Published:
1 February 2024BMW’s efforts to give the X6 a more luxurious air are obvious the moment you step up into it. The quality of the interior and level of standard equipment (not least its long list of electronic driving aids) is well beyond that of earlier models.
The driving position is also a little less upright and more genuinely coupé-like than before, in keeping with moves the BMW says are aimed at providing the X6 with its own individual character separate from that of the X5.
All X6s are now equipped with the brand’s eighth-generation iDrive system, comprising a 12.3in digital instrument display and a curved 14.9in touchscreen infotainment system.
It’s a very impressive place to sit, with comfortable seats and screens in every direction and well-integrated, easy-to-access buttons and rotary dials. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included, which pair nicely with the wireless smartphone charging pad.
Seating remains restricted to five, unlike in the X5, but those in the second row benefit from added leg and shoulder room compared with the old X6. Most people will be comfortable, but those over 6ft 2in tall will be tight to the ceiling.
Indeed, the X6 still isn’t as practical as the roomier X5, and the sloping roofline slashes boot space from 650 to 580 litres – less than in the GLE Coupé (655 litres) and the Audi Q8 (605 litres). It does increase to 1530 litres with the 40/20/20-split seats folded down, though.
The X6 offers decent levels of storage too, with large door bins for water bottles, a big central storage box and two ventilated cupholders up front.
