2021 BMW X6 M Review

Name: 2021 BMW X6 M Review
Brand: BMW

BMW X6 M 4dr SUV Exterior. Competition Package Shown.

+120

If you're looking for subtle, you might want to keep on shopping. The X6 M Competition makes a visual impression as much as its 617 horsepower will impress your body into the sport seats. As you might expect of anything with "Competition" in its name, luxury takes a back seat. The X6 M Competition's firm suspension and responsive steering work well on smooth, winding roads but deliver a less than luxurious experience on rougher roads. Additionally, its coupe-like styling offers less cargo space than the BMW X5.

Used X6 M for sale

$78,900

1 listing

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

BMW X6 M model years

BMW X6 M for Sale

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

2021 BMW X6 M Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Massive power from its turbocharged V8
Impressive handling performance
High-quality interior packed with features

Cons

Stiff and sometimes unyielding ride
Distinctive styling limits rear headroom and cargo capacity
Compromised rear visibility

What's new

Now available with Android Auto smartphone integration
Minor changes to feature availability and option packages
Part of the third X6 M generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Few vehicles are more niche-oriented than coupe-style ultra-high-performance SUVs. Starting with a midsize luxury SUV, manufacturers add tremendous performance and redesign the roofline for a sportier appearance. A prime example is the 2021 BMW X6 M. It's based on the X6, which is the coupe-style derivative of the X5 SUV. From there, the X6 M gains BMW's full M division performance makeover, including a 600-horsepower V8, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, grippier tires and M-specific styling enhancements.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$365/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

BMW fully redesigned the X6 M in 2020, so the 2021 model carries over pretty much unchanged other than newly standard Android Auto wireless smartphone integration. It faces off against a trio of similarly conceived vehicles: the Audi RS Q8, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo. Which one should you get? Or would it be better to get the more practical BMW X5 M? Read our Expert Rating below for our take on the X6 M's performance, utility and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the X6 M drive? We tested the X6 M in its Competition guise. At the Edmunds test track, it ripped from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, which places it among the quickest midsize luxury SUVs we've ever tested. The turbo V8 engine also makes gobs of easily accessible torque down low, so driving around town is smooth and effortless. The brakes are up to the task of hauling up this big SUV (stopping from 60 mph took just 107 feet in our test) and are also smooth and consistent.

The X6 M Competition can take a corner pretty well. But this is a heavy SUV and its suspension is quite stiff. As such, the X6 M gets unsettled on less than perfect roads. Steering is accurate and direct and provides some road feedback to the driver, but its heavy weighting can also make trolling for a parking lot space more of a chore. BMW also loves giving you lots of drive mode options. There are six settings for the transmission alone. We can see the appeal of the customization possibility, but having this much choice can get overwhelming.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the X6 M? The front sport seats offer plenty of adjustment and support along with available heat, massage and cooling. Both the heat and cooling functions could be more powerful, but otherwise it doesn't get much better. The rear seats are a little too upright and flat for adults to really get comfortable. The X6 M Competition's ride quality isn't harsh and actually handles big impacts well. But even in the softest comfort setting, it's never really settled.

Just like the related X5 M, the X6 M generates a lot of road noise when driving over broken pavement. Otherwise the rest of the cabin is pretty well insulated against ambient and wind noise.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? Most controls are within easy reach of the driver. The vast array of buttons and knobs can look overwhelming, but most everything is straightforward, though things such as the trip odometer seem needlessly hidden. BMW's iDrive infotainment system does allow for some customization of the controls to suit your taste.

It's trickier getting in and out of the X6 than the X5 because the sloping roof cuts into the open door space. The seats are also set somewhat inward and make the step inside larger than you expect. The excellent driving position is upright and comfortable, though the large roof pillars and small rear window create blind spots. Luckily the X6 M's surround-view camera eliminates a lot of guesswork while you're parking.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? There's a learning curve to BMW's iDrive infotainment system, but you should be comfortable with operating it after some use. You can also use BMW's voice controls to do things such as input navigation or make a call. Syncing a smartphone is easy, and Bluetooth reconnects quickly. The X6 M has wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which means you can sync up your phone's apps to the infotainment system without having to use a cord.

The X6 M does come with an extensive number of driver safety features, from surround-view cameras to adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. For the most part, these systems work well and even offer some limited hands-off driver assistance, but the lane-centering system could use some refinement.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The X6 M's cargo area is smaller than its X5 M counterpart's. It's still a decent size, offering 27.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The load floor is low and wide, and the 40/20/40-split rear seats fold down when you need to load longer items. Interior storage is pretty standard for the class. The deep door pockets can hold large water bottles, but center console storage space is lacking.

