BMW has long been known for building cars and SUVs (SAVs or "Sports Activity Vehicles," in BMW parlance) that deliver high levels of performance with the trappings of a luxury vehicle. The updated 2024 BMW X6 is no exception. The X6 is the German luxury sport brand's midsize crossover SUV with seating for five, fashioned in a sportier style with a sleeker roofline than the similar-sized X5. While all iterations of the 2024 BMW X6 offer impressive performance, it's the X6 M that boasts the highest horsepower in the lineup, with ride and handling on par with a sports car.
BMW introduced the third generation of the X6 M in 2020, and the sporty crossover gets a significant refresh for the 2024 model year. Highlights include a new front-end design with larger air intakes, stylish headlights, and a high-tech curved digital display inside. The X6 M also gets a new mild-hybrid V8 powertrain, an improved xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, and a refined suspension, all of which coalesce to deliver outstanding performance.
BMW offers the 2024 X6 in three trim levels: xDrive40i, M60i, and the powerful M Competition. Prices range from $73,900 for the base-level trim to $127,200 for the top-level X6 M Competition.
Photo: Perry Stern
The BMW X6 competes in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 66 percent of new BMW X6 buyers are male (vs. 65 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new X6 buyer is 56 years (vs. 58).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the X6 in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the X6 ranks second out of 13 Upper Midsize Premium SUV models.
In the sections that follow, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 BMW X6 M Competition equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $146,345, including the $995 destination charge.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2024 BMW X6 M is a proper performance machine, but designers didn't skimp on interior luxury. The cabin features high-end materials throughout, with extensive use of polished carbon fiber and soft Full Merino leather, the latter covering the lower dashboard, doors, center console, and seats. Ambient lighting adds a nice touch to the cabin at night.
One of the 2024 model-year updates is the new curved screen that incorporates a 12.3-inch driver display and 14.9-inch infotainment display behind a single pane of glass. With most controls accessed via the touchscreen, almost all the physical buttons and knobs are gone, providing a clean overall design. A large controller remains in the center console as an additional interface method.
There is good storage in the X6 M's cabin with a sizable center console bin and room for small items in the covered section ahead of the gear selector. Cupholders are on the small side. However, door pockets can handle very large water bottles. There is a wireless phone charger at the front of the center console.
The X6 M comes standard with sport-style front seats with bolsters at the shoulders, sides, and thighs to provide excellent support. The seats feel slightly stiff when sitting the first time, but after several hours behind the wheel, I found them quite comfortable, especially with the seat massagers in action. Seats are also stylish, with a two-tone treatment and an illuminated X6 M badge integrated into the headrests.
Rear seats get the same two-tone treatment with soft leather trim. Passengers will find good legroom and headroom in the back with heated seats and dual-zone climate control. The middle seat bottom is hard, and with less leg space, it's not ideal for a full-size adult.
Cargo space is good in the X6 M, but the sloped roof means slightly less room than the more traditionally styled X5. Still, there's plenty of space for multiple suitcases behind the rear seats. A rigid cargo cover folds out of the way for easy loading, keeping items hidden when in place.
Photo: Perry Stern
The updated X6 M gets the latest iteration of BMW's iDrive, which uses the company's operating system 8. Features of this newest system include:
With a large display screen, the new infotainment system is easy to view and navigate. The primary display features tiles that swipe to the left or right, and the system is easy to configure to show and order the tiles in any way the driver chooses. Alternatively, you can set it up to display all the features in smaller icons on one screen. Shortcuts to audio, communication, navigation, and Android Auto (or Apple CarPlay) remain on the left for quick access.
Climate controls appear on the screen, with temperature settings located at the bottom for the driver and passenger, adding to the clean look of the cabin. Any function other than changing the cabin temperature requires accessing the climate menu via a link between the temperature readouts. I thought this would become frustrating with a constant need to open a submenu, but it worked well enough to become second nature.
Setting up my Samsung Galaxy S23+ to run Android Auto was a breeze, taking just a few seconds with no wires needed. Once done the first time, Android Auto remains on the menu. Android Auto uses the whole screen. However, a Home button remains static at the top left for quick access to the BMW native menu.
The BMW voice control works well, activated by saying, "Hey, BMW." The system has become quite advanced with many new tasks that it can perform. Not only was I able to adjust the temperature, set the navigation, and change the audio source, but I could open individual windows or the sunroof via voice commands.
In addition to the large, curved display screen, the X6 M features a sizeable head-up display configurable to show various functions. Showing speed and navigation directions was the most useful, and the directions can come from the BMW native system or Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
Photo: Perry Stern
The X6 M is the most powerful model in the BMW X6 lineup, boasting a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. BMW integrated an electric motor into the 8-speed automatic transmission. The automaker says it provides better off-the-line performance and added efficiency when cruising. The electric motor pulls power from the 48-volt battery in the engine compartment, which charges via regenerative braking. It also operates as a starter/generator for smooth automatic engine stop/start functionality.
