BMW X6

Styling/Image
There’s no denying the X6 has huge visual impact.

Look below the waistline, and it’s a chunky X5 SUV, while the shallow glass area and rakish roofline take their cues from low-slung coupes. No wonder BMW calls its latest model a Sports Activity Coupe. The result is bold and unconventional, but it won’t be to all tastes. All versions get 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. However, 20-inch items- wider at the back than the front – are available with the optional Dynamic Package.

Interior/Practicality
Owners of the X5 will feel at home in the beautifully built cabin. The dashboard, dials and centre console have all been lifted straight out of the firm’s largest SUV. Despite its huge exterior dimensions, the X6 is a strict four-seater. There’s decent luggage capacity though, with 570-litres of space underneath the hatchback tailgate. There’s no shortage of standard kit, with xenon headlamps, climate control and a parking sensors all featuring – the latter are essential given the BMW’s poor rear visibility.

Engines/Performance
Pick any BMW and it’ll have an excellent engine under its bonnet – and the X6 is no exception. Entry-level cars get the brand’s smooth and punchy 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel, while petrol fans can choose between a 302bhp 3.0-litre and mighty 402bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. But our choice is the 282bhp oil-burner. Like the petrol powerplants it benefits from two turbochargers, meaning the sprint from zero to 62mph takes just 6.9 seconds. All the units are mated to the firm’s xDrive four-wheel drive transmission and a slick-shifting six-speed gearbox that can be operated via steering wheel mounted paddles.

Driving experience
Given its size, weight and raised ride height, the X6 is incredibly agile. Turn into a corner and you’ll discover sharp steering, strong grip and excellent body control. This is the first model in the firm’s line-up that benefits from Dynamic Performance control technology, which constantly adjusts the torque across each axle in an effort to maximise grip. However, to get the best out of the BMW you need to specify the Dynamic Package, which comes with stiffened and lowered sports suspension.

Costs
Like a true coupe, the X6 will cost you more to buy than more practical models. On average, it’s around £2,000 more than an identically engined X5. Thanks to the firm’s Efficient Dynamics technology, the oil-burners will return around 34mpg at the pumps and push out a maximum of 220g/km of CO2. A diesel engine is also your best bet come trade-in time, as you can expect residual values of around 50 percent.

Safety/Environment
It’s not been put through EuroNCAP testing yet, but the X6 should be a strong five-star car. The list of standard safety kit is comprehensive, with buyers being treated to 10 airbags, ESP and ISOFIX seating. Tyre-pressure monitoring is also included, as are xenon headlamps. Buyers wanting to give a passing nod to the environment should stick with the diesels. Go for the 4.4-litre petrol and you’ll struggle to achieve fuel returns of 20mpg, while CO2 emissions are a staggering 299g/km.

Our Choice: X6 xDrive35d