The BMW X6 has been in production for 10 years. Currently, in its third generation, the car is based on the BMW X5 chassis but packs more style at the cost of practicality and a heavier price tag. The 2021 BMW X6 prices start at an MSRP of $66,045. It is now the second largest SUV in the BMW line-up, slotting below the 2021 BMW X7.
The 2021 BMW X6 carries over largely unchanged because it is a part of the third generation X6 that was revealed last year
Excellent ride quality
Rear seat headroom much lower than rivals
Minor changes to the equipment levels exist, like the inclusion of Android Auto as standard
Good safety features
Doesn't get characteristic BMW driving dynamics
Some features like acoustic glass, glass interior controls, rear-seat entertainment system, and night vision with pedestrian detection are now eliminated
The six-cylinder variant also gets the addition of a 48V hybrid system
The car comes with a 3L Turbocharged Inline-6 cylinder engine in the X6 40i trim. This trim level is further divided into sDrive 40i and xDrive 40i. The 2021 BMW X6 M50i and the 2021 BMW X6 M, both are reviewed separately. It competes against the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and the Audi Q8.
2021 BMW X6 SUV front view
2021 BMW X6 SUV rear view
Features
The 2021 BMW X6 in 40i trim comes with the option of rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, known as sDrive and xDrive, respectively. There is a price difference of $2,300 between these two. In terms of features, nothing else is different between the two, except the addition of Hill Descent Control. The V8 optioned variants are much more expensive, starting at $87,545. While other trims like X6 M50i and X6 M are available, they get reviewed separately.
Model
sDrive40i
xDrive40i
MSRP
$66,045
$68,345
Key Features
Automatic High Beam Assist
Adds to sDrive40i features
Driver and Front Passenger Heated-Cushion, Seatback
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Driver Lumbar Support
Available integral active steering
Anthracite Headliner
Available Dynamic Handling package
Anti-Lock Braking System w/ 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Available Off-Road package
Anti-theft alarm system w/ motion sensor and vehicle immobilizer
Apple CarPlay Compatible
Which Trim should you buy?
There is not a lot of variety to choose from as the 40i variant does not have anything different in terms of equipment. The variant is also much cheaper than the V8 M50i and represents the value for money pick. Our recommendation would be the rear-wheel-drive variant since it gives you a much more engaging driving experience in most cases. Optional packages like the M Sport Package and Premium Package are also highly recommended.
Engine and Performance
8.9/10
Powering the base BMW X6 is a 3L Inline-6 engine along with the 48V hybrid system. This is good for 335 hp and 330 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is then mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and buyers are given the option of both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The standard six-cylinder engine is itself very smooth to drive and also extremely quick.
2021 BMW X6 SUV in action mode
When it comes to acceleration, the car can do 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and a quarter-mile in just 13.8 seconds. Most people do not need anything that is any faster, and hence $20,000 more for the V8 variant does seem a bit too much. The top speed is limited to 180 mph, which is also very much plenty.
Model
2021 BMW X6
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2021 Audi Q8
MSRP
$66,045
$77,500
$62,750
$70,195
Engine
3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline inline 6 with 48V hybrid system
3.0-liter Twin-Turbo gasoline V6
3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline V6
3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline V6
Drivetrain
RWD
AWD
AWD
AWD
Transmission
8-speed Automatic
8-speed Automatic
9-speed Automatic
8-speed Automatic
Power
335 hp @ 5,500 rpm
335 hp @ 5,300 rpm
362 hp @ 5,500 rpm
335hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque
330 lb.ft. @ 1,500 rpm
332 lb.ft. @ 1,340 rpm
369 lb.ft. @ 1,600 rpm
369 lb.ft. @ 1,350 rpm
0-60 mph
5.2 secs
5.9 secs
5.1 secs
5.6 secs
Quarter-Mile
13.8 secs
14.3 secs
13.7 secs
14.0 secs
Top Speed
180 mph
152 mph
155 mph
150 mph
The BMW X6 does feel like quite the value-for-money package even at its price of $66,045 because its rivals are much more expensive. When it comes to performance, however, all the rivals have nearly the same horsepower and torque figures, with the Mercedes-Benz being the leader in terms of horsepower as well as torque, the latter recognition being shared with the Audi Q8 as well. Still, the BMW X6 is the second-fastest accelerating car and hence is no slouch.
How well does the 2021 BMW X6 handle?
The BMW X6 has an excellent grip and can go about in such a way that it is almost surprising that it is a midsize crossover SUV. The 40i trim levels the suspension at its softest setting but still provides very engaging driving dynamics. However, it is the rear-wheel-drive variant that remains true to the name BMW has achieved in terms of the handling department.
