Used 2021 BMW X6

The 2021 BMW X6 is a premium midsize SUV/crossover with a twist. Well, a slope. This is the fastback version of the incredibly popular and superb X5. A couple of typical SUV attributes for which the X5 is rightly appreciated are missing here: generous rear passenger and cargo space. But then the X5 doesn’t have that stylish X6 profile that slinks its way down to the tail.

However, there are plenty of other SUV traits on the menu, like a raised driving position, all-wheel drive, and that feeling of invincibility. The 2021 X6 also has some special BMW engineering and driving magic. Especially the 600-horsepower (617 with the Competition Package) 2021 X6 M, the fruit of BMW’s mad-genius M division.

Now in the second year of its third generation, having started the whole “SUV coupe” thing, the BMW X6 lives in a rarefied world populated by the Audi Q8, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Maserati Levante, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe, and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. The good news is that the 2021 X6 is one of the most affordable contenders.

Feeling sportier behind the wheel than its X5 relation, thanks in part to superior weight distribution, this latest X6 doesn’t feel ponderous.

Although the 40i models are great, the M50i is particularly gratifying to drive, with robust acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport or Sport+ driving modes. These modes stiffen the suspension, tighten the steering and sharpen throttle response. To match the EPA’s fuel economy numbers, choose the Eco mode, which also transforms the X6 into a calmer and more relaxed luxury SUV.

Nothing that weighs 5,225 pounds should grip the road the way the 2021 X6 M can, or take corners with such speed and stability. But that’s what it does.

Behind the wheel, it feels really big and really fast. But definitely not like a sports car, despite the engine’s ability to mimic a muscle car down the straights (standstill to 60 mph in a breathtaking 3.8 seconds with the Competition setup) and the suspension’s ability to match a sports car’s agility through corners.

One of the downsides of so much grip, though, is that even at its most compliant suspension setting, the X6 M rides quite hard. Expansion joints and sharp bumps jostle all the way up to the seat and steering wheel.

The steering, suspension, throttle, braking, and other aspects of the X6 M’s dynamics are all adjustable. But that tech can’t make things any more comfortable.

The 2021 X6’s interior is awash in quality materials. Luxury blends with technology in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Controls and displays are oriented toward the driver, with minimalistic switchgear. The iDrive touch-screen infotainment system is integrated cleanly and within easy reach.

As cool as the digital instrumentation is, the bar-graph rev counter and speedometer tend to look like they came from a video game. Climate controls have hard buttons for the routing of the ventilation, but fan speed, temperature, and air conditioning engagement have small and low-contrast markings that are not easily legible at a glance.

BMW uses a slightly fussy gear selector that takes some fiddling to operate quickly and some time for it to become second nature. The X6’s fastback design also results in compromised rear three-quarter vision. Although the standard blind-spot monitoring system does compensate.

Five people can fit into the X6, but four will be happier. This SUV has less rear passenger space than the X5. And a smaller cargo volume, with 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.6 cubic feet when those 40/20/40 split/folding seats are down.

All versions of the 2021 X6 have an enormous grille. And the entire thing can be illuminated. It flashes to confirm remote locking and unlocking functions, and the driver can activate it in conjunction with the daytime running lights. It does not work at night when using the standard adaptive LED headlights, however.

In sDrive40i and xDrive40i guise, the X6 has a generous 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The X6 M50i is even better, with 8.5 inches. Good to know when plenty of snow has settled. Both of these versions run on 20-inch alloy wheels.

The xLine exterior treatment has plenty of pearl-effect chrome exterior trim and rugged lower styling elements. The M Sport treatment has a more assertive look with body-colored trim and blue brake calipers. This year, Phytonic Blue Metallic replaces Riverside Blue Metallic.

The X6 M amps up the sportiness with bigger double grilles up front, side sill extensions, 21-inch alloy wheels (substitute 22-inch alloy wheels at the back with the Competition package), and quad exhaust outlets.

The X6’s “style over practicality” approach extends to the tailgate, which is a large one-piece unit that does not open to the floor like the two-piece counterpart of the X5. And owners will have to lift items over a ridge.

PANORAMIC SKY LOUNGE LIGHTING
As part of the optional Executive package, this feature transforms the X6’s standard panoramic glass roof into a display simulating the look of a starlit sky. It works at night (of course), with 15,000 points of light in a choice of six different colors.

BOWERS & WILKINS DIAMOND SURROUND-SOUND SYSTEM
The optional 20-speaker/1,500-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround-sound system delivers earth-shaking bass and sparkling highs. It’s expensive ($3,400), but one of the best in any vehicle.

Yes, the BMW X6 is more expensive than its almost-identical X5 twin, but that’s justified somewhat by a generous amount of standard equipment. This includes a panoramic moonroof, puddle lamps, leather upholstery, heated/16-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, powered tailgate, and a 12.3-inch digital driver information display.

Several advanced driving assistance systems are also standard, such as forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front/rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams.

Every 2021 X6 comes with BMW’s latest system, called iDrive 7. It has haptic controls, voice controls, satellite radio, navigation, cloud-based BMW Connected services, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 12.3-inch touch screen.

Upgrading to a 2021 X6 M50i brings an M Sport aerodynamic body kit, darkened Shadowline trim, plus M Sport-tuned brakes, suspension, exhaust, and drivetrain components. The M50i also receives heated/ventilated/20-way power-adjustable multi-contour front seats, remote start, quad-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging, Wi-Fi, and a 16-speaker/464-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

This model is eligible for a Dynamic Handling package adding an adaptive M suspension, active roll stabilization, and rear-wheel steering.

The 2021 X6 M has an M-tuned adaptive suspension, M Sport differential, variable-ratio steering, carbon-fiber interior trim, M-specific instrument cluster, a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, and a self-parking feature.

Some packages are optional with every 2021 X6. For example, the Driving Assistance Professional package adds adaptive cruise control with stop/go, automatic lane changing, lane-keeping assistance with Active Side Collision Protection, front cross-traffic alert, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant with Steering (works at speeds up to 40 mph), and Evasion Assistant steering support technology with pedestrian detection.

And some options have been discontinued for 2021 — like the rear-seat entertainment system, acoustic glass, and the night vision feature — or are only now available as part of the Executive package. These include glass controls, heated/cooled cupholders, and soft-closing doors.

Gesture control, which enables hand movements to change infotainment settings, is standard in the X6 M, optional elsewhere. The Parking Assistance package (standard in the X6 M) gains the Drive Recorder. And where they’re not fitted as standard, M Sport brakes with red calipers are now available as an individual option.

The costliest option for the X6 M is the $9,000 Competition package, which comes with greater horsepower, M Sport exhaust system, 21-inch front wheels, 22-inch rear wheels, and M seat belts.

Other options (or standard equipment in the more expensive versions) include heated rear seats, heated steering/front armrests, rear window shades, a trailer hitch, and Icon Adaptive LED lights with “Laserlight” technology.

Even the least expensive 2021 X6 has an engine that’s recognized as a BMW specialty, an inline-6. This 3.0-liter example goes in the 40i models and is turbocharged to produce 335 horsepower. The 2021 model year sees the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

It doesn’t add more output nor reduce fuel consumption. But one of its main jobs is to power the engine stop/restart function, which should make that operation much smoother.

The sDrive40i deploys rear-wheel drive (RWD), the xDrive40i has all-wheel drive (AWD). And every X6 has an 8-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles mounted beneath the steering wheel, plus launch control.

The M50i has a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 generating 523 horsepower, along with all-wheel drive as standard. And the X6 M takes that engine, receives whatever reinforcing BMW’s M tuning division decides is necessary, and raises the game to 600 horsepower, or 617 with the optional Competition package. This engine makes great power at any speed and lays down a motorsports soundtrack smaller engines can’t, but can also drop to a murmur at slow and neighbor-friendly speeds.

The V8 engines also have a stop/restart function. It can be turned disabled, as the action can seem abrupt. But given the X6 M’s thirst, a little fuel saving is no bad thing.

The 2021 X6 can tow up to 7,200 pounds.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (40i models)
335 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/26 mpg (sDrive40i), 21/25 mpg (xDrive40i)

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (M50i)
523 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (X6 M)
600 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
617 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (Competition package)
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg