2018 BMW X6

This beast is a combination of high ground clearance, all-wheel-drive system and all-weather ability with a stance of coupe meaning the sloping design of a 2-door coupe. It pretty much looks like a sports car in an SUV clothing.

The 2018 BMW X6 has 3 trim configurations, sDrive35i, xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The base trim is a rear wheel drive with a price tag of $62,700, xDrive35i trim gets the BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive at $65,250. The top-level trim is the xDrive50i which has both the power and agility of a sports car.

BMW X6 comes with 2 engine specifications, a churning out an impressive 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and a massive with astounding 445 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The transmission that propels this mean-machine is an 8-speed sport automatic.

Trim	sDrive 35i	xDrive 35i	xDrive 50i
MSRP	$62,950	$65,250	$77,700
Key Features	3.0-Liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-Cylinder	3.0-Liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 6-Cylinder	4.4-Liter BMW TwinPower Turbo V-8
	Xenon headlights	Features Of sDrive 28i plus:	Features Of sDrive 28i plus:
	Rear-wheel drive system	All Wheel Drive System	All Wheel Drive System
	Dual-zone automatic climate control		Four-zone automatic climate control
	Premium Bang & Olufsen sound system		16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system Surround-view camera system Lane departure warning
	Power-adjustable and heated front seats Driver-seat memory settings and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.		Blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with low-speed automatic braking.
	Power liftgate		Adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams
	Front and rear parking sensors		Apple CarPlay integration
	BMW ConnectedDrive services (including BMW Assist emergency communications) and integrated smartphone apps, and a nine-speaker sound system.		Rear-seat entertainment system and a night-vision system are just some of the stand-alone options available.

Also, there are packages that you can buy to make your X6 suit your persona. Premium Tier adds convenient features inside and out to make your drive much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Executive tier gives you the ultimate expression by including Adaptive LED lights with auto high beams not to mention the soft close automatic doors that add extra class to the vehicle.

Luxury seating package gives you front ventilated seats that keep the driver and passenger comfy in any weather and are super comfortable due to multi-contour design.

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The base sDrive 35i is the best option out of all these trims. Offroad capabilities are similarly restricted for all these cars and on-road performance of the 2-wheel drive is fine for urban utility.

The X6 isn’t just an amalgamation in the way it looks. The same is true of the experience behind the wheel. Counterintuitive as it may seem, the BMW X6 is one dynamic performer. First, it’s fast. The 6-cylinder models can do 0-60 mph in a commendable six seconds flat. Step up to the V8-powered xDrive50i, and you can hit that number in 4.6 seconds -- right up there with high-powered sports cars. - KelleyBlueBook

Engine and Transmission

Powered by 2 outstanding motors that BMW offer,2018 X6 is really a beast. A 3.0 Liter TwinPower Turbo delivering 300 horses and 300 lb-ft of torque and 4.4 Liter V8 that unleashes 445 horsepower with 480 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed sports automatic transmission is one of the best in the industry and helps this monster run smoothly in any gear and at any speed.

Models	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
MSRP	$62,950	$65,700	$70,500	$66,750
Engine	3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder	3.0L Turbocharged V6	AMG enhanced 3.0L V6 Bi-turbo	3.0L V6 Supercharged
Transmission	8-Speed Sports Automatic	8-Speed Tiptronic S	9G-Tronic	8-Speed Automatic
Power	300 hp	340 hp	385 hp	340 hp
Torque	295 lb-ft	331 lb-ft	384 lb-ft	332 lb-ft

Comparing this SAC to the other SUV’s available, AMG powered Mercedes GLE is the most powerful among all the contenders with 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque but also the most expensive at $70,500. Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport are equal in every aspect. Be it comes to power, torque and price figures. Rangie has a 7-seat configuration, that is neither available with Porsche, BMW or Mercedes. BMW, on the other hand, is the cheapest of the lot with a price of $62,950 and also with weakest power and torque.

Acceleration

BMW is known for its engine and transmission all over the world and it shows its presence in the acceleration timings. The 3.0-Liter engine rushes towards the 60MPH mark in 6.0 seconds. Standing quarter mile takes 14.4 sec. Aerodynamic body design and Sports transmission are responsible for propelling the X6 that fast.

Models	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
0-60 MPH	6.0 sec	5.9 sec	5.6 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter mile	14.4 sec	14.4 sec	14.1 sec	15.5 sec
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	N/A	9.3	9.2

In comparison, the GLE AMG is the fastest to 60MPH with only 5.6 seconds on the clock. The Cayenne clocks in at 5.9 seconds making it 0.3 seconds slower than Mercedes but just above the 2018 BMW X6.

Ride and Handling

The  X6 has great driving dynamics. It goes through the corners at sane speeds but when the bumps come, be ready to get bounced around. Being an SAV, the suspension is stiffened to make the ride and handling sportier rather than being biased towards comfort. So, the best option is to get the optional dynamic damper control which comes with 4 different modes; Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. These 4 modes have individual settings to suit your style of driving.

Braking

To stop big SUV’s, you need big brakes. BMW X6 has a 13.7-inch disc in the front and 12.6-inch discs in the back. BMW X6 takes 122 ft to come to a complete stop. Weighing in close to 4600 pounds, it’s commendable to look at that kind of braking effort. The brake pedal is quite soft and responds well at high speeds. The pedal requires a minimum push to engage the disc brakes in stopping the car.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Brake Front(in)	13.7	13.7	14.8	14.3
Brake Rear(in)	12.6	12.9	13.6	13.8
Curb weight(lbs)	4585	4377	4960	4839
60-0 MPH (ft.)	122	N/A	130	124

Comparing it to the rest of the competition, the AMG has some serious braking system. It does take the last position in brake test from 60MPH to 0MPH taking 130 ft but also being the heaviest that an awesome effort. BMW is a clear winner in brake test.

Big engine means big bills and BMW X6 is no different. But when you have the money to buy such a car, you wouldn’t think much about frequent trips to gas stations. BMW has a mileage of 18MPG in the city, 25MPG on the highway and combined city and highway driving cycle yields 21 MPG.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
MPG (city)	18	N/A	17	17
MPG (highway)	25	N/A	23	23
MPG (combined)	21	N/A	19	19

It’s actually no surprise to see Mercedes AMG on the lowest end of this spectrum. They do make it performance friendly but not fuel efficient. Same is the case with Range Rover Sport. But in this segment, most people do not look at fuel economy while purchasing such mean machines.

The X6’s interior boasts high-quality craftsmanship and materials. Leather upholstery and poplar wood trim is standard, and first-class upgrades such as Nappa leather, aluminum trimmings, rear window sunshades, and soft-close doors are available. - Cars.USnews

Seating and comfort

The coupe-like profile does rob some space in the cabin. Front seats are comfortable and are adjusted to provide maximum comfort to the driver and passenger. Headroom is on the low side at the back, but legroom is pretty good. The ride at the back may get bouncy on uneven surfaces due to the stiff suspension setup.

For better air quality inside the cabin, BMW has put active charcoal micro filter ventilation. But X6’s sloppy design is a bit disadvantage as getting in and out of the car is difficult because of the low roof.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.3/60.5/40.3	39.6/58.9/40.2	40.4/58.5/40.3	39.5/60.7/42.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.2/57.9/35.6	37.3/56.2/35.7	38.5/58.4/38.4	39.1/59.5/37.0

When comparing BMW X6 to its rivals, shoulder room is the best by 2 inches from Mercedes AMG GLE but latter is best when it comes to Headroom with 40.4 inches. Range Rover has the best legroom with 42.2 inches in the front. It’s a different story at the back. Range Rover has the best headroom of 39.1 inches and shoulder room of 59.5 inches owing to its excellent height. Mercedes AMG GLE an impressive rear legroom with 38.4 inches which is the best among the competition.

Infotainment

BMW X6 infotainment is the easiest to use. All models are standard with a 10.2-inch widescreen display, satellite navigation and an easy to use rotary dial down in the center console.

• Real-Time Traffic
• Real-Time Weather
• Navigation
• Voice command
• Bluetooth
• USB Port
• Remote Control Smartphone App

As for the MMI, the menus are logically laid out and there’s a set of physical shortcut buttons down by the scroll wheel that helps make it easy to switch between key features as you drive along.

Cargo Space

BMW X6 has 26.6 cu-ft of cargo space which is good but not as good as the X5. Coupe style robs of some space in the back but it still is massive. Split-folding 40/20/40 gives ample space and also the practicality to carry luggage. After fully flat rear seat you get 59.7 cu-ft of space.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Behind 2nd Row (ft.cube)	26.6	27.1	23.0	27.5
Behind 1st Row (ft.cube)	59.7	60.3	60.7	62.2

Comparing the practicality of these awesome SUVs, Range Rover has the most space at the back with 27.5 inches when all seats are up and when folded down it has an unrivaled 62.2 inches of space. Mercedes AMG GLE has a weak point with cargo space at 23.0 inches with all seats up. BMW, on the other hand, is good but not better than Porsche cayenne which has 27.1 inches.

