2018 BMW X6 Review

Name: 2018 BMW X6
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $19,987 - $31,990

Below Average

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Average price: $23,639

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Appraise My 2018 BMW X6

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Calvin Kim

Pros

Engines provide strong acceleration
Comfortable and quiet ride
Quality interior with comfortable front seats

Cons

Sloping roofline cuts down cargo space
Hard to see out the back
Limited rear headroom

What’s new

The 2018 BMW X6 features a standard rearview camera and an updated iDrive system. The rest of the vehicle remains the same.

Vehicle overview

When the X6 launched for 2008, it was met with skepticism from automotive critics. Its coupelike roofline didn't allow the prodigious amount of cargo space people expected from three-row monster-sized SUVs. Nor did it really drive like a sleek, low-slung sports sedan. There were probably a few who predicted an untimely demise. Yet here we are a decade later and the 2018 BMW X6 is still around.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

13 listings

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2018 BMW X6
xDrive35i 4dr SUV
$21,596
good price
$2,260 below market
- 98,777 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats, 18 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- Cars2us Of Fairfax (16 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Fairfax, VA
2018 BMW X6 XDRIVE35I – SEDAN • ALL WHEEL DRIVE • AUTOMATIC • 3.0L DOHC 24 VALVE INLINE 6 TURBOCHARGED • GASOLINE • 18-24 est.VIN: 5UXKU2C55J0X51529 ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXKU2C55J0X51529
Stock: CU7527
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Price Drop
2018 BMW X6
xDrive35i 4dr SUV
$21,690
- 99,809 miles
- 2 accidents, 3 owners, personal use
- 5 Seats, 18 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (191 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Freehold, NJ
Rare Find,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Brake Assist,Hands-Free Liftgate,Heated Seats,Keyless Start,Leather Seats,Navigation System,Satellite Radi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5UXKU2C5XJ0X50344
Stock: TCX23892AA
Certified Pre-Owned: No

See all for sale

Undoubtedly, there's a small but willing group of buyers who want a luxury sedan but with a higher seating position and ground clearance. The X6's sporty look has been part of the appeal as well, and it's backed up by two powerful turbocharged engine options.

If you know you won't be transporting five passengers or hauling an armoire, the X6 could be a fun choice for a SUV. But expect to pay a price for its exclusive looks and capability. It's more expensive than its similarly equipped but more conventional sibling, the X5 SUV. And for that "savings" with the X5, you get more interior volume, towing capability and better visibility.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

The 2018 BMW X6 is an amalgamation of a hatchback sedan and an SUV. But it's not an entirely successful one. The X6 polarizes because it doesn't offer the nimble handling of a sedan or the full utility of a SUV. If this is your kind of niche vehicle, though, it will likely satisfy.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 BMW X6 xDrive35i (turbo 3.0L inline-6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.5

Driving

7.0

Engine and transmission performance are big positives for the X6. It's pretty quick for the class, and the engine and transmission are smooth operators. Unfortunately, the steering communicates little back to the driver.

Acceleration

8.0

Smooth shifting and a strong-performing engine are what you get with the xDrive35i. In our testing, it accelerated from from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.8 seconds.

Braking

8.5

The brakes felt good around town, with linear action requiring minimal force to engage. They're plenty capable of stopping this hefty SUV. In our simulated-panic stop, the X6 needed just 108 feet from 60 mph, but there was some minor pedal fade after repeated stops.

Steering

5.5

The X6 goes where you point it, yes, but there's minimal communication to the steering wheel of what the front tires are up to. The effort is too light in Comfort mode, better in Sport. It can feel numb just off-center.

Handling

6.0

The X6 feels tall, though stiff and capable. Its height limits some connection between driver and road. Body roll is acceptable. Lots of grip from the summer-rated tires. Sport suspension mode tightens things up considerably.

Drivability

7.0

The automatic engine stop-start requires a change in driving style to perfect smooth acceleration from a stoplight. With this feature disengaged, though, the X6 is easy to drive.

Off-road

7.0

All-wheel drive and 8.3 inches of ground clearance give the BMW some off-road capability. It can handle gravel and fire roads but isn't designed to venture much deeper off the path than that.

Comfort

8.5

This is an area where the X6 does it right. Ride quality is good for a performance SUV. The adjustable suspension absorbs imperfections of varying size with ease. Exterior noise stays there, keeping the cabin quiet. Seat comfort is excellent up front and acceptable in the rear.

Seat comfort

8.5

The front seats are firm yet supportive and quite comfy for the long haul. Thigh support could be better. The rear seats are flat and a bit vertical, though they are acceptably comfortable. The armrests are reasonably soft for all seating positions.

Ride comfort

8.0

The X6 does an excellent job soaking up bumps, be they large or small, especially when the suspension is in the Comfort setting. The ride is noticeably firmer and less forgiving in Sport mode.

Noise & vibration

9.0

Interior noise is held to a minimum almost regardless of surface. One exception is the exhaust bark on full-throttle upshifts, but we rather enjoy that. It's just enough to remind you of the turbocharged six-cylinder under the hood.

Interior

8.0

Interior space suffers because of the X6's stylized exterior. The sloping roof limits headroom and rear seat access. Rearward blind spots are also prominent. Cargo and storage are merely average, and the rear seatbacks do not fold completely flat.

Ease of use

9.0

The centrally located iDrive controller resides at the driver's fingertips. The climate control layout is functional but has too many buttons.

Getting in/getting out

5.5

Front seat access benefits from the X6's height and a wide-opening door. Rear seat entry is an exercise in flexibility. The door does not open far enough, the opening is too sloped at the roof, and the wheel hump is a hip bruiser.

Roominess

8.5

Most drivers up to 6 feet tall will find plenty of headroom up front. Elbows and knees will be similarly comfy. The back seat offers suitable legroom for adults, but the roof design limits headroom for taller passengers.

Visibility

8.0

Forward views benefit from lots of glass and the tall ride height. Over-the-shoulder views are limited significantly by thick rear pillars, and the rear window is small.

Quality

9.5

Excellent build quality inside and out. Interior surfaces are soft-touch where they ought to be. Leather is of high quality. No squeaks or rattles.

Utility

7.5

The rear hatch opening is low. The smallish cargo area is aided by underfloor storage. The rear bench seat folds 40/20/40 but not fully flat. The door pockets are usefully large, but the door bottle holders are angled dramatically.

Technology

Thanks to constant refinement, the X6's iDrive and standard navigation systems are easy to manipulate. Multiple inputs allow for flexible pairing and connections for music and phone use.

Which X6 does Edmunds recommend?

We'd maximize the sporting aspect with a bit of financial restraint, and opt for the X6 sDrive35i M Sport Design, equipped with Executive Tier and M adaptive suspension. The 3.0-liter turbocharged engine drives just the rear wheels to minimize weight, while the performance tires and adaptive suspension maximize dynamics.

Compare 2018 BMW X6 trim levels

2018 BMW X6 models

The 2018 BMW X6 is a fastback SUV in three main configurations. The X6 sDrive35i has a turbocharged six-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 300 pound-feet of torque) and rear-wheel drive. The xDrive35i has the same engine but with all-wheel drive. At the top of the range is the all-wheel-drive xDrive50i and its turbocharged V8 (445 hp, 480 lb-ft). Standard equipment is similar on each, and a variety of option packages are available to further deck out the X6.

Standard equipment (BMW calls this the xLine Design) includes 19-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, automatic wipers, a sunroof, a power liftgate, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, driver-seat memory settings and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.

The X6 also comes with BMW's iDrive infotainment interface, navigation, BMW ConnectedDrive services (including BMW Assist emergency communications) and integrated smartphone apps, and a nine-speaker sound system.

Stepping up to the xDrive50i gets you the V8 engine, keyless ignition and entry, four-zone automatic climate control, upgraded front seats, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision warning with low-speed automatic braking.

Except for the V8 engine, all of these features are optionally available for the 35i models.

Both trims can be equipped with an Executive package that comes with soft-close doors, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, and a head-up display. An available Dynamic Handling package includes adaptive suspension dampers with a rear air suspension and active roll stabilization. There's also an M Sport package that gives the X6 sportier-looking body work and special interior trim.

Finally, Apple CarPlay integration, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system and a night-vision system are just some of the stand-alone options available.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$304/mo

$245/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability

The 2018 BMW X6 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, ranks it #11 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average

#11 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$769/yr

vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

Frequency

1.81x/yr

vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

Severity

18.6%

vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

Recalls

4 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 19V823000
Manufactured from:: 2014-03-04 to 2019-05-16
Number of vehicles affected:: 32760
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Defect Consequence:: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 18V614000
Manufactured from:: 2018-07-15 to 2018-07-31
Number of vehicles affected:: 33
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Defect Consequence:: The improperly tightened wheel bolts may loosen and break, affecting vehicle handling and control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten all of the wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 18V439000
Manufactured from:: 2018-06-09 to 2018-06-11
Number of vehicles affected:: 43
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.
Defect Consequence:: If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 20, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 17V727000
Manufactured from:: 2017-10-03 to 2017-10-17
Number of vehicles affected:: 33
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.
Defect Consequence:: Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

BMW X6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

24 reviews

5(75%)

4(21%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(4%)

See all 24 reviews of the BMW X6

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

2016 BMW X6 xDrive 35i Carbon Black Metallic

CD, 05/08/2017

2016 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

After owning and driving this car for almost one year here is my take on it. First let me say that I was sold on this car before the salesman pulled over to let me drive it purely based on how comfortable the upgraded seats were and how powerful it felt on the road. Quiet, powerful, and a very smooth acceleration. The 5.0 or M version is tempting, but really not necessary for me because …

You have to live with it to really know...

Str8line, 01/19/2016

2016 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I'm a wagon guy. A utility guy. A lover of great handling, powerful cars. I spend my money on cars. To me the ultimate car for the money is a GTI, or maybe a truck if you want the ultimate in utility. But let's say you can afford to splurge on a luxury car... why would you get an X6? Well, first off I have a truck. And a sports car(911). And a wagon(BMW 530). But the wagon is getting … older and it was time for a replacement. So naturally I got the X6M as the ultimate wagon. That was a little over a year ago and when it was time to get rid of my wife's third row SUV(Mercedes GL550) for something smaller she decided on... another X6! This time the six cylinder X35i. I was surprised. But this is a surprising vehicle. Don't believe what they say about its storage space, there is a ton, trust me. Like fill up two shopping carts at Costco and fold down the rear seats and watch the X6 swallow it all, space. Which brings me to the X5's cargo space. This is the same car as the X5, just without the tall rear, so in the x5 you really only gain the space above the cargo area where you would stack stuff, and then you can't see out the back window. If you have one vehicle that extra space in the x5 might be important, but if you have a truck or don't usually buy big items you won't miss it. As I said the X6 has a LOT of space in its own right. Also, don't believe what they say about the rear seat room. I'm 6ft. tall and there is three inches of room above my head, and a large amount of legroom. The back seat is actually much more comfortable than the X5's which feels a little like a bench. Now for the good stuff... The X6 is an incredibly fun vehicle to drive. I have a 911. I have an X6M. I know fun. The 35i is a potent engine with great throttle response and a sublime transmission. The suspension is firm, never harsh and entices you to drive this thing like a race car. The brakes are stout. The steering is not 911 or X6M great but it's pretty good and the really the only thing drive-wise they could improve in my opinion. The steering is too light but if you're not jumping out of a 911 or X6M or GTI or BRZ you might not realize that it's not perfect. Want to go off-road? I drove an X3 through the off-road course at the BMW plant in South Carolina and trust me you can do a lot with the x-series BMW's. I go to Moab. I drive Jeeps on their gnarly routes. The X6 won't do that but don't underestimate its abilities off-road, it is very impressive. And the interior, oh my the interior. Wow, wow, wow. Gorgeous. Quality. Comfort. Perfection. The exterior? Well I like it. I don't love it like the 911 exterior, or a Ferrari. But it is different and there is something about this car that makes you take notice. I think it's cool, if a bit quirky. As I said, you really have to live with this vehicle to realize how great it is. One pleasant surprise has been our MPG with the X6. We are averaging over 20MPG in mixed driving with lots of hills. Our old diesel Mercedes GL averaged 20 and we thought that was great. 20MPG for this sporty, gas vehicle is super impressive and I have heard of people getting over 30 MPG on the highway. So if you are looking for a versatile vehicle that drives fantastic and provides a lot of utility while being stylish and different check out the X6.

This car over delivered

Peter Bordeaux, 08/24/2016

2016 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

We have owned (4) prior BMWs (1 325IS and (3) Z4s) the latest was a 2013 Z4. Loved the roadsters but needed something more practical yet sporty. The 2016 X6 was the ticket. We looked closely at the X4 but it was an odd size and would no meet our needs. The X6 has plenty of headroom, front and rear seats. It rides exceptionally well and is incredibly smooth. It is very agile for its …

Love my X6

Lyn381, 06/07/2018

2018 BMW X6 xDrive35i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Bought a 2018 CPO. Traded 2015 X5. This car is fun if you don't need to haul people or things. Acceleration is great, I love leaving drivers at the light. Sport drive turns the odometer area red. This car can go. I get a lot of stares and compliments. Best vehicle I have ever owned!!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 BMW X6, so we've included reviews for other years of the X6 since its last redesign.

2018 X6 Features & Specs

Trim:

sDrive35i

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$62,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$304/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	26.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X6 models:

Speed Limit Information: Lets drivers know the speed limit by using a camera to register the posted limit and displaying that data on the instrument panel.
Active Blind-Spot Detection: Warns drivers when there are vehicles or objects in the vehicle's blind spots.
Active Driving Assistant: Helps prevent collisions by detecting and warning the driver about an imminent forward collision.

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2018 BMW X6 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Off-road

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Technology

Which X6 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 BMW X6 models

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

BMW X6 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2018 X6 Features & Specs

Safety

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