My X6 XDrive35i Review

[MattTheCarNut]

I was bored at work the other day (never a good thing). So, I decided to swing by the BMW dealership to test drive the new X6.

Warning: I try to be objective when sharing my thoughts on new autos. But, my dad has a X6 XDrive50i on order to replace his 2004 Cayenne Turbo, so please take the following with a grain of salt.

Pulling into the dealership in my embarrassingly dirty Boxster (oh, the shame!), the demo X6 XDrive35i immediately caught my eye. It was parked next to a new E70 X5 4.8i. In pictures I was like, “Hmmm, I guess it’s OK. The rear ¾ view is a little bulky, but it’s OK. I love the front.”

In person, the X6 is striking, different, and imposing. The X6 sits much lower than the X5, and the arched roofline combined rear fender flairs gives it a “ready-to-pounce” stance. I didn’t notice this in pictures, but the roofline starts to curve downward immediately after the front seats (think Cayman). Parked next to the X6, the poor X5 looked gigantic, clumsy, less modern (It’s still a beautiful SUV), and, dare I say, pedestrian.

The interior purely X5. This is a good thing. The current X5, luckily, has the best looking current BMW interior. The only differences are additions of knee supports on the middle console and flappy paddles on the steering wheel. The comfort seats have power side bolsters that retract when one turns off the car. Cool! The rear seats are for two only. There is a, sadly, cheap center console with cup holders. The Cayenne Turbo wins in terms of interior richness however.

The salesman wanted to drive first to “show me all the new technologies.” I assured him I was fluent in BMW and knew everything he did about the car and its operation. “But,” he said, “this X6 has this new technology, I forget the name, that shifts power to outside wheels for better handling.” “Yes,” I replied, “Dynamic Performance Control is quite amazing.”

So, I start the beast up and headed out of the dealership. Using the Drive for the Cure route, I headed towards Spicewood Springs. After selecting manual mode and activating the sport button, I gunned it. “It has some nice grunt,” I thought. It’s definitely not the cool sounding V8 in the X5 4.8i, but it’s just as fast. The paddle shifters respond with the same lightning quickness as the 135i Coupe I drove.

I turned left onto the fun part of Spicewood and just knew I was going to be impressed (See, I can’t be objective. I’ve already predetermined I’m going to like it). I downshift to second and floor the throttle just before this gigantic dip in the road. I just like the G-forces. LOL. The first long sweeper is coming up, and, remaining in 3rd gear, I depress the gas mildly throughout the turn. Flat. Flat. Flat. Flat. This gigantic boat stayed FLAT. No body roll at all. I love active anti-roll bars.

The second right-handed sweeper approached. I knew this to be dangerous because there is a mid-corner bump due to tree routes. Colby hates this corner. “Time to test the DSC, xDrive, and DPC all at once,” I thought. Entering the corner faster than I do in my car (remember, Colby hates this corner), the X6 felt the bump (I saw DSC flicker on the dash), but it didn’t lose ANY composure.

And, finally, my favorite corner was coming up. It’s tight (no hiding heft here), banked well, and is uphill. I entered the corner, I thought, a little too hot, and the X6 shoved most of the power to the rear-outside wheel correcting my mistake. I mean, it wouldn’t let me understeer. So strange!

Man, this post is way too long. I’m going to switch to bullet points:

• The X6 drives much smaller than its size. It’s not a Boxster, 135i, or 911, but I drove it just as fast as a 335i in the corners.
• My Dad’s Cayenne Turbo cannot hold a candle to it in terms of driving mannerisms. The steering feel, handling, ride, are all superior. The German hierarchy of steering feel remains intact: Porsche then BMW, then “the others”.
• The suspension is firmer than a new X5 4.8i with sports pkg.
• It has soooo much grip
• Did I mention I’m flabbergasted at how it corners with no body roll?

Yes, the X6 is a strange creation. It has less interior space than a X5 and costs $8,000 more! The majority has NO USE for this car. BMW is marketing it as a coupe. It fills a niche that no one really asked to be filled.

But, consumers will buy this car. They will buy it because (1) it’s the best performing SUVish auto on the market (2) there aren’t any on the road ( I hate pulling up to Colby’s twin at Wholefoods, you know) , and (3) it’s cheap relative to its rival (Price a V8 X6 and a Cayenne GTS to get my point).

And, this is why my dad is ordering a X6 XDrive50i over a Cayenne GTS.

[Boston X5 4.4]

Nice review - thanks

[LeMansX5]

Cayenne customers is certainly BMW is targeting with X6.

X6 also has leather on dash. The power side bolsters are not new to X6. They are on new 5-series and 6-series as well.

Good review. Thanks.

[palbay]

MattTheCarNut, Very nice writeup.Thanks for posting it up! PalBay

[amh]

good review.

I drove it again today for a much longer period on all kinds of roads. Other than the backing up/visibility issue, it's a blast. Decided to order it in white and keep the 335 coupe for awhile since it gets decent gas mileage.

Question for those who may know. I really liked the alcantara sport seats, they just seemed softer and more comfortable. The comfort seats do not seem to have adjustable side bolsters per the CA. However, I really didn't want a black interior-too dark. Any advice?

[LeMansX5]

Moved the X6 vs. Cayenne discussion to new thread so as not to hijack this thread.