BMW prefers to call the X6 M a “sports activity coupe,” like its regular-grade X6 sibling. Most of us tend to see both as four-door fastbacks—but M is the one that’s eager to reveal a persuasive dose of high-riding ruggedness. Despite its relatively husky size and weight, the X6 M has its 21-inch tires planted firmly in the high-performance realm. Few competitive vehicles can claim to be as practical as an X6 M in that rarified domain.
Little has changed for the 2017 season. Standard navigation has been updated to iDrive 5.0, with touchscreen functionality. The optional Executive Package now includes wireless charging and a wi-fi hotspot with enhanced USB and Bluetooth. Individual Extended Merino leather upholstery is newly optional.
Buyers considering the M version of the X6 (or any BMW M model) take their performance seriously. To that end, the all-wheel drive X6 M packs a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that delivers 567 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. All that grunt is channeled through a specially calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control.
Acceleration from zero to 60 mph happens in 4 seconds flat—from a vehicle that weighs close to 5,200 pounds. As expected, fuel economy is less impressive, EPA-estimated at a mere 14 mpg in city driving and 19 mpg on the highway (16 mpg combined). Automatic stop/start operation can shut the engine off at stoplights.
Dynamic Damper Control includes a self-leveling rear-axle air suspension. The X6 M stability control system features a Dynamic mode for even greater ability to breeze along winding roads and tackle razor-sharp corners. You also get staggered-width 21-inch wheels, summer performance tires, and M-spec brakes. The exterior receives quad tailpipes and oversized front air intakes, while the interior gets 18-way power heated front sport seats and M-specific instrumentation.
The X6 M can accommodate up to five passengers and 26.6 cubic feet of cargo. With the rear seat folded, cargo volume blossoms to 59.7 cubic feet—roughly the same as a small wagon. The extended leather-upholstered interior boasts four-zone automatic climate control, driver and passenger memory, a simulated suede headliner, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, power liftgate, and navigation with voice controls and real-time traffic data. A standard rearview camera and parking sensors ease the challenge of backing into a tight spot.
For buyers who savor undiluted luxury, the Executive Package offers power soft-closing doors, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear sunshades, and full LED headlights with automatic high-beam control. Driver Assistance Plus, the only other option package, brings several active-safety features: blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, frontal collision warning, and city collision mitigation; plus speed-limit information and surround-view cameras.
Individual options for the X6 M include 20-inch wheels, an automated parking system, a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, Night Vision with pedestrian detection, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and a rear entertainment system with dual screens.
Buyers on a budget might have to accept a regular X6, since the X6 M starts at an eye-popping $102,200. The available 20-inch wheels might seem like a step backward, but we recommend them for improved ride quality unless you’re planning to spend time driving your X6 M at a track. The optional Bang & Olufsen system sounds as great as expected, but intrudes significantly into cargo space when the rear seat is up.
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