Vehicle Overview
The four-door BMW X6 gains light visual updates and two new performance packages for 2013. The five-seat X6 comes with a turbocharged six-cylinder or V-8 engine, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Competitors include the Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Trim levels are the six-cylinder X6 xDrive35i and the V-8 X6 xDrive50i. A turbocharged V-8 X6 M caps the lineup. BMW dropped the gas-electric ActiveHybrid X6, which garnered few sales, after 2011.
(Skip to details on the: X6 M)
New for 2013
The 2013 X6 gains light visual changes, a new leather choice inside and two performance packages for the non-M model.
Exterior
A roofline that peaks early and descends all the way to the tail distinguishes the X6. It’s a profile that cars like the less-expensive Acura ZDX have emulated. The BMW’s taillights sit high on the trunk, and the belt line sits high against short windows. The whole of it gives the X6 the look of a four-door coupe on a beefier, raised suspension.
Visual changes include relocated fog lights, reshaped tailpipes and subtle changes to BMW’s twin-kidney grille. The headlights gain white caps similar to those on BMW’s other cars; here, like on the 1 Series and 6 Series coupes, the caps have embedded LED lights. Xenon headlights are standard, with adaptive LED headlights optional. An optional M Performance Package adds 20-inch alloy wheels, upgraded exterior trim and darker exhaust tips.
Interior
Inside, the dashboard’s high shelf integrates gauges and a center screen. The M Performance Package adds unique doorsills, headliner and footrests. Four seats are standard; an optional three-seat rear bench raises capacity to five.
Cargo room behind the rear seats totals 25.6 cubic feet. Fold down the seats and the X6 has 51.2 cubic feet of room. The cargo-area figure compares favorably to BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo (15.0 cubic feet) and the Porsche Cayenne (23.7 cubic feet), but it trails the Range Rover Sport (33.8 cubic feet).
Under the Hood
The xDrive30i’s turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 300 pounds-feet of torque, while the xDrive50i’s turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 is good for 400 hp and 450 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines route power through an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
The M Performance Package adds extra power this year, bumping xDrive30i output to 315 hp and 330 pounds-feet of torque. On the xDrive50i, it makes 440 hp and 480 pounds-feet of torque.
Safety
Front, side-impact and side curtain airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes and an electronic stability system.
X6 M
Introduced in late 2009, the X6 M cranks output for the turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 to 555 hp. Other changes include a reworked exterior with aggressive ground effects, a unique suspension and performance-oriented interior cues. While other X6s have an eight-speed automatic, the X6 M gets a six-speed auto. Back to top
