Name: BMW X6 (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW X6
Rating: 52.0

Summary

The first BMW X6 launched in 2008, effectively taking the mechanics of the large X5 SUV and enclosing them in a more aggressive body shape with a heavily sloping rear roof line.

After an initial flurry of interest and debate around the relevance of a liftback-style large SUV, the X6 has settled into more of a niche role in the BMW line-up. The current model is the third generation, unveiled in Germany in late 2019 before arriving in the UK in early 2020.

Generally regarded by reviewers as a significant improvement on its predecessors, the latest X6 comes with both petrol and diesel engine options. There are no hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions currently available, and none are expected anytime soon.

The car’s polarising nature is reflected in comments from reviewers. Honest John says that it is not as useful as an X5 “and people will make assumptions about you”. Others concur, Parkers describing it as a car “for those who want to stand out from the crowd”, while Auto Express says it’s “either the perfect interpretation of the sports SUV format or a needlessly heavy and aggressive vehicle”.

The steeply raked rear roof line does come with some compromises, with rear seat headroom and luggage capacity lagging behind the more practical X5. But it’s not as bad as many expect, Auto Express again commenting that the third-generation X6 has liberated more rear interior space than the previous models.

On the road, the BMW X6 is described as competent without being as exciting as it should be, given its powerful engines and sporty pretentions. “Other SUVs do that better,” says Top Gear, highlighting a lack of feedback through the steering wheel. Carbuyer comments on the X6’s big engines; “it’s as fast as a hot hatch.”

One particular concern for current or would-be X6 owners is that its reliability score is very poor. Our own reliability data presents significant concerns, while in August 2022 Warrantywise rated the X6 as the fifth most unreliable used car on sale in the UK. Full details in the ‘Reliability rating’ section below.

As of January 2024, the BMW X6 holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of just 52%. Its Used Car Expert Rating is even worse, with a score of just 44%. The X6 scores poorly in pretty much every category – reviewers don’t like it, reliability is poor, and it’s brutally expensive to live with.

X6 highlights

Surprising interior space
Mildly sporty, competent drive
Potent engines
Quality cabin with lots of tech

X6 lowlights

Less practical than X5
Less exciting to drive than looks suggest
Expensive to buy and to run
Historically poor reliability

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £75,760

Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Spring 2023
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“BMW’s latest X6 is its best take on the format yet, and as good to drive as ever.” (Paul Adam)
Read review

Model reviewed: 4.4-litre petrol automatic M50i
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW X6 M50i represents something of a niche within a niche. In the grand scheme of things, this is a SUV few will buy, and even fewer still will take on this hot V8 version. Yet it’s not without its charms.”
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It mightn’t be as practical, as roomy nor ultimately as comfortable as the X5, but the BMW X6 does have its own special appeal. It appears to represent a major advance on its predecessor in every major area, except perhaps its ride.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“It ticks the driving box emphatically, but we suspect most buyers will pick an X6 for its wardrobe – and it’s telling that BMW has launched its first illuminated kidney grille feature as an option on the new model.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic M50d
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X6 is a car that you’ll either love or hate. On paper, it doesn’t look great with its compromised practicality and more expensive list price than the car it’s based on. However, this new model is less cumbersome, better to drive and has one of the best interiors you’ll find in any SUV.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The BMW X6 was the original coupe-SUV, and it’s been reinvented with even more power and luxury”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The BMW X6 has powerful engines and a luxurious, high-tech cabin. You’ll forgo some space and practicality versus a BMW X5 though, and spend more doing it.”
Read review

Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic M50d
“Styling is very subjective, but it’s neither the most elegant nor subtle of designs. Rear headroom is predictably compromised by the sloping roofline and the plastic attempt at crystal gear lever is a combination of cheap and gaudy, especially on a car this expensive.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic M50d
“The BMW X6 drives as aggressively as it looks. Acceleration is sharp and constant, and there are steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver engagement. The only real downside is driver visibility due to wide B pillars and a narrow rear screen.”
Read review

Fleetworld+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic xDrive30d M Sport
Score: 6 / 10
“The BMW X6 is a big car; five metres in length and two in width, like its sister product, the X5. The two SUVs share a platform and dashboard but diverge rear of the B pillar. There’s roughly a suitcase worth of extra luggage capacity beneath the load cover in an X5.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest BMW X6 makes a more convincing case for itself than ever. Sorry, diehard traditionalists, but even though you may hate the styling, you can’t deny the coupe curves are convincing. Also, the interior is spot-on, engines are good and the handling is impressive.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re able to look beyond the looks of the BMW X6, you’ll find an SUV that remains hugely practical, brilliant to drive and will almost certainly ruin someone’s day on the commute to work…”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW X6 essentially a X5 with a little less practicality, coupe-like styling and a sportier flavour. Good to drive, but still divisive.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The BMW X6 is a large, premium SUV for those who wish to stand out from the crowd.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Among its peers, the X6 has the most, er, striking design. Which is why even if we say don’t buy it, you will if you want to. Then you can post-rationalise your decision by pointing out the great powertrains and mostly excellent cockpit ergonomics.”
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Its styling may divide opinion but the BMW X6 is actually a very well rounded coupe SUV. Not only is it available with a range of truly fantastic engines, but it’s also one of the most entertaining cars in the class to drive, making the Mercedes GLE Coupe and Range Rover Velar feel sloppy in comparison.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of December 2024, the BMW X6 has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. Although the mechanically-identical X5 SUV was tested and awarded a five-star rating in 2018, this rating does not carry over to the X6.

The changes to the roofline and pillars from X5 to X6 will inevitably alter the way that the car performs in a side impact, meaning that the X6 would need to be either partially or completely tested separately to be rated. If this happens, we will publish the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW X6 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Ultimately, the X6 is a big, heavy SUV powered by large petrol and diesel engines, so it’s unlikely to do well in environmental testing. If Green NCAP selects the X6 for assessment, we will publish the results here.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 216
Average repair cost: £890.07
Last updated: October 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The BMW X6 has a poor reliability score as of December 2024, with a reliability score of just 26%, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This covers both the current (2019 onwards) model and earlier generations.

The most common problems reported for the X6 relate to the engine, which are also expensive, with an average repair bill of about £1,700. Gearbox repairs have been even more expensive but appear to be rarer.

Suspension and electrical systems are also frequently-cited problems, although these have been much cheaper to repair to date.

It’s not just our data that has flagged reliability issues with the BMW X6. In 2022, warranty provider Warrantywise ranked the X6 fifth in the least reliable used cars (up to ten years old) on sale in the UK. So, if you own a BMW X6 or are considering buying a used X6, it’s certainly worth considering a used car warranty that covers all of the potential trouble spots shown in the charts above.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	29 mpg	E	24 – 33 mpg	E – E
Diesel models	39 mpg	D	34 – 43 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	217 g/km	D	193 – 273 g/km	D – D
Diesel models	190 g/km	C	172 – 216 g/km	C – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F	49 – 50	E – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£496	D
Year 2	£1,063	D
Year 3	£1,728	D
Year 4	£2,211	D
Year 5	£2,784	D
Overall	£8,282	D

It shouldn’t come as any real surprise to find that such a big, heavy SUV costs a lot of money to run. Fuel consumption is high, as are servicing and maintenance costs.

All versions of the BMW X6 are in the top insurance group (Group 50), meaning it’s expensive to insure as well. But all of these costs are in the same ball park as what you’d pay on other similar vehicles.