2015 BMW X6 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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From the moment it arrived in 2008, the BMW X6 has been a controversial car. Love-it-or-hate-it styling, questionable practicality, and no clear reason as to why BMW would start building it in the first place all gave this part-coupe, part-SUV (called “the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe” by BMW) plenty of critics. There’s no doubt, however, that BMW has sold more than plenty of X6's, moving well over a quarter-million worldwide. Those results are encouraging enough that BMW will expand its X-range of SUVs to include an X4 and X7, as well as introducing the second-generation X6 for 2015. Mercedes-Benz is even trying to crack into this new market with its own MLC-Class. The new X6 is not revolutionary in design or look and even has more in common with other models than its previous iteration, but it is a different and enhanced version of the automobile that it replaces.
As before, the X6 shares its chassis and powertrain with the X5, but for 2015 it also shares its hood, grille, headlights, and interior with the X5 (which was redesigned for 2014), while the tail is more reminiscent of the smaller X4. Although the first X6 was often mocked because the sloped rear end essentially just chopped out cargo space from what should have been a practical automobile, the new X6 has even less room than before—53.9 cubic feet versus 59.7 in its predecessor. The 40/20/40-split rear seats do now fold flat, but 6 fewer feet is a fairly sizable difference. Also new is a 10.2-inch screen on top of the dash. The whole car has been lightened about 55 pounds, even though the 2015 model comes with extra equipment, thanks to an aluminum hood, magnesium cross brace, and other lightened components. At 5,170 pounds, though, it’s still a hefty machine.
The U.S. market gets three versions of the X6: the X6 sDrive35i, the X6 xDrive35i and the X6 xDrive50i. The X6 also offers each with available in base, xLine (luxury), and M Sport option packages. The base sDrive35i is the only version available with rear-wheel drive (a first for the X6). It is powered by a 3.0-liter straight-six fitted with a single turbo and coupled to an 8-speed automatic, the standard transmission for all models (sourced from ZF). The xDrive35i is essentially the same vehicle, but with all-wheel drive. For those who want serious performance but don’t want to opt for the all-out 600 hp M6, the xDrive50i features a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, enough to get the bulky coupe/SUV to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.The V6 gets to 60 in a still more than adequate 6.0 seconds. Being turbos, all versions of the X6 require premium fuel.
An air suspension with adaptive damping is an available extra, as is active variable-ratio steering. Choices on the inside include plenty of wood, leather, and aluminum appointment options. Audiophiles can also opt for an available Bang & Olufsen stereo system. The rear liftgate has a handy soft-close function, and this can also be had on the doors if so desired. For safety, available extras include collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic braking. BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control comes standard and has different modes from Comfort to Sport+ that alter suspension and throttle response, engine management, and shift timing depending on the situation. BMW’s iDrive system is still standard and operated by the familiar circular knob, although it now has a touchpad that interacts with the 10.2-inch display screen jutting out prominently from the middle of the dash.
Even as BMW looks ahead to the future with stuff like the i3, it is still building this unnecessary, but intriguing, large automobile. It's less unique now that it shares additional components with other models, and an X5 makes more sense on a lot of levels. But automobiles aren’t always supposed to make sense, even SUVs. The people have spoken with their dollars, and the X6 is popular despite its shortcomings, so it’s here to stay.
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2015 BMW X6 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.15
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 10.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 205 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.15
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 10.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 600 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 20
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.15
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 10.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 20
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed