Item: 2021 BMW X6
Rating: 3.5
Author: Joel Patel

Overview

What's New

The 2021 BMW X6 returns for its second year in current form with mild hybrid technology for the standard six-cylinder engine. The system is designed to enhance performance and efficiency, even though fuel economy ratings are unchanged.

All models now come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – and a year subscription to SiriusXM with 360L, which delivers both streaming and satellite programming. The V8-powered M50i model picks up standard remote start and ventilated front seats.

Choosing Your BMW X6

The BMW X6 is available in two trims: 40i and M50i. Pricing starts at a $66,045 including destination for the 40i and tops out at $87,245 for the M50i.

Engine Choices

The 40i carries a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, whereas the M50i gets a 4.4-liter turbo V8 for exceptional performance.

Engine Type	Horsepower	Torque	Fuel Economy (Combined)
3.0L Turbo 6-Cylinder	335 hp	331 lb-ft	23 mpg
4.4L Turbo V8	523 hp	553 lb-ft	18 mpg

The 40i comes standard with rear-wheel drive (sDrive), and all-wheel drive (xDrive) is available for $2,300. The M50i gets xDrive as standard. All versions of the X6 carry an eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control and paddle shifters.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

Unlike most midsize crossovers, the X6 features a sporty, coupe-like profile. While it still does a fine job of accommodating five passengers, overall utility is somewhat limited.

There's 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 59.6 with it folded. These figures fall well short of conventionally styled crossovers of similar size.

Safety Features

The X6 comes standard with all the expected driver-assistance technology for this class, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Driving Assistance Professional Package ($1,700) adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist with side collision avoidance and automatic lane changing, and front cross-traffic alert with evasion assist.

The Parking Assistance Package ($800) furnishes an automated parking system and a surround-view camera display with record feature.

Connectivity

The X6 makes a strong showing here with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10 audio speakers, HD radio, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Up front are two USB ports and a touchpad controller.

Wireless device charging and wi-fi capability are part of the Convenience Package for the 40i, and standard on the M50i.

The M50i also gets a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, which is available on the 40i in the Executive Package. Available on the M50i only is a Bowers and Wilkins Diamond 20-speaker sound system for $3,400.

40i - From $66,045

The 40i comes luxuriously equipped from the start. Every models gets leather upholstery, wood interior trim, heated and 16-way power front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, LED headlights and taillights, fog lights, and 20-inch wheels.

From there, BMW offers three progressive option packages:

The $1,050 Convenience Package contains remote start, four-zone climate control, and the aforementioned wi-fi hotspot and wireless device charger. The $2,800 Premium Package adds touchscreen gesture controls, a head-up display, and the Harman Kardon sound system. The Executive Package ($5,100) tops off the X6 with signature laser-enhanced headlights, cut-glass accents on the shifter and volume control, LED ambient lighting on the sunroof panels, and rear sunshades.

Buyers in the mood for something sporty might go for the M Sport design ($4,500), which equips the 40i with gloss black exterior trim, a sport steering wheel, and unique 20-inch wheels — plus everything in the Convenience Package. With the M Sport design in place, buyers can add the Dynamic Handling Package ($3,650) with an adaptive M Sport suspension, active body roll stabilization, and four-wheel steering.

M50i - From $87,245

Along with its potent V8 engine, the M50i comes standard with the Convenience Package, the M Sport treatment, and ventilated and multi-contour 20-way power front seats (massage remains optional at $1,000).

Due the M50i's higher level of standard equipment, the Premium Package is reduced to $1,000, and the Executive Package to $3,300. The Dynamic Handling Package drops to $2,600.

Compare X6 Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2021 BMW X6 is a very satisfying performer in 40i trim, especially with the Dynamic Handling Package installed. The V8-powered M50i is a serious upgrade in terms of both cost and power. Unless competitive driving is on the agenda, the 40i makes more sense.

John Diether

Automotive Editor - October 27, 2020

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Expert Review

Pros

Unique design
Surprisingly agile
12.3-inch touchscreen
Powerful X6 M model

Cons

Not that practical
Hard to see out of
Tight rear head room
The BMW X5 exists

Expert Rating

3.5

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Joel Patel

Automotive Editor - January 22, 2021

Standard features galore. After receiving a full redesign last year, the 2021 BMW X6 arrives with Android Auto compatibility as standard equipment. Getting smartphone compatibility for Android users may not seem like a big deal, but it certainly helps more buyers.

Every X6 comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch display in the instrument cluster. The central display can be used in various ways, including hand gestures, a rotary knob on the center console, natural voice commands, and touch. While some methods work better than others, BMW’s iDrive system has become one of the better ones on the market and few vehicles offer the same amount of usability.

In addition to the high-tech screens, the X6 also comes with a variety of standard convenience features. Vernasco leather upholstery, 16-way power front sport seats, a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a handsfree power liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are all standard. The X6 may start at $66,045 including destination, but it’s a better value option than many other BMW vehicles.

