BMW X6 2015 Review

Since it was introduced in 2008, the BMW X6 has been lambasted as a car that doesn't make sense. If it's an SUV, why is it without immense practicality or true off-road ability? And if it's a sports car, why is it so tall, heavy and ungainly looking?

Despite the arguments, the car has been an unmitigated success for BMW globally, with more than a quarter of a million units sold worldwide – 100,000 more than forecasted at its inception. And if you need more proof of its success, consider that Mercedes-Benz and Audi are right now cloning the design.

Part of me tends to agree with the "seriously?" sentiment in regards to the X6's rationale but it's difficult to find fault in the vehicle if you put yourself in the shoes of buyers who want to make a statement.

And what a statement this car makes – phwoar!

Up close or from afar the X6 is an instant conversation starter, with hints of moon buggy set off by its sloping roof line, jacked-up suspension and giant 20-inch alloy wheels, the latter now standard on all models.

The second-generation model on test, dubbed F16 internally, is the entry-level X6 30d, which is expected to account for around two in every three X6 sales.

This second-generation X6 doesn't change the visual recipe too much with only a prominent crease above the rear wheel-arch the notable difference. It gets a slightly more aggressive front-end design, which "looks like a great white shark with its bonnet creases," according to the car's product manager, Brendan Michel.

Step inside the striking crossover vehicle and like most six-figure-plus luxury cars the X6 is beautifully finished. The US-built behemoth features large, welcoming leather-trimmed seats that have enough side bolstering to make you feel like you're in a performance car, not a family SUV.

The controls are intuitively placed for the most part and though the steering wheel is festooned with buttons it takes only a few moments to accustom oneself.

Run your fingers over the X6's interior and it seems as though almost every surface is covered in leather, which adds to the car's lavish feel. But the trumpcard is undoubtedly the new-look digital instrument panel – meaning the new X6 has not one, but two ultra-wide 10.2-inch screens, with the other used for satellite-navigation and infotainment duties.

The high-tech instrument panel is a welcome relief from the customarily dull orange-on-black instruments of lesser Beemers, and when you switch the car to sport mode, the dials morph into a futuristic Blade Runner-inspired crimson theme.

The steering wheel feels good, the leather-covered dash looks primo and the new-generation infotainment system is excellent — the centrepiece of which is the aforementioned high-res 10.2-inch colour screen. The voice control system works well and made using the navigation effortless – quite literally.

On a short drive between Melbourne and the Yarra Valley, about 200km, the new X6 performed impeccably. Naturally you sit rather high (a key selling point) so the view of the road – whether battling urban traffic or cruising on the open road – is very good.

Underway, the X6 is a confident, brawny machine, transferring this sensation to the driver; by the time you've slotted into a few corners it's clear the car's huge size and considerable 2.1-tonne weight have little bearing on proceedings.

To be blunt, the X6 has a ridiculous amount of grip. Fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 275/40 front and 315/35 rear run-flat tyres, the big Bimmer sticks to the road like, well, a sports car…

Punted flat-stick through some relatively sharp corners, the X6 doesn't miss a beat, tracking keenly through bends as if it was 500kg lighter.

The hulking X6 30d on test was fitted with the M Sport package, an $1800 option that adds a sporty body kit, M sports steering wheel and adaptive suspension. BMW reckons something like 70 per cent of X6 buyers will opt for the M Sport package (50 per cent of X5 buyers already have) and when set to sporty mode the adaptive suspension virtually eliminates any body roll while cornering.

The net result of this? More fun.

The entry-level X6 30d's 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine pumps out a very useful 190kW/560Nm, enough mumbo to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 6.7 seconds.

It's more than enough poke to test the X6's considerable grip limits, and when combined with the now-standard eight-speed automatic transmission ensures a power delivery that's smooth but forceful.

Dynamically, the X6 is outstanding — arguably one of the best-handling and most involving SUVs you'll find today. The steering is direct and the vehicle generally does what you ask it to, which at times can be downright scary.

All models retain the 85-litre fuel tank which gives the X6 30d 3.0-litre turbo-diesel model on test a theoretical cruising range of more than 1000km with its 6.0L/100km claimed fuel efficiency – down from 7.4L/100km, which is an impressive reduction.

And if you really want a burger with the lot there's always the X6 50i, whose 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 belts out 330kW/650Nm and hits 100km/h in claimed 4.8 seconds. And it sounds fantastic.

We covered the new X6 price and spec news here, but while the entry X6 30d increases to $115,400, the X6 50i now costs $151,600. Even more expensive is the X6 M50d super-diesel, at $157,900.

Criticisms? There aren't too many. The rear window is tiny, reducing vision. But with a sensor array to rival a military satellite you'll always know what's around you.

Front occupants have a huge amount of room, as do those in the rear, though rear head room is compromised by the sloping roofline. The boot features an adjustable powered tailgate and luggage capacity has increased by 75 litres to 580 litres, yet it's still a shallow space that doesn't feel as cavernous as it should.

There's also a space-saver spare wheel and ride quality on the 20-inch diameter wheels with run-flat tyres is not always cushy. On dirt roads the car was predictable but a bit bumpy. The giant barrel-sized wheels look jazzy but their size means that snow chains can't be fitted.

This entry-level X6 30d is almost $5000 more expensive than before, at $115,400, but in its defence you get more goodies now. Adaptive LED headlights, eight-speed automatic transmission, a driving assistant safety package and one of the coolest digital instrument panels yet are all standard.

After a day in the new X6, I'm torn. When I look at the X6 I feel ill, but when I drive it I feel amazing.

Ultimately the BMW X5 is a more practical and affordable vehicle, but if you don’t want to blend into the crowd of cookie-cutter SUVs and don't mind arguing aesthetics – and are prepared to pay a premium for it – the X6 is well worth a test drive.