BMW X6 F16

2015 BMW X6

When the BMW X6 first came, it was their attempt to make a car which looks and goes like a coupe but with its tall driving position and the so-called offroad ability, it's a Sport Activity Vehicle, and for this brand-new, second-generation model, it still feels like the old model. At launch, it's available with one petrol engine, a 4.4L V8 TwinPower Turbo engine, and two diesel engines such as the 3.0L and the range-topping (for now) M50d featuring an improved version of the 3.0L diesel engine which delivers 381PS of power and 740Nm of torque.

2015 BMW X6 interior

Inside, it's all typical BMW interior and it can accommodate up to four to five people except the fact is that those in the back will feel cramped due to its sloping roofline, just like the previous X6. What's gone from the previous model is the split-opening glovebox lid and it was replaced with the traditional glovebox compartment, which is kinda sad because it kinda worked even in an upside-down country. What's also gone is the unresponsive paddle shifters from the old model where it does both ways and it's back to the one where one changes up and one changes down. Nothing says "back to normal" than having a responsive driver controls but you can still be bothered by the poor back visibility and the ConnectedDrive system which you don't have the time to fiddle with it while going. Trust me on this because while on a stop, best to fiddle with the ConnectedDrive because when the lights gone green, eyes on the road and not on the screen from the dashboard. Sigh...

2015 BMW X6

What about the way it moves? Well, with the refined suspension and with its lightweight, more rigid, bodywork, the new model's mobility is now way different than the old model, slightly of course. In the bends, it's not half bad for a big tall car but it feels a lot more heavy on the steering judging that it comes with electric power steering which makes it as buzzkill as...Buzz Killington himself. (annoyed grunt) Even if it's classified as an SUV, it still doesn't do offroading stuff, be it on the countryside or at the alps, because like the last X6, it doesn't have a low-range gearbox, locking differentials, and ride height control. Seriously. Why did BMW decided to regenerate this monstrosity and still made it worse than the last time? I promised the new model to be more all-rounder than the old one but I'm afraid it still feels like the same thing.

2015 BMW X6

Like the old model, the brand new X6 is too focused for being a road car and it's too focused to be tall and heavy. It's too cramped, too complicated, and too expensive with prices start at 82,500 Euros while waiting for the entry-level version coming next year.

Even if it comes with a boatload of improvements, it still behaves like the same thing so should you buy one? Who cares about it?

Photo: BMW AG