BMW X6 xDrive35i first drive

What is it?

It’s an innovative new way to appal your friends. Just as they recover from you telling them that you’ve bought an X6, you mention it has a 3.0-litre petrol engine with two turbos. Imagine the shame.

What’s it like?

Dynamically it’s good; the ride is fine, and it steers, turns, grips and stops well. It’s well finished inside and the front is spacious, but room is at a premium in the rear. The engine and gearbox combo is very refined. It makes a good noise under acceleration and is quick with it. If you put the stigma to one side, it’s quite impressive.

Should I buy one?

If you must have an X6, you’ve got to do the maths. The 35i isn’t a great deal faster or more refined than a 35d, it emits 42g/km more CO2, falls into the highest VED tax band and only does 25.9mpg (the diesel model manages 34mpg). That said, it's cheaper to buy and its fuel is cheaper, too.

Matt Prior

Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car.

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes.