Stop paying $80,000 for a BMW SUV with less space – the X5 does everything better for less

BMW has built its reputation on combining luxury and performance better than almost anyone else. Whether you’re looking at a sedan, coupe, or SUV, the brand consistently delivers vehicles that feel refined on long journeys while offering enough athleticism to keep enthusiastic drivers entertained. Few automakers have mastered this balancing act quite effectively.

However, in recent years, manufacturers have become increasingly involved in creating niche SUV body styles. Coupe-inspired crossovers have emerged as one of the biggest trends, promising sleeker styling and a sportier image than traditional utility vehicles. The problem is that these designs often sacrifice the qualities that make SUVs attractive in the first place: practicality, passenger space and cargo capacity.

A premium German SUV highlights this contrast perfectly. Beneath its controversial styling sits a truly impressive luxury car with powerful powertrains, excellent road manners and a plush interior. Unfortunately, its dramatic roofline presents compromises simply not present in its more conventional sibling. The result is an SUV that’s fun to drive and easy to admire, but leaves many buyers wondering why they should pay more for less space and utility.

The BMW X6 is sleek and luxurious, but its coupe-like styling lets it down

It costs more than the X5 but looks worse

If you’re looking for a sporty yet luxurious crossover, there’s no better place than a BMW dealer. The German brand has achieved the balance between comfort and driving pleasure in a way that others have been able to consistently replicate. In the impressive lineup of crossovers, the X6 stands out with its sloping roofline, which BMW says makes it sportier and more stylish. In our opinion, the less attractive and more expensive X5, with less space in the trunk.

2026 BMW X6 trims and prices

Coupe SUVs don’t make much sense to us, especially when a sloping roofline is revealed on a mid-size SUV like the BMW X6. Styling compromises rear seat and cargo space so much you might as well have bought a 4-Series Gran Coupe. While we accept that there are plenty of people who like the body style, BMW charging you more for less seems pretty ridiculous. The BMW X5, equipped with approximately the same equipment and a more spacious interior, costs between $4,400 and $6,700. little expensive depending on trim.

What makes all this worse is the nuance of the exterior styling. Even lovers of coupe-like SUVs found the X6 to be quite a controversial vehicle. Its proportions are quite odd, it looks like an overweight 4-Series Gran Coupe. While everything under the surface is still fantastic, cars are unfortunately emotional purchases, so the X6’s styling lets it down a lot.

Beneath this controversial exterior sits a rather athletic machine

BMW offers two brilliant powertrains here

Credit: BMW

We’ve always been told not to judge a book by its cover, and that certainly applies to the BMW X6. While we don’t like to look at it from the outside, once you get behind the wheel, you’re quick to forget all that nonsense. As always, BMW has delivered a car that delivers a performance that will surprise you despite your already high expectations.

Performance specification

Main Trim Engine

3L I6 Hybrid

Base Trim Transmission

8-speed automatic

Basic Trim transmission

All-wheel drive

Base Trim Horsepower

375hp @5200rpm

Main trim torque

383 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm

Base trim fuel economy (city/highway/combined)

23/26/24 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

to do

BMW

Model

X6

BMW X6 comes in two different guises namely xDrive40i and M60i. Behind the xDrive40i badge, models feature a three-liter turbocharged inline-six engine that combines with a 48-volt mild hybrid system to produce 375 horsepower. However, the M60i instead gets a fantastic 4.4-liter V-8 that puts out 523 horsepower. Either way, you’ll get an eight-speed automatic. Unlike the X5every X6 comes standard with all-wheel drive.

Considering the X6 weighs just over 5,000 pounds, that’s pretty quick. The XDrive40 can go from zero to 60 in about 5.2 seconds, while the M60i does the same thing in a brisk 4.2 seconds. These are BMW’s estimates, though, so we imagine they’re faster in real life. Cornering grip is heroic even for such a big and heavy car, although you still feel that weight. The steering is precise but, as with most modern BMWs, lacks feedback.

The question remains: Why buy an X6 when you can have an X5?

The X6 is just the X5, less spacious

While all this performance is impressive, you can get the exact same setup in the BMW X5, which comes with the same equipment and a more spacious cabin. The X6 makes absolutely no sense in the lineup. While we understand that some people really love sloping rooflines, you can opt for one instead Get the M440i Gran Coupe instead and save yourself $10,000. The German brand charges you more for less.

Interior dimensions and comfort

Those sitting in the front needn’t worry about any compromises as there is plenty of room to stretch out. The story is different if you drop into the back seats, though. The X6 has almost the same rear seat dimensions as the 4-Series Gran Coupe. The sloping roofline also extends into the cargo area, making it a coupe-like SUV Less practical than the X3Let’s put the X5 aside.

The style of the interior here is actually quite nice. The X6 doesn’t stray too far from the established norm that BMW has been following throughout its lineup. You get a sleek dual-screen setup on the dash, plush materials lining nearly every surface, and a host of other comfort and tech features. Again, the problem is that you get the same equipment in the BMW X5 for less money.

Coupe SUVs are stupid, and the BMW X6 proves it

The crossover trend that has dominated the automotive world for some time now has resulted in some pretty strange trends. Among these trends, coupe-like SUVs feel like one of the strangest. From driving dynamics to interior space, it feels like you’d be better off choosing between a sedan or an SUV rather than finding a middle ground. The X6 proves that point by compromising in almost every important area for a car of this price and size. The real kick in the gut is that it costs more than its more practical, mechanically identical sibling, the X5.