I recently discovered that I was the subject of some rather heated discussion on our YouTube channel. The video in question was a review of the updated BMW X7 M60. Despite the video's title being "I've fallen in love with an SUV" and repeated claims of affection throughout my review, it was my opening statement about SUVs that caused some controversy and upset.

Quote: "Can we talk about SUV's for a minute? They are, in my opinion, mostly pointless things. They are pointlessly oversized, overpriced and often over-complicated versions of what is already a perfectly good car."

This two-sentence opening to a video that's now achieved over 60,000 views seems to have ruffled a few feathers, and I'm okay with that. After all, we're all welcome to have an opinion on what we like, dislike, or deem purposeful or pointless. I'd like to think I gave the X7 a glowing review; after all, I think it's a fantastic car, and, to question my own written review title, I absolutely would have one over an equivalent Range Rover.

REVIEW: BMW X7 M60 - Still Better than a Range Rover?

Another SUV I happen to like!

The BMW X6 I've been driving for the past seven days, though, has left me feeling a little conflicted. Off the bat, I'll say that I like it—very much indeed. It drives brilliantly and rides sublimely. It has an excellent engine and offers top-tier tech through standard equipment and many optional extras. I also think it's a good-looking car, and with some bold colour choices available, such as Manhatten Green (the colour of the car I'm testing), it's a car that presents somewhat of a statement on the road. What's puzzling me, however, is the question: who would actually buy it–and why?

Is the X6 a pointless version of an existing car?

This is the BMW X6, some would say, a pointlessly oversized, overpriced and over-complicated version of an already perfectly good car...except it isn't.

Theoretically, the X6 is a model that sits between the family favourite X5 and the top-tier luxury X7. The X5 is a larger SUV version of the much-loved 5 Series estate, and the X7 is a larger SUV version of the 7 Series luxury saloon. If you visit the BMW website to browse new cars, you'll see car saloon and estate options for a new 5 Series and a saloon version of the new 7 Series. What you won't see, however, is a car (non-SUV) variant of the BMW 6 Series. Historically, there has been a 6 Series car, but at this moment in time, there isn't. And that immediately makes my claim of a 'pointlessly oversized version of a perfectly good car' redundant.

Size comparisons X6 vs X5

In terms of size comparisons, the X6 is almost an exact match in length, width, and height to the X5, but due to its sleeker sloped-rear design, space is unapologetically compromised internally. The rear headroom in the new X5 is 98cm (the space between the seat and the roof), whereas in the X6, it is 96cm. Whilst the 2cm difference is unlikely to become a deal breaker, getting in and out of the X6 in comparison to the X5 might be.

The X6's sloping rear roofline results in a significantly shorter rear door, which means climbing in and out requires the sort of bow akin to getting into the back seat of a 2-door coupe. Once inside, with the door closed, the X6 feels significantly darker thanks to the smaller windows and sloping roofline. Some may describe the rear seats as cosy, but two adults in the rear seats are just as likely to describe the experience as claustrophobic.

Interior space

Rear legroom is the other setback for the X6. In the X5, rear passengers can enjoy over 100cm of room between the seat back and the driver's seat, whereas in the X6, that number is reduced to just 88cm. At 6'1 / 185cm, I can sit comfortably in the rear seat behind my driving position, but I probably wouldn't want to sit there for a long time. Parents with Isofix child seats aren't going to have a great time in this area either.

The last obvious compromise with the X6 over the X5 is boot space. The boot floor space is ample (580L) but limited to items no taller than 40cm if you want them hidden by the luggage cover. Large boxes, bags, or Labradors simply won't fit comfortably, and this might be a significant spanner in the works for many, especially families. The other hurdle (almost literally) is the actual height of the boot floor. The lip to lift luggage over sits a proud 90cm off the ground, a challenge for heavy luggage cases and for the family pet; it's a jump that even a Crufts medal winner might struggle with.

The Driving Experience

Space is ample up front in the driver and front passenger seats, and the driving position is typically BMW (read as excellent). The driver's seat and steering wheel position have near-endless adjustability, meaning the X6 suits all shapes and sizes.

Given its size and weight, the X6 is surprisingly agile in terms of the way it drives. Like the X5 and X7, it has been engineered as a driver's car and, as a result, rewards an engaging driving experience. In terms of engines, buyers have a choice of two petrol engines and two diesel powertrains. I was testing the M40d variant (3.0L 6-cylinder B57), which grants 352hp and 38mpg on a combined driving cycle. The power delivery is well-suited to the platform and is surprisingly efficient, largely thanks to the car's shape.

Excellent for a road trip

At the weekend, I drove the X6 from my home in Warwickshire to Edinburgh to meet some old school friends. The 700-mile round trip was faultless, and I couldn't find anything to remark negatively. A full tank of diesel returned over 700 miles of driving, and at motorway speeds, the X6 is possibly the quietest SUV I've ever had the pleasure of driving in terms of road rumble and wind noise. From the driver's seat, the X6 is a delightful place to be, but my road trip and subsequent week with the car haven't answered my leading question–who is this car for?

Is a BMW X5 the better option?

As a driver's car, the X6 is enjoyable, but a smaller and lighter BMW, such as a 5 Series, would undoubtedly reward a better driving experience, and a larger model (such as the X5) would feel mostly the same.

For practicality, the X6 can fit two adults in the back seat, but again, a 5 Series saloon or estate could do the same without the need to contort for access. The more spacious X5 would undoubtedly do a better job here, especially if you also need to transport some large items or the family dog in the boot.

In terms of price, the X6 M40d has an on-the-road retail price of £81,640 before options. The X5 with the same engine and before options is £2,750 cheaper at £78,890

As far as I can tell, you get a slightly more aggressive-looking car for the extra money, and that's about it. I do think the styling is excellent, and the design language is complimentary from all angles, but is that enough to warrant almost £3k more than the boxier X5? - I'm not entirely sure it is.

So, It’s great, but who is the X6 for?

Even after 7 days with the car, I don't think I'm any closer to answering my own question. The only possible conclusion I can reach is regarding the styling. Perhaps there are consumers who like the idea of a large SUV but without the 'family wagon' appearance of the X5. If that's the case and you're in the market for an imposing-looking SUV that drives brilliantly, then the X6 is undoubtedly the car for you. But for me, and I assume the majority of others, whilst the X6 helps prove that BMW is still at the top of the league for sporty and engaging SUVs, it also demonstrates that you'll probably get just as much, if not more, from the more practical X5, and, at a better price, too.  

Words by John Marcar
Photography by Henry Faulkner-Smith
Special thanks to Partridge BMW, Hampshire.