The ride is also pretty nice and comfortable. The steering is easy to maneuver but picks up weight rather well and does not feel like a handful in corners. It doesn’t give the best feedback but is very direct and can be even called quick. The all-wheel-drive variant gets more traction but somehow lacks the drama that comes with the rear-wheel-drive version.
2021 BMW X6 Braking Performance
Weighing in at over 4,585 lbs, it is very important that the BMW X6 comes equipped with good brakes. Sure enough, the manufacturer has provided 14.4-inch brake rotors in the front and 13.6-inch brake rotors in the rear. Combined, this is good enough to bring the car to a complete halt from 60 mph in just 122 feet. This number is very impressive and is comparable to much smaller and lighter cars.
Model
2021 BMW X6
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2021 Audi Q8
Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
14.4
13.7
14.8
13.8
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
13.6
12.9
13.6
13
Curb Weight (lbs)
4585
5199
5082
4784
60-0 (feet)
122
125
118
125
As we have observed before, the braking performance of the BMW is quite impressive. However, the Mercedes is able to better the braking performance of the BMW, stopping at just 118 feet despite being almost 500 lbs more. The Audi and the Porsche, on the other hand, are a bit behind in this department but still remain very competitive. When comparing the curb weight, Mercedes is the heaviest option in the competition.
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
When it comes to fuel economy, the six-cylinder variant is the best one because it has an excellent reputation for being efficient. The 3L engine from BMW returns an excellent 21 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG in the combined cycle. The fuel tank capacity is also an impressive 21.9 gallons, which results in the BMW X6 having a range of up to 569 miles on the highway, which should be enough for most trips.
Model
2021 BMW X6
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2021 Audi Q8
MPG (city)
21
19
19
17
MPG (highway)
26
23
24
21
MPG (combined)
23
20
21
18
Fuel tank capacity
21.9 gallons
23.7 gallons
22.5 gallons
22.5
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)
459/569/ 503 miles
450/545/ 474 miles
427/540/472 miles
382/472/404.5
Like we have mentioned, the BMW has very impressive fuel efficiency figures and represents the best numbers in the class. The next best car remains the Mercedes, which is surprising because it has good performance as well. Then comes the Porsche which makes up for its slightly lesser fuel efficiency figures by providing the largest tank in the class. The Audi Q8 is the least efficient but comes with a bigger fuel tank than BMW in the competition.
Interior
6.8/10
BMW has gone about standardizing most of its interior design, and hence the X6 looks quite similar to other BMWs. The cabin has very nice materials and soft-touch surfaces as well as two 12.3-inch digital displays. It is also very ergonomic, and a lot of convenience features are integrated into the car like gesture control, 16-way power-adjustable front seats, customizable ambient lighting, and so on.
2021 BMW X6 SUV cockpit area
In terms of space, the cabin is pretty generous again, but rear-seat passengers will feel that the car is much more cramped than the BMW X5 that it is based on. This is due to the coupe-like roofline, which does a lot for style but not much for practicality. The cargo capacity also suffers a bit dropping down to 27.6 ft.³.
2021 BMW X6 SUV front seats
Model
2021 BMW X6
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE
2021 Audi Q8
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/ Legroom) (inch)
39.9/60.5/40.3
N/A
38.9/58.5/40.3
38.1/58.5/40.2
Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder room/ Legroom) (inch)
37.9/57.9/35.6
N/A
38.5/58.4/38.4
37.1/59.5/41.6
Cargo Capacity (cu. ft.)
27.6
22.0
38.2
30.6
All the cars in this category offer seating for five passengers and are nearly similarly spacious in the front row. The same cannot be said about the rear row of every SUV in the competition. Cargo capacity is the least in the Porsche, followed by the BMW. The Mercedes-Benz is the most spacious as well as the one with the most cargo capacity. Some standard interior features include:
BMW has pioneered its iDrive control interface over time, and the system in the 2021 BMW X6 has very nice graphics, and the responses are very snappy. There are two 12.3-inch touchscreens offered with built-in navigation, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, and so on. The system can be controlled by a rotary controller, voice commands, buttons, or gesture control. There are optional speaker systems that enhance the capabilities of the infotainment system as well. Some features of the infotainment system include:
Navigation
Bluetooth connectivity
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
SiriusXM
Two smart-charging USB ports
10-speaker HiFi sound system with a 205-watt digital amplifier
AM/FM stereo
16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system with a 464-watt amplifier (Optional )
The BMW X6 that was designed for the 2019 model year has a polarizing design. It has been accepted by a lot of people as a good one but raises questions for a lot of other people. That has been a similar reaction regarding many BMW designs of late, and the big proportions of the X6 do not do it any favors in hiding its slightly controversial lines. Alongside this, more flashy features like the illuminated kidney grille make it a bit too hard to ignore. The SUV weighs 4,585 lbs and stands 8.3 inches above the ground.
