Steved,I'm with you all the way on this one.Let me share the reason that the X6 will be my next vehicle.First let be clear,I would be all over the X6 regardless of the fact I live where it's built and have many friends and neighbors who work at the plant.The BMW Design Team had my name and picture as example #1 when they thought through this new concept.I am in the commercial real estate land development business and travel approx 20k-25k miles per yr.My most recent cars include a,Cadillac SRX( a big mistake),Infiniti G35x,Audi A4 Avant(quattro),and now an X3.All the cars were good at a few things,but not everything (a compromise) like everything in life.As many miles as I travel,my car becomes my default office on the road.I have several unique needs in a car.1.) I travel w/ some clients and business associates,once every two months,maybe a little more if I have a lot of projects going.So,I need a fair amount of luggage area,mine and anybody traveling w/ me.I also need to carry plats,maps,aerials and files on projects ( our business is still paper intensive).I need a decent size boot (trunk for the yanks ).I also need some ("elbow room") in the interior.My trips are multiday and many miles.When I travel w/ people there is nothing worst than feeling like you are sitting on top of each other ( a problem in both the A4 and G35).We fold open maps,look at files,etc in the car.I need a little interior room.I rarely have the need to carry more than 4 people in the car ( including family).If it's more than 4 people we simply take two cars (both business and family).The 4 seats in the X6 is no problem for me.2.) I do occasionally have the need to offroad and drive out onto real estate sites to inspect.Trust me,I'm not talking about rockcrawling!!!! I do need a reasonable amount of ground clearance in a vehicle.This option was non existent in the A4 or G35.Much better w/ the X3.I also can tell you I replaced the underside plastic engine guard in the A4 twice,due to hitting truck tire carcasses on the interstate traveling 75MPH at night.Nice to have a little ground clearence.I at one time thought I wanted a Range Rover Sport.Reconsidered,don't need no stinking 6k Flying Brick!!!!! 3.) Lastly, and first and foremost, I am a forever high performance car enthusiast I want my cake and eat it to.I want high performance driving dynamics and enough room to live my day to day life w/o feeling like I'm forever cramped .Although I have not driven the X6 yet,it meets ALL of my needs (I'll withhold a full endorsement until I do drive the X6) in just about every way.It has a nice Sports Car look and performance (I hope!!) w/ some of the utility and function of an SUV. I will guess there are enough people like me worldwide for BMW to move 40,000 or so of these a year.Sorry for the long post.Just needed to get this off my chest! Thanks.PalBay