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BMW X6M 2020 review: Competition

Powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, the X6 M Competition belts out 460kW/750Nm.
EXPERT RATING
8.1
Wrapping bonkers performance and head-turning styling into a large SUV package, is the BMW X6 M Competition more at home as a track-day star or daily grocery getter?

The BMW X6 has long been the ugly duckling of the Bavarian brand’s SUV family, often cited as the genesis of the swoopy, coupe crossover trend.

But look back at its 12-year history, and it's clear that the X6 has resonated with buyers around the world with more than 400,000 units produced.

Now in its third-generation form, the X6 has shed the awkward and even sometimes dorky image of its progenitor and evolved into a much more mature and confident model.

Crowing the new line-up, however, is the flagship M Competition grade that shoehorns a sporty V8 petrol engine to match the bulky and brawny exterior.

Is this a recipe for success, or should BMW go back to the drawing board?

BMW X Models 2020: X6 M Competition
Safety rating
Engine Type4.4L turbo
Fuel TypePremium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency12.5L/100km
Seating5 seats
Price from$174,350

Is there anything interesting about its design?   8/10

The X6 has long been a love-it-or-hate-it model for BMW, and in it’s latest third-generation form, the styling is as polarising as ever.

Maybe it’s the fact that more coupe-like SUVs have hit the market since the original X6's debut, or that we’ve had time to get used to the idea, but the latest X6 looks … good?

OK, we’re as surprised as anyone, but, especially in this top-spec M Competition form, the athletic proportions, heavily sloped roofline and chunky bodywork don’t look all that awkward or unattractive.

The X6 has long been a love-it-or-hate-it model for BMW. The X6 has long been a love-it-or-hate-it model for BMW.

What also helps set the X6 M Competition apart, is its sports body kit, fender vents, aerodynamically optimised side mirrors, arch-filling wheels and black highlights befitting the performance-honed flagship variant.

It certainly stands out from the usual SUV crowd and, with a volcano of an engine tucked underneath the sculpted bonnet, the X6 M Competition is not a case of all show and no go.

You could argue that the X6 M Competition’s exterior styling is a bit ostentatious and over the top, but what would you expect a large, luxury, performance SUV to look like?

Step inside the cabin and the interior balances the sporty and luxury elements almost perfectly.

The seating position is spot-on thanks to heaps of adjustability in the driver’s chair and the steering wheel. The seating position is spot-on thanks to heaps of adjustability in the driver’s chair and the steering wheel.

The front sports seats are clad in soft Marino leather with hexagonal quilting, carbon-fibre detailing is peppered throughout the dashboard and centre console, and small touches, such as the red start button and M toggles, elevate the X6 M competition from its more standard siblings.

Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?   8/10

The BMW X6 Competition wears a $213,900 before on-road costs pricetag, just $4000 more expensive than its more conventionally styled X5 twin.

While a $200,000-plus pricetag is certainly not chump change, things start to look a bit better when stacking up the X6 M Competition against other models that share the same engine and platform.

Take the M5 Competition for example, a large sedan that costs $234,900, but shares much of the same running gear as the X6.

Also, consider that the X6 is an SUV, making it more appealing to those looking for a higher ride height and more practical storage options.

As standard, the X6 M Compettition is fitted with four-zone climate control, soft-close doors, automatic tailgate, electric front seat adjustment, heated front seats, Harman Kardon sound system, panoramic glass sunroof, adjustable exhaust, keyless entry and push-button start.

For the instrument panel, BMW has fitted its 12.3-inch screen, while the multimedia system is a 12.3-inch touchscreen unit with support for Apple CarPlay, gesture controls, digital radio and wireless smartphone charging.

The multimedia system is a 12.3-inch touchscreen unit. The multimedia system is a 12.3-inch touchscreen unit.

However, it’s the attention to detail that we appreciate in a luxury SUV like this.

Take, for example, the spare tyre, which is stored under the floor of the boot. In any other car where this happens, you would just have to lift up the floor and then struggle to take the tyre out as you fight to prop up the floor. Not in the X6 – the floor panel has a gas strut to keep it from dropping when it's lifted. Clever!

Under the boot floor is the spare tyre. Under the boot floor is the spare tyre.

The front cupholders are also fitted with heating and cooling functionality, both of which have two settings.

