2020 BMW X6 M
2020 BMW X6 M Review
- Massive power from its turbocharged V8
- Impressive handling performance
- High-quality interior packed with features
- Stiff and sometimes unyielding ride
- Distinctive styling limits rear headroom and cargo capacity
- Compromised rear visibility
- Redesigned for 2020
- Cranks out up to 617 hp from its turbocharged V8
- First model year of the third X6 M generation
BMW's X6 M SUV has been around for a decade now. With its coupe-like roofline, it provides a more distinctive look than its sibling, the more conventional X5 M SUV. The trade-off for more style is less cargo room and rear headroom. In that regard the X5 M has always been the more logical purchase, but clearly BMW has found enough X6 M buyers over the years to keep it going.
The redesigned 2020 BMW X6 M receives the same general overhaul as the regular X6. It's slightly longer, wider and lower than last year and comes with the latest technology and safety features BMW has to offer. Power is up this year, with the turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 now thumping out up to 617 horsepower in X6 M Competition spec.
If a midsize luxury coupe-style high-performance SUV is your thing — how's that for nailing down a vehicle niche? — the X6 M isn't your only choice. Indeed, 2020 has a bumper crop. In addition to the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, Porsche has come out with a new Cayenne Coupe Turbo, and Audi is joining the club with its all-new RS Q8.
Our verdict | |
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. Fortunately it shares the same in-car tech and excellent materials and build quality that M cars are known for. | |
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. | |
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. | |
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, making 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. | |
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 Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto until 2021), 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. | |
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. | |
How economical is the X6 M? | |
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. On our highway-biased 115-mile test route, we got 17.5 mpg, 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. | |
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 Coupe 63, 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 | |
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?
BMW X6 M models
The 2020 BMW X6M is a five-passenger SUV that's available in two trims: the base X6 M and the X6 M Competition.
2020 BMW X6 M pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Safety
Our experts’ favorite X6 M safety features:
- 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.
BMW X6 M vs. the competition
2020 BMW X6 M
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
BMW X6 M vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
Both of these high-performance SUVs aim to deliver car-like athleticism. They're quite similar and concept and philosophy. In general, the X6 M is a little more involving to drive, while the GLE AMG 63 S gives you a slightly more luxurious take. We expect Mercedes to come out with a redesigned GLE Coupe for 2020.
BMW X6 M vs. Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne Coupe is emblematic of all Porsches when you compare it to the BMW X6 M. The Cayenne Turbo Coupe is a top performer in every metric but it comes at a cost. The starting price is $20,000 higher than the BMW and you get fewer standard features too. But if you're looking for a high-performance SUV, this is a top pick.
BMW X6 M vs. Jaguar F-Pace
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR maintains its traditional SUV shape, which means it doesn't sacrifice rear-seat or cargo space for a coupe-like roofline. With 550 horsepower coming from the V8 under the hood, it's certainly able to hang with the Germans. It's also a relative bargain compared to the BMW X6 M.
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FAQ
Is the BMW X6 M a good car?
What's new in the 2020 BMW X6 M?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 BMW X6 M:
- Redesigned for 2020
- Cranks out up to 617 hp from its turbocharged V8
- First model year of the third X6 M generation
Is the BMW X6 M reliable?
Is the 2020 BMW X6 M a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2020 BMW X6 M?
The least-expensive 2020 BMW X6 M is the 2020 BMW X6 M 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $108,600.
Other versions include:
- 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $108,600
- Competition 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $117,600