2021 BMW X6 SUV
Model
2021 BMW X6
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
2021 Audi Q8
Curb Weight (lbs)
4585
5199
5082
4784
Length (inch)
194.8
193.7"
194.3"
199.6"
Width (inch)
78.9"
78.1"
76.7"
77.5"
Height (inch)
66.3"
66.8"
70.7"
68.5"
Ground Clearance (inch)
8.3"
6.6"
7.1"
9.4"
Wheelbase (inch)
117.1"
114"
117.9"
117.9"
In terms of dimensions, the BMW X6 is only smaller than the Audi Q8. But even the relatively smaller cars in this category, the Porsche and the Mercedes, are still very large. The X6 is the widest as well as the car with the second highest ground clearance, but it is the lightest one in the bunch. Due to the shorter wheelbase, the Porsche is much more agile than any of the cars in this category. Major exterior highlights of the SUV are:
In cars from manufacturers like BMW, five-star safety ratings are often taken for granted because the company places such a large emphasis on safety. However, we do not have the 2021 BMW X6’s crash test ratings because it has not been tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA. The BMW X5, on which it is based, gets a four-star rating from NHTSA as well as excellent ratings from the IIHS. One look at the safety features of the car, and we will know for sure how good it is in terms of this aspect. Some of the standout safety features include:
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go
Automatic high beams
Rearview camera
Safety belt pre-tensioners
Daytime Pedestrian Protection
Park Distance Control
Night vision with pedestrian detection
Competition
7.0/10
2021 BMW X6 Vs. 2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
The 2021 BMW X6 and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe are two of the most dynamically capable midsize crossover SUVs that have ever been produced. However, the Cayenne is a bit cramped and compromised in terms of luxury, whereas the BMW is a more well-rounded package. It all comes down to what you prefer from your midsize crossover SUV.
2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
2021 BMW X6 Vs. 2021 Mercedes Benz GLE 450
The Mercedes-Benz GLE does not have the same appeal as the BMW X6 due to the lack of a coupe body style, other than in the AMG variants. However, the GLE 450 is a cheaper, more powerful, and better-performing car in terms of both acceleration and braking. Hence this would be a more value-for-money pick even though it is a bit down on styling.
2021 Mercedes Benz GLE 450
2021 BMW X6 vs. 2021 Audi Q8
The 2021 Audi Q8 has been the brand’s attempt at cracking the coupe SUV formula but falls short in most metrics. It is, however, a much better-looking car and has excellent proportions as well as road presence. When it comes to performance and luxury, however, the BMW leaves no stone unturned and proves to be a better pick.
2021 Audi Q8
Final Verdict
8.1/10
The 2021 BMW X6 is a unique choice because while it represents a very competitive and stylish car, it is overshadowed by its own stablemate, the BMW X5. The car has excellent performance, questionable styling, but it is hard to deny that the powertrain offered is one of the best we have ever seen from BMW. The engine is not only powerful and smooth but also extremely fuel-efficient. Overall, it is a car we would pick over its competition.
High tech and powerful SUV Either at a public place, or a rocking party my BMW X6 stands out in a crowd. One of the most rakish performances and the stylish exterior and interior cues seems to shout rather than whisper. As the saying goes, once you've experienced luxury, you'll never want to go back. I would recommend it to anyone seeking beauty and impressive performance. Our salesman was ...
Cons - No third row, Expensive, Cramped rear space.
This didnt come cheap When I told my family about me buying the X6, they were all happy but were shocked to know that the car costs $78,367 and were further disappointed to know that it came with a normal 2 rows of seating instead of 3. Talking about the experience driving my X6, its like no other SUV that I've driven and performs extremely well with cabin that is finished off in high quality mat...
Limited rear headroom. My BMW X6 is not an ideal SUV. It lacks a few things an SUV must have. The rear headroom is very much restricted for tall people due to the sloping coupe-like roofline. The rear visibility , on the other hand, is limited due to the thick pillars. Moreover, the steering feels unresponsive around the corners. Hence, it affects the confidence to drive fast around the corners. ...