Befitting an M model, the X6 M Competition also scores an active differential, sports exhaust, adaptive suspension, uprated brakes to go with its potent engine.

Of note, there is no cooling option for the seats and the steering wheel misses out on a heating element.

However, the metallic paintwork and carbon-fibre interior flourishes as seen on our test car are no-cost options.

How practical is the space inside?   8/10

Measuring 4941mm long, 2019mm wide, 1692mm tall and with a 2972mm wheelbase, the X6 M Competition offers plenty of interior space occupants.

There is front-seat space aplenty for passengers, despite sports seats that hug and support in all the right places, while the rear seats are also surprisingly functional.

The front sports seats are clad in soft Marino leather with hexagonal quilting. The front sports seats are clad in soft Marino leather with hexagonal quilting.

Even with my six-foot-tall frame positioned behind the driver’s seat set for my height, I still comfortably fit and had enough leg- and shoulder-room.

The sloping roofline however, doesn’t help the headroom situation with my head just grazing the Alcantara headliner.

It’s a different story for the middle seat though, which will only fit children due to the raised floor and seating positioning.

All in all, I'm actually surprised at how usable the rear-seat room is in the X6 M Competition – it's definitely more practical than the stylish exterior would suggest.

The sloping roofline affects headroom for rear passengers. The sloping roofline affects headroom for rear passengers.

Storage options abound throughout the cabin as well, with a huge storage bin found in each door that is easily able to accommodate large drink bottles.

The central storage bin is also deep and cavernous, but it can be a bit difficult to retrieve your phone from the wireless phone charger there as it's tucked away under the shutter.

The 580-litre boot can expand to 1539L with the rear seats folded.

While that figure doesn’t quite match the 650L/1870L figure of its X5 twin, it's still more than enough space to take care of the weekly shopping and family stroller.

  • With the rear seats in place boot space is rated at 580-litres. With the rear seats in place boot space is rated at 580-litres.
  • Fold the rear seats down and cargo capacity grows to 1539L. Fold the rear seats down and cargo capacity grows to 1539L.

What are the key stats for the engine and transmission?   9/10

The X6 M Competition is powered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine, outputting 460kW/750Nm, which is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Drive is sent to the road via a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which enables a zero-to-100km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds. The X6 tips the scales at 2295kg, so this level of acceleration almost defies the laws of physics.

The engine is shared with the X5 M Competition, M5 Competition and M8 Competition.

The 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine makes an impressive 460kW/750Nm. The 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine makes an impressive 460kW/750Nm.

The X6 M Competition also outpowers its Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe rival by 30kW, though the Affalaterbach SUV produces 10Nm more torque.

However, it is important to note that the current Mercedes uses the older 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, and is due to be replaced with a new GLE 63 S model that switches to AMG’s ubiquitous 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for 450kW/850Nm.

Audi’s RS Q8 is also incoming later this year, and packs a 441kW/800Nm punch thanks to a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8.

How much fuel does it consume?   7/10

Official fuel consumption figures in the X6 M Competition are pegged at 12.5 litres per 100km, however, we managed 14.6L/100km in a morning drive covering almost 200km.

No doubt the hefty weight and big petrol V8 engine contribute to the higher fuel bill, but the start/stop engine technology helps keep the figure down.

What's it like to drive?   9/10

With such a large footprint, you just don’t expect the X6 M Competition to drive as well as it does, but it’s great to have your expectations checked every now and again.

The seating position is spot-on thanks to heaps of adjustability in the driver’s chair and the steering wheel, while visibility (even out the small rear window) is excellent.

All the controls fall easily in hand, and if you just left the X6 to its own devices, the sporty elements almost fade away into the background.

Dive into the drive settings, however, and you will notice Sport and Sport Plus options for the engine and chassis, while the steering, brake and M xDrive settings can also be dialled up a notch.

There isn’t a ‘set-and-forget’ drive mode switch though, as each of the aforementioned elements can be adjusted individually to dial in the exact response you want from the car.

The X6 M Competition certainly stands out from the usual SUV crowd. The X6 M Competition certainly stands out from the usual SUV crowd.

Even the transmission has its own independent setting, with shifts in manual or automatic mode able to be tweaked to three levels of intensity each, while the exhaust also has an option for loud or less loud.

