BMW X6 xDrive 30d 245 CV, test drive (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

Today we bring to the test track a true veteran, and one that was also visionary in its design. In 2008 a peculiar model went on sale, with SUV styling and at the same time coupé lines, the work of Pininfarina and named BMW X6. Derived from the BMW X5 (with which it shares many elements) but with a strong personality of its own, the X6 quickly won the hearts of a customer base looking for something different.

In 2012 it received minor updates, and since then it has remained at the forefront (although its replacement is close, if not this year then early next year). We have tested it with the xDrive 30d 245 hp diesel engine and in the coming days we will tell you everything about this SUV.

Engine and performance

In diesel there are two engine options, both made up of a three-litre, six-cylinder inline engine but with two different power outputs: on one hand the xDrive 30d with 245 CV and on the other the xDrive 40d with 306 CV. Same displacement, different torque and different power. Is the 245 CV engine enough?

Performance is a very important point for any car, but in the case of the BMW X6 it is perhaps an even more important element, because the best thing about the car is not its off-road abilities but its behaviour on the road, and that is why a good engine that gives a certain dynamism at the wheel is important.

With the 245 CV engine we will have no power problems, and we will not miss the 306 CV of the more powerful version. Its performance bears this out, since its torque is 540 Nm, available from 1,500 rpm.

Furthermore the X6 keeps pushing strongly up to 4,000 rpm without ever losing its drive; that is, just pressing the accelerator gives a quick and forceful response in any situation. From 0 to 100 km/h it accelerates in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h.

As soon as you start the car, despite being a diesel the sound is slightly different from a conventional diesel; it feels more sporty. Paired with the engine is an eight-speed automatic gearbox (torque converter) which is not as quick as a dual-clutch unit but is comfortable when engaging each gear; though it does not hold the car back too much. It also has a Sport mode and steering-wheel paddles for manual control.

Handling

The BMW X6 is an SUV, but its off-tarmac qualities are very limited. It is true that it has an effective automatic all-wheel-drive system and hill descent control, but neither the car’s angles, nor its suspension, nor the tyres fitted as standard (not to mention the wheels) are aimed at off-road use; instead they seek to offer the greatest possible dynamism in an SUV.

That is where its greatest strength lies: it is one of the most dynamic crossovers on the market with effective on-road response. It is very stable on the road and at high speeds, helped by its 20-inch wheels fitted with low-profile, very wide tyres (315/35 R20). The typical body roll that can appear in a crossover because of its height or weight disappears in the X6, and the agility through corners is very surprising.

That said, it is not a sports car with sports suspension, but compared with other crossovers it is very agile and dynamic. On uneven road surfaces the suspension is comfortable, despite the low-profile tyres. And thanks to all-wheel drive we get a good response in any situation, as well as making full use of the engine’s power.

We found the interior soundproofing could be improved. Meanwhile the steering has a firm feel and is very precise (typical of a BMW), and the brakes perform their function more than adequately.

Consumption

On the motorway, on our usual route, the motorway section used 8.2 litres per 100 km, while on country roads it averages around 8.5 litres per 100 km with calm driving. In town it averages around 11 litres per 100 km, a test we carry out, as always, on our urban route through Vigo (in other cities consumption will surely be lower). In terms of consumption it sits in the normal range for the segment, with figures similar to the Mercedes ML 350 BlueTEC we tested a year ago.

In the second part of the review we will analyse the exterior design, the point where its devoted fans and its detractors part ways, as well as the interior design (very similar to the BMW X5), although on this front the car’s age is starting to show in some details. We will discuss this in the second part of the BMW X6 xDrive 30d review.

Photos | Test team

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBMW X64 versions · from 103,400 €