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BMW X6 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 5
First production year: 2008
Engines: Mild hybrid, Mild hybrid diesel, Diesel, Gasoline, Hybrid diesel, Hybrid
Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
BMW X6 photo gallery

BMW introduced the first generation of the X6 in 2007, and its coupe-like shape shook the world since, after all, it was a high-rider.

But despite the world financial crisis from those years, customers bought it. Thus, by 2020, the car had already reached its third generation. But the automaker had to refresh it, and in February 2023, it launched the facelifted version for it. Thus, just like its X5 sibling, the X6 featured went through some mild changes to the car's exterior, some significant upgrades on the interior, and an electrified engine range.

At the front, the X6 received a new bumper that sported a broad lower grille with an angular look and was flanked by a pair of slim, vertical air inlets. In addition, the automaker installed redesigned headlights with integrated V-shaped turn-signals/daytime running lights pointing outward. At the back, the X6 showed its new LED taillights that were well extended into the tailgate.

Inside, the cabin boasted sports seats fitted as standard, fronting the redesigned digital dashboard. This consisted of a 12.3" instrument panel and a massive 14.9" touchscreen for the iDrive 8's infotainment system. At the back, the X6 offered a 40/20/40 split-folding bench that could expand the trunk space from 580 liters (20.4 cu-ft) to 1,530 liters (54 cu-ft).

Under the hood, BMW installed revised gasoline engines helped by mild-hybrid systems that helped reduce emissions. In addition, a three-liter inline-six turbo-diesel, also helped by a mild-hybrid unit, was offered depending on the market.

full description and technical specifications
mild hybrid diesel engines:

BMW X6 xDrive30d 8AT AWD (298 HP)

BMW X6 photo gallery

It was the bold move no-one thought was going to become a trend-setter more then a decade ago when BMW launched the first generation of the X6. The SUV-Coupe (called by the Bavarians Sport-Activity-Coupe) was followed a decade later by more than one competitor. But the real star of the SUV-coupe segment, was and remained the X6. In 2019, BMW decided to come with a new generation. Now it is even bolder and meaner. As a plus, the Bavarians added some bling-bling equipping the car with 22” rims and lights in the front-grille.

Inside, there is room for 5. The first generation had 4 individual seats as standard, those from the back being divided by a large center console.

Under the hood, BMW offers gasoline and diesel engines, all turbocharged. The “slowest” version has 265 hp and can do a 0-100 kph (62 mph) in under 7 seconds, while the top of the range X6 M Competition can reach the first 100 kph (62 mph) in a mere 3.8 seconds due to its 625 hp and massive 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque.

Since the new generation was launched under new rules of connectivity, the evolution of the infotainment system is massive. From the previous iDrive with a rotary knob to BMW Live Cockpit Professional is a big leap. Also, there is a personal AI assistant that can receive a custom name so the driver won't have to say “Hey, BMW!” each time he wants a command. Two over 12” screens are available for the instrument cluster and the main screen. Of course, it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

full description and technical specifications
hybrid diesel engines:

BMW X6 xDrive 40d 8AT AWD (340 HP)

BMW X6 (F16) photo gallery

BMW introduced the SUV-coupe X6 on the market in 2007, right before the world financial crisis, and, due to that, its sales were not as significant as expected. But the second generation unveiled in 2014 became a hot-seller in the manufacturer’s lineup.

After the world economy bounced back, the German automaker considered that the future of its SAC (Sport Activity Coupe), as it likes to call it, was secure. So, it followed the same recipe of using the platform from the X5, fixed the problems noticed by BMW’s customers, and in late 2014, launched the second generation of this nameplate. This time, the automaker did it right.

The X6 sparked a huge controversy on the market, with people either loved it or hated the shape of the vehicle. At the front, the car looked similar to its X5 sibling, but the headlights looked more aggressive thanks to their swept-back shape on the sides. In addition, the grille with vertical slats didn’t look as big as before, and BMW’s design team made that possible by increasing the front bumper’s dimensions. To keep the engine cool, the automaker installed another grille on the lower side, flanked by round fog lamps offered as an option. While most customers approved the look of the front fascia, the sloped-down roofline divided them. It was a love-it or hate-it reaction at that. BMW tried to make an SUV look sportier, and the X6 was exactly that. The feeling was emphasized by the wide rear fenders, which sported an arched sculptured line above the wheel arches. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed new LED taillights mounted way up, close to the vehicle’s belt line.

Inside, unlike its predecessor, was no longer offered as a four-seat vehicle as standard. Still, the automaker kept that option on the list for those willing to share the car only with three people at most. The front seats were comfortable and bolstered to keep their occupants in place during high-speed cornering maneuvers. On the redesigned dashboard, BMW installed the infotainment screen in a pop-up position, even though it wasn’t retractable like in an Audi. The instrument cluster kept the same four classic BMW dials: fuel level, speedometer, tachometer, and oil temperature. Between the driver and their side passengers, the automaker placed a tall center console that housed a big storage area under the armrest, the rotary knob for the iDrive infotainment unit, and the gear selector for the standard automatic transmission. Starting with this model, BMW moved the lock-unlock button on the driver’s door and replaced it on the center stack with the knob for the advanced safety systems.

BMW installed a wide range of diesel and gasoline engines under the 2015 X6 skin, with six or eight cylinders. One of the oil burners, known as the M50d, featured four turbochargers and raised the power to 381 PS (375 HP). All X6s came fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive systems.

REVIEW: 2015 BMW X6   full description and technical specifications
BMW X6 (E71) photo gallery

BMW had to refresh the X6 in 2009 due to the introduction of the Euro5 emission standards, and besides some improved engines, it also added a hybrid version.

But that wasn't the automaker's only change for the Sports Activity Coupe vehicle. There were several other improvements both on the car's exterior and inside the cabin. But, despite all the changes, sales were not as high as expected due to the world financial crisis that crippled the market.

BMW introduced the X6 in 2008, and the unusual-looking bodywork was named Sports Activity Coupe. It was an SUV based on the same platform as the X5 but with a sloped roof at the back. For the 2010 model-year, the car went through some visual changes, such as redesigned headlights. The automaker also installed a new hood, with a power dome on it, for the Active Hybrid and the M-powered versions.

One of the most significant upgrades on the car was found on the interior. BMW listened to its customers and heard them complaining about the four-seat-only option, and reshaped the rear bench seat to make room for three. Still, the trunk space was small when compared to other SUVs on the market.

Under the hood, the automaker revised the engine lineup. Europeans could get the crossover with a twin-turbocharged diesel unit, such as the 4.0d version, which added almost 20 ponies to the herd. The base version also got more grunt. Last but not least, the Active Hybrid version was added and promised excellent fuel efficiency. It was better than the 50i version but not as good as its main rivals on the market.

REVIEW: BMW X6 ActiveHybrid   full description and technical specifications
BMW X6 (E71) photo gallery

BMW introduced the X6 in its lineup in 2008 and stormed the market with its unique-looking coupe-shaped SUV that polarized customers with its love-it or hate-it look.

The German automaker made the first generation of the X6 based on the same platform as the second generation of the X5 (E70), and the car was a disruption for the SUV segment. Moreover, BMW didn’t even call it SUV but SAC, which stood for the Sport Activity Coupe. Apart from its underpinnings, the vehicle didn’t share any body panels with the X5 and offered some unique options tailored specifically for it and unavailable for its sibling. Still, the vehicle came in a difficult moment, right before the world financial crisis struck the automotive segment. But the model survived and thrived.

With its menacing look and big size, the X6 had a commanding look on the road. Its organic-shaped headlights resembled a bird of prey and flanked the narrow grille. Underneath, the automaker offered customers the option for a regular bumper with a rectangular-looking lower grille or the one from the M-Package that sported a trapezoidal air intake flanked by oversized scoops for the fog lamps. In addition, BMW added an underbody element that mimicked a skid plate, although the car was not intended for serious off-road use.

From its profile, the coupe-shaped greenhouse of the X6 created a sporty look for the vehicle, although the tall stance didn’t offer the same feeling. Still, the windshield was raked even more than in the X5. On the rear fascia, the automaker installed the taillights extended from the sloped-down tailgate’s vertical metallic panel towards the rear quarter panels. A fat bumper with an apron underneath it concealed the exhausts, and their number varied from two to four, depending on the engine version, flanking a diffuser.

Inside, the automaker created a four-seat cabin with no option for an additional seat in the back for a third passenger. At the front, customers found high-bolstered bucket seats, unusual for SUVs and crossovers. The driver fronted a mixed instrument panel with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer flanked by the gauges for the fuel level and engine temperature and an LCD for additional information. Depending on the engine and options, a steering wheel with or without paddle shifters was fitted. Atop the center stack, in a separate cluster, BMW installed the iDrive infotainment system that was controlled via a rotary knob placed on the center console.

Under the hood, BMW installed a range of turbo diesel or gasoline inline-six or V8 engines, all paired with six-speed automatic transmissions. The all-wheel-drive system was standard across the range and was electronically controlled to send the most torque to the wheel with the best traction. Furthermore, the LCD placed on the dash could show where the torque was sent.

full description and technical specifications