2009 BMW X6 Review
2009 BMW X6 Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Capable handling, comfortable and roomy front seats, high levels of grip and stability, beefy available twin-turbo V8.
Cons
- Cramped rear seats, limited cargo space, hefty price, poor rearward visibility, heavy curb weight.
What’s new
The 2009 BMW X6 remains relatively unchanged from last year with only a shuffling of some features in the options structure.
Edmunds says
The 2009 BMW X6 offers impressive performance and distinctive styling, but its considerable price and lack of utility make it a rare dud from BMW.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2009 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A) 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 $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$313/mo for X6 xDrive35i
X6 xDrive35i
vs
$210/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Just because something's different doesn't necessarily make it better. Or does it? When BMW introduced the X6 last year, that question, along with, "Do we really need something like this?" sprang forth. With BMW covering the small and midsize crossover SUV market with the X3 and X5, the X6 finds itself in a niche within a niche.
BMW calls its midsize X6 a "Sports Activity Coupe" (even though it has four doors), presumably because of the X6's sporty and graceful profile. There's no doubt that the X6 is a head turner, but these good looks come at a price -- literally and figuratively. The unique sloping rear roofline includes the unfortunate side effect of reducing cargo space, rear headroom and visibility. Then there's the price tag. Despite sharing most of its underpinnings with the more conventionally styled X5, the X6 is priced more than $9,000 higher.
What you get for that premium, however, is a surprising amount of performance. The results from our testing of the 300-horsepower xDrive35i model are closer to those of a sport sedan than an SUV. And what is even more shocking is that the X6 weighs almost 5,000 pounds. Its ability to quickly accelerate, corner and slow down defies logic, and to BMW's credit, the X6 also provides a comfortable and quiet front-seat ride. For those who hunger for even more performance than that from the standard twin-turbo inline-6, there is the xDrive50i that boasts an over-the-top twin-turbo V8 producing 400 hp.
Stellar performance aside, it's difficult to get over the perception that you're paying more for less with the 2009 BMW X6. Taking into account that it can only seat four, when other luxury SUVs accommodate five (or more, with third-row seating), the appeal of this visual and visceral stunner begins to wane. The closest competitor, the Infiniti FX50, mimics the performance-over-utility concept of the X6, but with a different approach to styling that some may find unappealing. With similarly priced sporty SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Range Rover Sport on hand, you're going to have to really love the X6's style for its sacrifice of functionality and versatility to make sense.
Performance & mpg
The 2009 BMW X6 xDrive35i is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 that produces 300 hp and 300 pound-feet of torque. In our testing, this X6 accelerated to 60 mph from a standstill in an impressive 6.3 seconds. The xDrive50i comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that generates 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque; BMW claims a 0-60 time of only 5.3 seconds. Both engines route power to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.
Fuel economy registers an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 17 mpg in combined driving for the xDrive35i, while the xDrive50i manages only 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway and 15 mpg in combined driving.
Safety
Standard safety features on the X6 include antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Also included is BMW's advanced Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) that greatly enhances directional stability and traction by redirecting power to individual wheels.
Driving
The 2009 BMW X6 delivers an astonishing amount of performance considering its size and weight. Cornering prowess is most impressive, owing to a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution and wide, sticky tires. The Dynamic Performance Control all-wheel-drive system also contributes heavily, especially in low grip conditions or at high speeds.
Acceleration is brisk, thanks to quick yet smooth shifts from the six-speed automatic, though the shift paddles have a flimsy feel about them. Braking power is remarkably strong and fade-free, especially considering this big Bimmer's heft. Despite the X6's athletic performance, ride comfort does not suffer. In everyday driving, the cabin keeps road and wind noise to a minimum, while the suspension soaks up road imperfections with ease.
Interior
From the front seats, the BMW X6 is nearly identical to the X5 that it is based on. The X6 adds details like sportier seats and steering wheel that make the cockpit feel more like a sport sedan's than an SUV's. Cushioned center console sides (to help protect knees during aggressive cornering) are also unique to the X6. Luxurious leather upholstery is standard throughout the cabin as is dark wood trim for a decidedly upscale flavor.
The big changes happen behind the front seats, mostly due to the sloping roofline that reduces rear headroom by about two inches. The rear seats are also only capable of accommodating two passengers, since the large rear center console is not removable. The rear seats however, are comfortable and supportive, though legroom feels a bit cramped when compared to the X5's.The dramatic roofline also cuts into the cargo area, which holds up to 60 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed (compared to the X5's 75 cubes). Cargo capacity is sufficient for occasional hauling, but with the seats up, capacity is limited to a relatively shallow 25 cubic feet.
2009 BMW X6 models
The 2009 BMW X6 is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that is offered in two trim levels. The base xDrive35i trim comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, power front seats with driver memory settings, parking assist sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, the iDrive multimedia interface and a 12-speaker audio system with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack. The xDrive50i trim level includes all of the above and adds multicontour seats and voice-activated navigation with real-time traffic (all of which are available on the xDrive35i as options).
A wide array of options that are grouped into packages can be added to the X6. The Premium package includes auto-dimming mirrors, a power liftgate, ambient lighting, front-seat lumbar support, a cargo-area rail system and Bluetooth. The Sport package adds sport front seats and adaptive suspension dampers and stabilizer bars. A Premium Sound package is available that upgrades the audio system with 16 speakers, a six-CD changer and an iPod/USB adapter. Other optional features found in packages include rear-seat climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.
Stand-alone options include active steering, 20-inch wheels, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped dashboard and center console, a head-up display, satellite and HD radio, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2009 BMW X6.
5 star(84%)
4 star(7%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(3%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
X6 3.5i and 5.0i Sport
CARDEALER, 06/26/2009
2009 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 6A)
As owner of a car dealership I have the advantage of driving everything available in South Africa. So we owned a Q7 and a Range Rover Sport amongst others. We own a 2008 X6 3.5i sport and loved the driving comfort, handling and general driving pleasure so much that I just bought myself a X6 5.0i sport. For me, being a lover of sport cars, this is the real deal. It's like owning a sports … car on steroids. We agree out of all cars we enjoy these two cars the most! So, wife drives one and I drive one, because not much else appeals so much. So, no matter what people say about the looks, fuel consumption and so on, go drive the thing and you will be hooked too. Happy driving!
5 out of 5 stars
Best Bimmer Ever
doctorevil1, 03/01/2011
2009 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 6A)
Have driven many BMWs, Porsches, etc.
This is the best combo of sport, fun, function, power, looks, and exclusivity.
Practical?
I coach baseball and this car handles all my gear.
Having had many sport sedans includeing 535, 335, etc, somehow this car handles better and feels more aggressive.
Ride is comfy, but torque and turn-in are there when you want some.
Cabin is like a 7 series, the … environment is truly sublime on a freezing day within about 30 seconds of ignition.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great Car - Eats Gas
KCnSprock2, 07/30/2009
2009 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
Handles really well and is extremely comfortable, with room for kids, dog and luggage. Great family car with a lot more sport than an SUV, previously had an X5 and this blows the X5 away. Downside is that it eats gas voraciously. Highly recommend for low mileage driver - not an everyday commuter car unless you like supporting the local gas station.
4.63 out of 5 stars
A fun vehicle to drive
hog4oc, 05/13/2008
2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A)
I just trade in the 2006 530Xi wagon, love this vehicle, fun to drive, have the SUV high command feeling, but with good road performance. Now I hate my 07 Escalade.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2009 BMW X6, so we've included reviews for other years of the X6 since its last redesign.
2009 X6 Highlights
xDrive35i
Base MSRP | $55,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $313/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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