Got small children to haul around? There are easy-access Isofix anchors for each rear outboard seat. The doors open wide enough to make installing a seat relatively easy, but there's less room to fit a bulky rear-facing car seat than in the related X5.

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the X6 M gets 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway). That's at the bottom of the class and behind many direct competitors such as the Maserati Levante Trofeo and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. We got 17.5 mpg on our highway-biased 115-mile test route, which indicates that the EPA estimates should be accurate (as long as you exercise a bit of right-foot restraint). Brace yourself for frequent fill-ups regardless.

Value

7.0/10

Is the X6 M a good value? The interior is appointed with high-quality materials, including leather covering the seats, armrest and dashboard. Even the plastics look better than what you'll find on more mainstream vehicles. The fit and finish is equally impressive, with tight panel gaps and no shakes or rattles to speak of. Pricing is similar to Mercedes' AMG GLE 63 Coupe, but we'd be tempted to pay less and get BMW's more practical X5 M.

BMW offers a four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranties, which are average for the class. You also get three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.

Wildcard

8.0/10

This is close to as capable and fun as big, heavy midsize SUVs get. There is much joy to be had when tapping into all 617 horsepower. But we're not fully convinced that the X6 M's dubious gains in style justify the loss in utility.

Which X6 M does Edmunds recommend?

Because we think 600 horsepower is more than enough, we'd suggest sticking with the basic X6 M and forgoing the Competition model. The money you save could be spent on the Executive package for its ventilated and massaging front seats, adaptive headlights and soft-close doors.

2021 BMW X6 M models

The 2021 BMW X6 M is a five-passenger SUV that's available in two trims: the X6 M and the X6 M Competition.

X6 M
The base X6 M comes well appointed with standard feature highlights that include:

600-hp 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine
Eight-speed automatic transmission
Sport-tuned all-wheel drive
21-inch wheels
LED exterior lighting
Adaptive sport suspension
Power tailgate
Panoramic sunroof
Four-zone climate control
Leather upholstery

Technology features include:

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless smartphone integration
Wireless charging pad
Navigation
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Wi-Fi hotspot and remote vehicle control/monitoring
16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the X6 M and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Advanced safety features that include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending front collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

X6 M Competition
The X6 M Competition includes all of the above, plus:

Increased power output to 617 hp
Sport exhaust system
Staggered 21-inch front/22-inch rear wheel setup
Unique exterior design elements

Notable bundled option packages include:

Driving Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the X6 M and the car in front)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Side collision avoidance (steers the X6 M away from an impending side impact)
Automatic lane-change feature (uses various sensors to safely change lanes when the turn signal is applied)

Executive package

Remote ignition
Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
Rear-passenger window shades
Heated and cooled cupholders
Ventilated front seats with massage functions
Heated rear seats
Upgraded headlights

Key stand-alone options include:

Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system
Rear-seat entertainment system
Aluminum interior trim

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW X6 M.

5 (100%)

4 (0%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

5.0

1 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 1 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Unmatched unique head turning vehicle

Vinny P, 09/05/2022

2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A)

I’ve never had more fun driving a car than driving my 2021 X6M Competition. It’s a head turning theme park roller coaster brought to life by BMW. The engine is as mean as it’s gets. With launch mode you’ll dust cars half the size. Highly recommend if you love life and want to smile every time you start the car.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 BMW X6 M, so we've included reviews for other years of the X6 M since its last redesign.

See all 1 reviews of the BMW X6 M

Write a vehicle review

2021 X6 M Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$108,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$365/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X6 M models:

Active Blind-Spot Detection: Warns you when there are vehicles or objects in the vehicle's blind spots.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Automatically applies the brakes to avoid or lessen an imminent front collision.
Lane Departure Warning: Alerts you if the vehicle begins to wander out of its lane.

People who viewed this also viewed

BMW X6
4.0 average Rating out of 4 reviews.
Starting at $73,900

See BMW X6 Inventory

BMW X5
3.8 average Rating out of 35 reviews.
Starting at $65,200

See BMW X5 Inventory

BMW X5 M
Starting at $122,300

See BMW X5 M Inventory

2021 BMW X6 M Review

2021 BMW X6 M Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which X6 M does Edmunds recommend?

2021 BMW X6 M models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW X6 M.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Unmatched unique head turning vehicle

2021 X6 M Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 BMW X6 M info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Bmw

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

2021 BMW X6 M Review

2021 BMW X6 M Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which X6 M does Edmunds recommend?

2021 BMW X6 M models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Unmatched unique head turning vehicle

2021 X6 M Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 BMW X6 M info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Bmw

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}