2022 BMW X6 M Review: The Family Man's Hyperloop

The BMW X6 M is a high-performance midsize luxury crossover that manages to excel at being a practical daily driver, as well as a raging lunatic on backroads. Powering this bold Bimmer is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 600 horsepower and an astounding 553 lb-ft of torque - or 617 hp with the Competition Package. Power is sent to all fours via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the X6 M will sprint to sixty in only 3.8 seconds. The X6 M is a fantastic car for driving fast on public roads, but not much else. It handles with relative poise and makes for a comfortable long-distance cruiser, but don't try to take it off-road. On a track, it is held back by its sheer weight and uncommunicative steering. However, it offers a brilliant interior rich with all the latest tech and a usable amount of trunk space. This mega SUV has a base price of $109,400, and with rivals such as the Audi RS Q8 and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, the BMW X6 M has its work cut out for it.

2022 X6 M Exterior

Dimensions

2022 X6 M Performance

2022 BMW X6 M Handling and Driving Impressions

Adaptive adjustability is the name of the game here. BMW doesn't care that the X6 M will never be a track hooligan; it still offers owners the ability to adjust every inch of the chassis for the ultimate driving experience. The X6 M features M Drive with M Dynamic mode, an M chassis and suspension system, M-tuned electric power steering, adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, rear-axle air suspension, and active roll stabilization. What this translates to is an SUV that comes significantly closer to handling like a sports sedan than its size dictates. Fiddle with the damper controls and two-mode steering settings, and you can turn the X6 M from a gentle cruiser into a taught racer in seconds. Around town, the X6 M feels relaxed enough and is a capable cruiser with enough refinement to compete with the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. Throw it around a corner, and its weight becomes apparent: it displays some body shift when turning in with enthusiasm, and likes to dive under hard braking, but there are immense levels of grip on offer, so driving fast is an easy task. Our review showed that the steering doesn't give as much feedback as one would like, but offers a nicely weighted feel in sports mode. The massive six-piston front brakes do a sterling job of bringing the X6 M to a halt, but watch out for the sports brake setting on the street as it can get touchy.

2022 X6 M Interior

2022 X6 M Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2022 BMW X6 M A Good SUV?

The BMW X6 M forms part of a new breed of car that attempts to package all the good on offer from the world of sports cars and SUVs into one car, with a strong focus on going really, really fast. This SUV is truly a hoon machine that loves to be driven hard in a straight line. It's basically a modern muscle car with added room for groceries and luggage. BMW has hit the nail on the head here, offering a vehicle that has sleek coupe-like styling, a comfortable and luxurious interior, a powerhouse of an engine, and respectable driving dynamics. The 4.4-liter turbocharged engine under the X6 M hood is an absolute riot and makes this SUV faster than it should ever have been. For that, we love it. The rest of the package is surprisingly practical. There's enough space for five, a decent amount of cargo space, a tremendous amount of technology, and a relaxed ride that will keep most comfortable for miles on end. Some drawbacks include limited rear vision and a gas bill that will send Prius drivers to an early grave. These are small issues that can be easily overlooked.

2022 BMW X6 M Comparisons

2022 BMW X6 M vs Audi RS Q8

The RS Q8 represents Audi's first foray into the world of high-performance SUVs, and it is off to a good start, as it shares its power plant with the mighty Lamborghini Urus. Under the hood of the RS Q8 lies a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission. The RS Q8 will sprint to sixty in only 3.7 seconds, making it quicker than the standard X6 M by a whisker. The Audi will top out at 190 mph if you go with the carbon-ceramic brake package. On the road, the Audi with its standard adaptive air suspension soaks up road imperfections, but tightens up nicely in sport mode, and feels arguably more interactive to drive. The interior of the RS Q8 is typically Audi: it's not the most dramatic, but it's exceptionally well built and comfortable, and as with the BMW, it offers adequate interior space in the front, but not so much in the rear. If you're after trunk space, the Audi is the way to go and offers 30.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The Audi is more understated and offers blistering performance. We'll have the RS Q8.

2022 BMW X6 M vs Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe

Mercedes-AMG was never going to allow BMW to get away with the X6 M without a fight, and the response is the GLE 63 S Coupe, a magnificently fast beast of a coupe-SUV that will take your breath away with its straight-line performance and opulent interior. The GLE 63 S Coupe is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 connected to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and produces 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The Merc will sprint to sixty in 3.7 seconds, beating the standard X6 M by just a tenth of a second. Top speed is 174 mph. On the road, the GLE 63 S' AMG Active Ride Control + suspension improves ride stability and comfort, and in Sport Plus mode, it sticks to the road gamely, but the BMW feels tighter. On the inside, this Merc blows the Bimmer out of the water with its more adventurous interior design, while quality in both is exceptional. The sloping roofline limits headroom in the back and back seat passenger space is just as limited. The BMW offers more cargo space, and both offer a plethora of modern tech, but the BMW offers a better infotainment experience. If you're after a more opulent driving experience, get the GLE 63 S.