From the front, the X6 is a dead-ringer for the X5. Things get dramatically different once you start to look at the X6 from different angles. It’s a crossover from the belt line down and something entirely different where its windows start. Not quite as svelte as a sporty hatchback or sedan, the crossover still boasts a profile far more refined today than nearly a decade ago when the first X6 debuted. - TheCarConnection

Dimensions and Weight

The 2018 X6 is 193.8 inches in length and 78.3 inches in width. Ground clearance is 7.8 inches which makes it a hit, be it on and off road. Large wheelbase of 115.5 inches means more room inside for the passengers. The height of 7.8 inches makes the X6 a big, muscular SAV on the road.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Curb weight(lbs)	4585	4377	4960	4839
Length(in)	193.8	193.7	192.6	192.0
Width(in)	78.3	78.1	78.9	78.1
Height(in)	67.0	66.8	67.7	71.0
Ground clearance(in)	7.8	8.2	7.8	7.9
Wheelbase(in)	115.5	114.0	114.8	115.0
Track width(in) F/R	64.7/67.2	66.2/65.9	65.1/65.9	66.6/66.6

The new 2019 Porsche Cayenne is almost similar in length and width department to the X6. Mercedes AMG is the widest with 78.9 inches and heaviest at 4960 pounds but a shorter wheelbase of 114.8 inches means less cabin space. Range Rover has a wider track width both front and rear of 66.6 inches which makes it stable at high speeds and while cornering and taller stance with 71 inches to give more presence on the road.

Towing Capacity

With a towing capacity of 6000 pounds, the 2018 BMW X6 can easily pull a boat, a camper, and even a big trailer too. The X6’s enormous towing capacity makes it one of the favorites amongst the SUV lovers.

Model	BMW X6 sDrive 35i	2019 Porsche Cayenne	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 Coupe	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
Weight (lbs)	6000	7700	7200	7716
Drive Train	RWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L

Range Rover Sport being a sports tourer with AWD advantage towers over everyone with a massive towing capacity of 7716 pounds. Porsche being the lightest has been rated to pull double its weight i.e.; 7700 pounds. The Merc has 7200 pounds towing capacity thanks to its massive engine power. BMW X6 stands last in terms of towing capacity.

2018 BMW X6 offers hosts of safety features to protect you and your vehicle, on the road and off it. Some of the coolest features by far is the BMW remote services which include stolen vehicle recovery, remote door-unlock, and BMW remote app. The IIHS and NHTSA have not rated the 2018 BMW X6 yet but you can expect excellent safety scores from both. Some of the standard features are given below:

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Driver’s and passenger’s front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) with advanced technology: dual-threshold, dual-stage deployment; and front-passenger-seat sensors designed to prevent unnecessary airbag deployment
• Automatic-locking retractors (ALR) on all passenger-seat safety belts (for installation of child-restraint seats)
• Central locking system on the driver and front passenger doors (leaves fuel filler door unlocked)
• Impact sensor that activates Battery Safety Terminal disconnect of alternator, fuel pump and starter from battery; automatically unlocks doors; and turns on hazard and interior lights
• Adaptive Brakelights
• LATCH for child-restraint safety-seat installation
• Front safety belts with automatic pre-tensioners
• Anti-theft alarm system
• Rollover sensor that triggers airbags and safety-belt pre-tensioners in the event of a rollover
• BMW Assist eCall includes Emergency Request (SOS button) and Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification

 

BMW X6 Vs Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne is instantly recognizable and desirable in ways the BMW X6 can never be. Dynamically designed Porsche Cayenne is hands down winner in many aspects like massive towing capacity, lightweight chassis, excellent space on the inside and an awesome engine. BMW X6 is showing its age interiorly and exteriorly. In technology, both are neck to neck but Porsche still has the upper edge.

BMW X6 Vs Mercedes AMG GLE

These 2-coupe designed SUV’s have a very niche market when it comes to sheer numbers. But what they offer shows the real difference. Mercedes has the AMG prowess whereas BMW lacks in the engine department. Ride quality is the same because of the stiff suspension but AMG is AWD standard which shows they leave no stone unturned when it comes to performance. With high power, it plows through any surface and that 9G-Tronic transmission is just brilliant.

BMW X6 Vs Range Rover Sport

Range Rover Sport doesn’t have the sharp responses but it is decent enough and counters it with greater cruising comfort. The supercharged V6 is an awesome unit and better than what BMW X6 offers. Plus being a full-size SUV, you have the option of 7 seats and also massive towing capacity. The only issue is that Land Rover reliability which is not good as BMW.

BMW X6 will no doubt continue to be one of the most controversial SUV on sale. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it gets the attention it is worthy of, be it in a crowded market or on the racetrack. The Original SUV coupe might have its haters, but it also has some fans.

Judging by its DNA, the 2018 BMW X6 is an excellent offering. It isn’t the most comfortable one neither the most practical option, but it ultimately shows off your bold lifestyle which leaves the people awe-struck.