Every BMW I've driven that has an "M" in the model name delivers thrilling performance, and the X6 M Competition is no exception. Acceleration is robust thanks to the low-end torque and electric boost tied to the automatic transmission. With power delivered to all four wheels, BMW says the X6 M Competition will reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The SUV boasts a claimed top speed of 177 mph with the optional M Driver's Package.
The X6 M Competition may be an SUV, but it has the soul of a sports car. Driving down Highway 1 along California's coast, the excellent steering response, powerful brakes, and quick-shifting transmission make it easy to forget that this is a 5-passenger SUV. A wonderful V8 sound emanates from the quad exhaust outlets, and the roar under full throttle is intoxicating.
On the winding road bordering the Pacific Ocean, the X6 M stayed composed and in control, even when pushed hard in the corners. The stellar grip of the high-performance AWD system and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires delivered great confidence as the road wound back and forth through the trees.
When the need to pass a slower vehicle arose, the X6 M made the task easy. Even at higher speeds, the big SUV accelerates with impressive fervor, quickly getting around the other car on the two-lane road. However, I did find that speed climbs surprisingly fast, and keeping my right foot on the floor for too long resulted in triple-digit speeds before I realized it. The big brakes quickly and smoothly brought the X6 back within the legal limit.
While the X6 M Competition is clearly at home on a twisty back road, the sporty BMW works very well as a comfortable cruiser. Spending several hours on the freeway, the X6 was perfectly content to cruise at 70 mph, providing excellent sound from the Bowers & Wilkins sound system while the seat massager kept fatigue at bay.
Photo: Perry Stern
The BMW X6 M Competition is available with the latest advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), but many common features are optional. Features include:
It is quite surprising that common features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance are not standard on the BMW X6 M, especially considering its price of almost $150,000. Many less-expensive models from brands like Honda and Subaru come standard with these valuable features, but my test vehicle from BMW was not so equipped. The system has worked well in other BMWs I have tested.
The X6 M has a forward-collision warning system, and it does get your attention. Driving through Monterey, California, a vehicle suddenly slowed in front of me to make a left turn, and before I could apply the brakes, the BMW flashed a warning in the head-up display and sounded an alert.
Photo: Perry Stern
The X6 M offers a practical cargo space with 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. You can fold the rear seats via levers in the cargo area, expanding the available space to 59.6 cubic feet. Items stay hidden below the hard cargo cover. However, the X6's sloping roof limits taller cargo.
The X6 M delivers excellent performance, but that does come at the cost of fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the X6 M at 15 mpg in combined city/highway driving, translating to a range of 328 miles. The EPA figures matched pretty close to the 14 mpg I saw on the trip computer during my time in the X6 M, although I did get around 20 mpg during my final 80 miles of exclusively highway driving.
While the SUV has a long list of active and passive safety features, at the time of writing, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released crash-test results for the 2024 BMW X6.
The BMW X6 is available in three trim levels: BMW X6 xDrive40i ($73,900), X6 M60i ($93,600), and X6 M Competition ($127,200). These base prices do not include the destination charge of $995.
In the JD Power 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Cadillac XT6 ranks highest in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment. The BMW X6 and the BMW X5 are the next highest-ranked models.
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the BMW iX ranks highest in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment. The next highest-ranked models are the BMW X6 and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Other competitors to the 2024 X6 include the Genesis GV80, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Porsche Cayenne.
Photo: Perry Stern
BMW has always had a knack for creating vehicles that perfectly blend luxury and performance, and this updated X6 M Competition is a perfect example. With bold exterior styling that hints at the power beneath the skin and a nicely appointed high-tech interior, the X6 M is an excellent choice in the high-end SUV market.
Not only does the X6 M have a bold look, but it also has the performance parts to match. While the lower trims of the X6 still deliver good capability and drivability, those looking for the ultimate performance will find the X6 M more to their liking.
Like other models in the BMW lineup with an "M" in the name, the X6 M Competition delivers extreme performance. With rapid acceleration and outstanding handling characteristics, the X6 M is an absolute joy to drive. At the same time, it provides a high-end passenger experience with the utility expected of a 5-passenger crossover SUV. While these attributes come at a relatively high price, those in the market for a high-performance luxury SUV should certainly consider the BMW X6 M Competition.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The Ford Transit is the automaker’s full-size cargo and passenger van offering, designed to serve a wide range of commercial and lifestyle applications. With 37 available configurations, the platform ...See More
Read the Full Article
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size, three-row SUV with a standard V8 engine and available diesel power. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup, the Tahoe benefits from its ...See More
Read the Full Article
It is the end of the line for the Ford Escape. After 25 years as a fixture of Ford’s lineup, 2026 will be the compact SUV’s last model year.
Read the Full Article
The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. It ranks among the segment’s most capable trucks for payload and towing, and can be configured for both work and off-road adventures. For 2026, the ...See More
Read the Full Article