials used, the design is a tad conservative and even old-fashioned in comparison to other models.
Its practicality levels are up and down. The Coupe roofline slopes and cuts into rear headroom, while the big wheel aches are flawed. And despite Mercedes adding the side running boards, they really haven’t made accessing the car any easier. If anything, they’re another obstacle for you to overcome.
On the plus side, the boot measures 650-litres, which makes it substantially bigger than the one in the X6. The folding rear seats lie almost totally flat, and the boot is a usable, square shape.
BMW – £56,300 – £93,100
Mercedes – £42,000 – £100,500
The new Porsche Macan Estate is one of the most engaging cars to drive in this sector. The best thing? It’s just at home off-road as it is on it.
It’s not always easy for an SUV to hold the road with aplomb, but the Macan makes it look a doddle. Its four-wheel-drive system comes in handy to this effect, and ensures the car doesn’t lose composure even in slippery conditions.
The steering is well-weighted, there is minimal body lean, and all models are easy to drive. Even better, the ride quality is the best in this sector. To really enhance it, you can add air suspension – although this doesn’t come cheap.
There is only one diesel engine to choose from. It develops up to 258bhp, powers the Macan S diesel model, and can do 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds. That’s impressive for not just a car of this size, but also for a model that’s capable of returning fuel economy of 45mpg. The Macan S diesel can keep going until 143mph, too, and is quicker than the hot hatch Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Performance is impressive, running costs are impressive, and so is the interior. The cabin is quiet, spacious, and comfortable – all top qualities for a diesel model that you’d expect to be noisier.
And despite the interior looking sporty, we’ll toss the old cliche in here about never judging a book by its cover, as this is a cabin that will stand up to the demands of family life and life on the road in general.
The car is practical, too. There is room for five adults, the boot measures 500-litres, and can b extended to 1,500 by folding the rear seats flat. Headroom is a weakness, and it’s made worse if you add the panoramic roof. The car doesn’t offer the option of seven seats either, but storage spaces are literally everywhere, and rear knee room is a huge plus for your passengers.
Porche – £44,000 – £63,000
Whether you go for this or the X5 will depend on your priorities. The X5 is certainly more practical, but the X6 stands out from the crowd. It’s just so different – and that can be hugely attractive to some buyers.
Built like a bull, but as charming as a gentleman, the rugged, brawny, hyper-quick BMW X6 Estate is a model of composure on the road, luxurious inside, and can go faster than more athletic sports cars. It’s a dazzling, daring choice.
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18th January 2017
The surly new BMW X6 SUV is as gigantic, bold and brash as ever. The styling might be questionable, but there’s no doubt about the scintillating performance and driving experience. The X6 has had its fair share of critics in the past. Some (many) have questioned the point of a coupe-like SUV that’s more expensive…
Presented by Will Titterington
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