2018 BMW X6 M Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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BMW introduced its X6, dubbed a “Sports Activity Coupe,” for the 2008 model year, and it was closely followed by an all-out performance version called the X6 M. The X6 is little more than an X5 midsize crossover with a chunk of the roofline removed, which makes for a sportier-looking sloping roofline but also results in less cargo room and less headroom for rear passengers. In fact, they look identical from the front—it’s only from the rear and side that the difference is obvious. Some people have a strong dislike for the X6, but it has proven to be a good seller in both normal and sporty M-spec versions. The X6 M costs a bit more than the very similar X5 M at a starting price of around $104,000, and for 2018 no major changes are expected. The X6 M is distinguished from the standard model by more aggressive styling cues, larger forged aluminum wheels with painted accents, and prominently displayed M badges.
Just like the X5 M, the 2018 X6 M has a raucous 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood that makes 567 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It will get from 0 to 60 mph in somewhere around 4 seconds, covers a quarter-mile in the low 12s, and goes on to a quoted top speed of 160 mph. Just as in the X5 M, that extreme amount of power goes to all four wheels, and despite stop-start ignition, the X6 M is estimated to get only 14 mpg city, 19 highway, 16 combined. Also like the X5 M, there's a tempting alternative in the X6 xDrive50i model, which is a far less serious performer, but still makes an impressive 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque at a price almost 30 grand less than the M version's.
Compared to the normal X6, the X6 M has its own suspension system, beefier sway bars, and better brakes, so it’s not out of tricks once it gets to a corner. The X6 M has had serious engineering effort put into it, so despite its being essentially a jacked-up sport wagon, it maintains excellent handling and corners flat. Most who have driven one at the track have expressed surprise at how well it handles.
The X6 M is mostly about performance, but because it’s a BMW, that doesn’t mean it skimps on luxury. Standard equipment includes a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control with separate air-conditioning controls in the rear, heated front seats with lumbar support that are more heavily bolstered than the standard version's, heated mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, an integrated navigation system, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. Optional extras include things like a Bang & Olufsen stereo system and a head-up display. One shortcoming of that sloping roofline that may look sportier to some is that it cuts down on rear headroom for rear passengers. It also takes a chunk out of the rear cargo area that makes the X5 so practical. Overall, 9 cubic feet of rear cargo room are lost between the two BMWs, although the X6 still manages a decent 26 cubic feet, so it still fits more than many coupes and sedans.
The X6 hasn’t been crash tested, but the X5 on which it is based has gotten 5 stars overall in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing and top Good results in the handful of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests in which it has taken part. BMW offers plenty of high-tech safety features, but many are optional extras. A reversing camera is standard, but you’ll have to shell out extra for a surround-view camera, automatic emergency braking, a night vision system (with both pedestrian and animal detection), forward collision warnings, and even adaptive headlights.
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2018 BMW X6 M Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 20G hard drive · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 600 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 15.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 15.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Footwell lights: color-adjustable · Memorized settings: audio system · 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: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 18
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.15
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad 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 spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 10.2 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: driver side auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 18
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Moonroof / Sunroof: power sunshade
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · 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: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.9
Suspension
Air Suspension: rear · Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation