Used 2023 BMW X6

Although the 2023 BMW X6 is based on the extremely popular X5 (reviewed separately), it exists for a different reason. It’s more of a heart purchase than a head purchase. The lower half says “SUV” with the raised ride height and all-wheel drive. The upper half says “non-conformist” through its fastback roof. And the engine bay might even say “thrill seeker.”

It’s not going to be perfect transport for most typical well-off families, but the BMW X6 has a distinct, offbeat appeal among midsize luxury SUVs, and it gets the added appeal of that BMW badge on the hood.

One of the main reasons for buying any BMW, even a midsize SUV like the 2023 X6, is the thrill of driving. From the engines to the suspension, there’s a keenness to the responses, a feeling of control, and a ton of fun when the roads are clear.

The turbocharged 6-cylinder engine in the xDrive40i is smooth and muscular, with maximum thrust available over most of the rev counter. And things just take off from there. Both the M50i and the X6 M have twin-turbocharged V8 engines that make more power than any reasonable person needs. Sometimes being unreasonable is fantastic.

Every BMW M vehicle is a peak experience. Forget about little trivialities like weight and centers of gravity, the 2023 X6 M high-performance SUV can blaze around a track as well as many sports cars.

On a more mundane note, rear three-quarter vision is not great. So it’s a good thing that standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors at both ends.

Inner changes to the 2023 X6 luxury SUV include an upgraded simulated leather, which is now standard in the xDrive40i and M50i. The company’s name for it is Sensafin, replacing SensaTec. Also, you can no longer get Vernasca leather, but the plusher Merino leather remains available.

Generally speaking, the X6’s cabin has all the usual BMW interior design cues, with plenty of soft-touch plastics and a suitably luxurious level of fit and finish. Technology has a strong presence thanks to a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital driver information display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen — both are standard.

One difference this year, though, is the discontinuation of gesture control for the infotainment system in the optional Premium or Executive packages.

In theory, the X6 SUV is a 5-seater. But, like virtually every other vehicle, the center rear seat is best left unoccupied. Rear legroom is 35.7 inches, rear headroom is 37.5 inches, and the cargo area goes from 27.4 to 59.6 cubic feet once the 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats are down. Not as much as the X5, but that’s missing the point of the X6. And anyway, there’s still a decent amount of passenger and luggage space.

It’s irrelevant to gripe about a compromised cargo area and reduced rear passenger space compared with the more conventional X5 SUV, which forms the foundation for this luxury SUV. The X6 is what it is. If that doesn’t work for some buyers, they can take half a dozen steps across the BMW dealership and check out the X5.

The X6 did take some getting used to, though. It was among the first of the sloped-roof SUVs, which eventually led to rivals like the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe. This kind of vehicle is now a class.

The one change regarding the exterior of the 2023 X6 is the end of the line for Arctic Grey Metallic paint. The 40i and 50i versions run on 20-inch alloy wheels, and the 2023 X6 M and X6 M Competition have 21-inch alloys.

ADAPTIVE M SUSPENSION
Not that the 2023 X6 xDrive40i doesn’t drive a well-judged line between suppleness and sportiness, it’s just that this adaptive suspension — standard in the M50i — stretches the envelope in both directions. All at the push of a button. The Professional option brings active anti-roll bars to control body movement.

BOWERS & WILKINS SURROUND-SOUND SYSTEM
Working on the assumption that anyone considering a new X6 SUV in either the M50i or X6 M forms can probably afford an extra $3,400 and appreciates the finer things in life, then this Bowers & Wilkins system is aural nirvana.

Apart from upgraded simulated leather upholstery, there are no changes to standard equipment in the 2023 X6 luxury SUV. The xDrive40i model comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive full LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors (with tilt-down action on the passenger side), front/rear parking sensors, panoramic moonroof, keyless entry/ignition, heated/power-adjustable front seats, power-adjustable/leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a self-dimming rearview mirror.

As well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, navigation, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and a 10-speaker/205-watt audio system.

Driver assistance features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The M50i brings an adaptive M suspension, plus M Sport brakes/differential/exhaust system, multi-contour front seats, 4-zone climate control, Wi-Fi, wireless charging, satellite radio, and a 16-speaker/464-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

The 2023 X6 M is undoubtedly a performance machine, but it also has luxury features like Merino leather upholstery, heated steering wheel/front armrests, head-up display, and ambient cabin lighting.

There are some changes to the options available in the 2023 X6. The xDrive40i’s M Sport package (adding most of those extras that come as standard in the M50i) no longer includes leather upholstery.

The Premium and Executive packages have ditched gesture control, but the Premium adds wireless charging. This latter bundle still contains remote start and a head-up display — which can be an individual option in the xDrive 40i.

Both the 40i and 50i qualify for the Executive package (with Laserlight LED headlights, glass controls, a panoramic sky lounge LED roof), and a Parking Assistance package (including a 360-degree camera system). They can also come with larger alloy wheels and massaging front seats.

The M50i is eligible for a Dynamic Handling package that brings a more sophisticated adaptive suspension with active roll stabilization and rear-wheel steering for extra agility. Plus a Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system.

The X6 M has its own Executive package, adding soft-closing doors, heated/ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats. You can also get the Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system.

The Competition package for the X6 M boosts horsepower and brings staggered-size alloy wheels (21-inch up front, 22-inch at the back), plus Merino leather/simulated suede upholstery. M Compound brakes with red or black brake calipers are on the options list as well.

All versions of the 2023 X6 are eligible for a Driving Assistance Professional package with adaptive cruise control, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, evasive steering assistance, side collision avoidance, and front cross-traffic alert.

If any potential buyers of a new X6 SUV wanted to stick with the xDrive40i and its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, we wouldn’t try to talk them out of it. This unit makes a perfectly punchy 355 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque.

A 48-volt mild-hybrid system contributes to achieving maximum output with optimum efficiency and makes the fuel-saving stop/restart feature tolerably smooth.

Since the X6 is one of the more extravagant vehicle choices, though, the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 in the 2023 X6 M50i is hard to pass up. It puts 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque under the driver’s right foot.

For the out-and-out enthusiasts, the X6 M takes that V8 and boosts it to develop 600 horsepower. Or 617 horsepower with the optional X6 M Competition package. Torque remains the same as the M50i, which is unarguably hefty enough.

All-wheel drive is standard in every X6, and every model gets an 8-speed automatic transmission. The X6 M’s hardware delivers the sportiest drive possible.

Premium gasoline is required. These fuel economy estimates supplied by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are from 2022, but we don’t anticipate any changes for 2023.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 w/mild-hybrid assistance (xDrive40i)
335 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/25 mpg

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/X6 M Competition)
600 horsepower/617 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,690 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg