2022 BMW X6

Pros: High-quality interior trim; smooth, powerful drivetrains; comfortable ride

Cons: Price premium over more-practical X5; sloped roofline compromises cargo capacity and intrudes slightly on rear-seat headroom

CG Says: The 2022 BMW X6 line drops the rear-wheel-drive version of the base 40i. All X6s are now all-wheel drive. Some standard and optional equipment has been shuffled, but the X6 is otherwise unchanged. The BMW X6 is a sloped-roof “fastback” version of BMW’s midsize X5 SUV. The X6 was redesigned for 2020, following in the footsteps of its X5 sibling, which was redesigned for 2019. The X6’s base engine is a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system in the 40i. The M50i has a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. Topping the line is the high-performance X6 M, which is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that develops 600 hp—or 617 hp with the Competition Package. BMW says the Competition accelerates 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and, properly equipped, can reach 177 mph. All X6 engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Unusual features include an illuminated grille; heated/cooled cupholders; 4-wheel steering; and Sky Lounge, a panoramic glass roof with 15,000 illuminated points to mimic a starlit sky. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. An available Driving Assistant Professional package includes lane-keep assist; Active Side-Collision protection; and Extended Traffic Jam Assist, which provides partially automated driving support on limited-access highways. The X6 trades rear-passenger space and cargo room for style and costs more than the X5 to boot. For those who like the X6’s fastback style and don’t need the room, the X6 makes sense. However, most will be better served by the X5.