Distinct styling. The X6 is part of the new craze of SUVs with coupe-like styling. While it shares a lot of design elements as the regular BMW X5, the X6 stands out because of its sloped roofline. The rear end of the X6 looks more like a sedan instead of a traditional SUV with a liftgate. It’s certainly funky and distinct, though it may not appeal to everyone.

Some may find the front end to be even more polarizing than the rear end. As a midsize crossover, the X6 wears one of the largest examples of BMW’s twin kidney grilles to date. BMW also offers a light-up grille, which highlights just how enormous they are. Massive air intakes, large haunches, and a chiseled hood are other standout elements that give the X6 its unusual look.

A few years ago, the X6’s odd silhouette would’ve made it an outcast. More recently, the design has become more common.

BMW X6

Updated powertrains. As with other BMWs on sale, there’s a wide range of available performance with the X6. The standard 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine in the 40i model now comes with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. With a rating of 335 horsepower, the hybrid system doesn’t boost performance or fuel economy, but has a smoother engine stop/start function.

Higher up the lineup, the X6 comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. With the M50i, the engine produces 523 hp. The X6 M gets a high-performance engine that generates 617 hp with the available Competition package. In the regular X6 M, the 600-hp engine is good for a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds.

The X6 may tip the scales at over 5,000 pounds, but it feels sporty to drive. That may sound odd to hear, but BMW has worked its magic on the vehicle. Low trims come with adaptive suspension, while more powerful trim levels come with sport-tuned suspension and active roll stabilization to keep lean to a minimum around corners. Rear-axle steering is also available to help the X6 feel nimbler at lower speeds.

Limited cargo space, tight rear seats. As one would expect, the sloping roofline eats into the X6’s interior space. it offers just 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 59.6. Those figures are less than the X5, which offers 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 72.3.

While BMW doesn’t provide an actual figure for rear head room for the X6, it’s tighter than what passengers will find with the X5. Passengers over 6 feet tall will find that their head just touches the headliner in the back. For a midsize crossover, the X6 trades interior space for performance and design.

Final thoughts. With its unique look, small cabin, and sporty handling, the 2021 BMW X6 is a niche vehicle. It’s not going to appeal to everyone, but that’s the point. It certainly has an interesting design and enough performance to gain some looks of bewilderment.

As long as you know what you’re getting into with the X6, there are very few downsides – it’s a crossover that wears its heart on its sleeve. Moving up to higher trim levels costs quite a lot of money, and if you want blistering performance, you’re going to pay dearly for it. Other than that, the major issue is interior space.

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe has an even smaller interior than the X6, but offers better handling, more powerful engines, and a more upscale cabin. Porsche also offers the Cayenne Coupe in a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

If you’re looking for a larger cabin, the Audi Q8 is the way to go. It doesn’t have the same outlandish styling as the X6 and is more expensive, but it feels more luxurious and can hold more cargo. It isn’t as powerful, though.

Check prices for the 2021 BMW X6 »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Not Available

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

3.0L I-6 / 335 HP / 330 ft.lbs.

Transmission

8-spd STEPTRONIC w/OD

Drive Type

Rear-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

21 / 26 / 24 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

48 Months / 50,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	3.0L I-6 / 335 HP / 330 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	21 / 26 / 24 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension	Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	21.9 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$84

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
Exterior Length	194.8 "
Exterior Width	78.9 "
Exterior Height	66.3 "
Front Headroom
Rear Headroom
Front Legroom
Rear Legroom
Front Shoulder Room
Rear Shoulder Room
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	4,687 Lbs.
Wheel Base	117 "
Turning Radius

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	20.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum / 21.0 " Painted Aluminum / 21.0 " Silver W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 22.0 " Black Aluminum / 21.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum / 20.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Heated, Power Remote Driver, Power Remote W/tilt Down Passenger
Bumpers	Body-colored / Body-colored With Black Insert
Grille Moldings	Metal-look / Dark Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust	Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Dark Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Vernasca Leather / Merino Leather
Front Seat Type	Sport Bucket / Premium Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	12-way (10-way Power) / (12-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	12-way (10-way Power) / (12-way Power)
Front Armrests	12-way (10-way Power) / (12-way Power)
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	40-20-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Siriusxm With 360l Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	9 / 16 Harman/kardon
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Power Telescopic Tilt Style
Climate Control	Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof	Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror	Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Front And Rear
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	5

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating	Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Frontal Collision Warning W/city Collision Mitigation Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor	Active Blind Spot Detection Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Warning Lane Departure / Lane Keeping Assistant With Side Collision Avoidance Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control	Hands-off Steering Assist
Pedestrian Detection	City Collision Mitigation Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights	Directionally Adaptive
Parking Sensors	Park Distance Control Front And Rear / Parking Assistant Plus Automated / Active Park Distance Control Automated
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Major Components Months	48 Months / 50,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	48 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation	144 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2021 BMW X6 for Sale