2020 BMW X6: Pamper Your Rugged Self with This One!

This luxury car is technically an SUV, as it is based on the BMW X5.

Bavarian Motor Works had great, somewhat unexpected success with the late-entry X5 so many moons ago that they decided to make a somewhat smaller, more sedan-like SUV and simply call it the X6, and it proved to be a hit.  Over the generations, it has had several refinements and has gotten better, meaning it is a lot more refined and silkier to drive.  Indeed, this was a fun car to drive, available in either Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

Starting at $64,300, the luxury is evident at every turn. There are three trims, with the first two offering a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo engine that offers 335 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, which is up considerably from last year. I found it to be quite the performer in the deep snow of Colorado as well as the dry highways once the sun started to shine. Sport, Eco and Comfort modes, as well as plain ol’ driving mode, are available at your command.

At this level of luxury, it seems rather quaint to talk about Standard creature Features, but there are quite a few, to include a 12.3-inch infotainment screen (that’s huge!), keyless entry, push-button start, lane departure warning, active blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights. To name a few.

You name it, you can get it with BMW (for the most part) and sometimes it will cost you extra, like a Harman Kardon surround sound system or remote engine start.  And sometimes it’s included in the price you pay, like a push-of-a-button full-length moonroof. Many of these items come in add-on packages, aptly named the Premium and the Executive Package.

The top-line trim is the M50i, which is distinguished by its 4.4-liter V8 engine that offers 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. This is truly a high-performance vehicle that starts at $85,650 and can still have all kinds of luxury appointments added to it should you desire.  No need to go slummin’ just because you are sitting at the top of line.

All trims of the X6 are meant to be sporty – in a luxurious way, of course.  I didn’t take my loaner on the racetrack, so I can’t tell you how it handles, but for those of you who like to race on the highway and imagine you are Steve McQueen in  Bullitt  or some other high-end or high-falutin’ driver, you’ll be impressed with how you feel in the X6 and all its incarnations for the new decade.

There are a few downsides of note, buy not many.  While the sloping roofline makes the X6 looks sleek and elegant, it does indeed cut into rear passenger room.  That also means that rear cargo space is a bit pinched as well, though I can’t imagine a whole lot of people using the X6 for weekend chores, no matter how classy the yard sale may be. Once again here, caution is advised.

Indeed, the X6, when introduced by BMW, was an instant hit and suddenly became a standard bearer to be emulated.  That said, some of its other luxury competitors may have offerings that are more suitable for your needs, no matter how much you drip with Ermines and Pearls, to take a line from the old classic song  The Lady is a Tramp.

Thusly, do your homework.  Or have your staff do your homework.  Or just go from dealer to dealer and take them all for a drive.  Truly, that’s the best way to see which one fits the best and to truly know which one will meet your needs.

It’s also really the only way to find the love of your life, one that will last for the next few years.

Well, that’s been my experience!