We love the flexibility this affords, and opens up the possibility of having the engine on full attack mode while the suspension and transmission are on the comfort settings, but it does require some time sitting in the driver’s seat and tweaking this and that to get things right.

Once you work it out though, you can store these settings in M1 or M2 modes, which can be switched on with the push of a button on the steering wheel.

With everything switched to the sportiest options, the X6 M Competition is much more akin to a rapid hot hatch attacking corners and devouring the open road than its high-riding SUV body style would suggest.

Credit where it’s due, BMW’s M boffins know a thing or two about building a big barnstorming bruiser.

Fitted with gigantic 315/30 rear and 295/35 front Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, the X6 M Competition benefits from superglue-like levels of grip in most situations, but a stab of throttle can still overwhelm the rear axle mid-corner.

The X6 M Competition wears 21-inch alloy wheels. The X6 M Competition wears 21-inch alloy wheels.

Pulling up is a non-issue in the two-tonne-plus SUV, thanks to M Compound Brakes with six-piston fronts grabbing 395mm discs, and single-piston rears biting 380mm discs.

When you're not putting the boot in, the X6 M Competition also doubles as a convincing luxury runabout, but even in the chassis’ most comfort-orientated setting, road imperfections and high-speed bumps transmit directly through to the occupants.

Warranty & Safety Rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited km warranty

ANCAP Safety Rating

ANCAP logo

What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?   9/10

The BMW X6 has not been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP and does not have a crash rating.

However, the mechanically related X5 large SUV scored a maximum five stars when tested in 2018, notching 89 and 87 per cent for the adult- and child-occupant protection tests respectively.

Safety equipment fitted to the X6 M Competition includes a surround-view monitor, tyre pressure and temperature monitor, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, reversion camera, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and built-in dash cam.

In terms of safety gear, there really isn’t much left on the table for the X6 M Competition to pack in, though it does lose a point for not having a crash-safety rating.

In its favour though is the fact its onboard technology works unobtrusively and the adaptive cruise control is one of the smoothest and easy-to-use systems I've experienced.

What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?   7/10

Like all new BMWs, the X6 M Competition comes with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with three years roadside assist and 12 years of anti-corrosion assurance.

Scheduled service intervals are pegged at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

BMW offers two five-year/80,000km service plans with the X6 M Competition, a basic option for $4134 and a Plus for $11,188, with the later including the replacement of brake pads, clutch and wiper blades.

Though pricey to maintain, it’s not unexpected for a vehicle at this price point.

What we like to see though, is BMW match Mercedes’ pledge for a five-year warranty across its range, including high-performance AMG models.

Verdict

SUVs are so hot right now, and BMW’s X6 M Competition is the hottest high-riding coupe you can get until its German rivals bring in their high-powered equivalents.

In a lot of ways, the X6 M Competition is one of the most BMW-iest models available today; it's covered head to toe in luxurious features, its performance puts most sports cars to shame and it oozes a don’t-care-what-you-think swagger.

What more could you want from a modern BMW? Maybe high safety standards and a practical interior space? The X6 M Competition has those too.

Sure, you could go for the slightly cheaper and more conventionally styled X5 M Competition, but if you are spending more than $200,000 on a performance SUV, don’t you want to stand out from the crowd? And stand out the X6 M Competition certainly does.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

Pricing guides

$64,800
Based on 201 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$27,900
Highest Price
$164,900

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
X2 Xdrive20D M Sport 2.0L, Diesel, 8 SP AUTO $56,100 – 64,460 2020 BMW X Models 2020 X2 Xdrive20D M Sport Pricing and Specs
X2 Sdrive18I M Sport 1.5L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $46,640 – 54,230 2020 BMW X Models 2020 X2 Sdrive18I M Sport Pricing and Specs
X2 Sdrive18I 1.5L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $43,560 – 50,600 2020 BMW X Models 2020 X2 Sdrive18I Pricing and Specs
X2 Xdrive20D M Sport X 2.0L, Diesel, 8 SP $56,100 – 64,460 2020 BMW X Models 2020 X2 Xdrive20D M Sport X Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
8.1
Design8
Price and features8
Practicality8
Under the bonnet9
Efficiency7
Driving9
Safety9
Ownership7
Tung Nguyen
News Editor

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