Photo: Original image by autoevolution
By now, the E71 X6 is turning 6 and will soon be replaced by a newer, more lively model, according to BMW that seems to be really interested in the Sport Activity Coupe niche as they just launched a second model that fits that description, the X4.
Therefore, even though there are 6 years between the two models, comparisons between them will keep pouring in. That’s why we decided to make a photo gallery with the two side by side and check out the similarities and differences.
Starting with the size of the two, discrepancies soon start to show up. The bigger model is the X6, with a total length of 4,877mm (192 in.) compared to X4’s 4,671 mm (183.9 in.) that’s around 20 extra cm (8 in.) that you get in the original SAC but that’s not all.
The longer model is also wider and taller, measuring 1,984mm (78.1 in.) in width and 1,689 mm (66.5 in.) in height compared to the 1,882 mm (74.1 in.) and 1,623 (63.9 in.) of the newer car. That should translate into less room inside, an issue X6 owners often encounter.
However, you might be surprised to learn that it’s not as bad as it sounds. The X4 lost only 68 liters of cargo space in the back compared to the 569 liters the X6 boasts with. Furthermore, BMW claims that the headroom issue in the back has also been solved, tall people having plenty of space, even for longer trips. We’ll just have to see about that.
On the outside, the design shows a lot more differences. Up front, the X4 features the new styling cues from BMW with a single, powerful unit made up of the headlights and the kidney grille, while on the X6 the two are separated. The fog lights have been moved upwards, closer to the lights while the hood showcases new creases.
On the side, the same sloping roofline is present on both models, tipping just over the driver’s seat and going down progressively towards the boot and the massive wheel arches of the rear axle. An interesting detail is that the new X4 doesn’t have the gills we’ve been seeing on every new BMW lately, on the front fenders, meant to help with the air flow but it does keep the signal lights like his older brother.
Round the back the similarities continue, both models featuring a powerful, big boot lid and a small opening on the tailgate that doesn’t help at all when parking. Even the taillights of the new car look more like an evolution rather than an all new model, showcasing BMW’s new L-shaped blade lights. The bumper though is completely different, including the diffuser. The tailpipe design varies depending on the model you choose so we won’t get into that.
Inside, the same story repeats itself, the two looking almost identical and revealing BMW’s biggest flaw of the last few years: the same overall design, unchanged for quite some time. The only differences you can notice are limited to the HVAC control panel and the passenger’s side of the dash where the glove box is more prominent and the trims are smaller.
Of course, the design isn’t the only place where the two are both similar and different. The engine line-up is also quite interesting to look at. Whereas the X4 taps out at 3-liter units, the most powerful one being the biturbo diesel xDrive35d model, the X6 doesn’t come with a smaller unit and even goes up to a full fledged M model that has 555 HP and 680 Nm of torque at its disposal. Hopefully, we’ll get an X4 M too in the future.
Starting with the size of the two, discrepancies soon start to show up. The bigger model is the X6, with a total length of 4,877mm (192 in.) compared to X4’s 4,671 mm (183.9 in.) that’s around 20 extra cm (8 in.) that you get in the original SAC but that’s not all.
The longer model is also wider and taller, measuring 1,984mm (78.1 in.) in width and 1,689 mm (66.5 in.) in height compared to the 1,882 mm (74.1 in.) and 1,623 (63.9 in.) of the newer car. That should translate into less room inside, an issue X6 owners often encounter.
However, you might be surprised to learn that it’s not as bad as it sounds. The X4 lost only 68 liters of cargo space in the back compared to the 569 liters the X6 boasts with. Furthermore, BMW claims that the headroom issue in the back has also been solved, tall people having plenty of space, even for longer trips. We’ll just have to see about that.
On the outside, the design shows a lot more differences. Up front, the X4 features the new styling cues from BMW with a single, powerful unit made up of the headlights and the kidney grille, while on the X6 the two are separated. The fog lights have been moved upwards, closer to the lights while the hood showcases new creases.
On the side, the same sloping roofline is present on both models, tipping just over the driver’s seat and going down progressively towards the boot and the massive wheel arches of the rear axle. An interesting detail is that the new X4 doesn’t have the gills we’ve been seeing on every new BMW lately, on the front fenders, meant to help with the air flow but it does keep the signal lights like his older brother.
Round the back the similarities continue, both models featuring a powerful, big boot lid and a small opening on the tailgate that doesn’t help at all when parking. Even the taillights of the new car look more like an evolution rather than an all new model, showcasing BMW’s new L-shaped blade lights. The bumper though is completely different, including the diffuser. The tailpipe design varies depending on the model you choose so we won’t get into that.
Inside, the same story repeats itself, the two looking almost identical and revealing BMW’s biggest flaw of the last few years: the same overall design, unchanged for quite some time. The only differences you can notice are limited to the HVAC control panel and the passenger’s side of the dash where the glove box is more prominent and the trims are smaller.
Of course, the design isn’t the only place where the two are both similar and different. The engine line-up is also quite interesting to look at. Whereas the X4 taps out at 3-liter units, the most powerful one being the biturbo diesel xDrive35d model, the X6 doesn’t come with a smaller unit and even goes up to a full fledged M model that has 555 HP and 680 Nm of torque at its disposal. Hopefully, we’ll get an X4 M too in the future.
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