In 2008, BMW introduced a luxury crossover SUV that inadvertently resulted in the birth of a new segment of cars — the coupé-SUV. BMW refers to the body type as a sports activity coupé (SAC) since it combines the high ground clearance and go-anywhere nature of an SUV with the design cues of a coupé.
The BMW X6 is now in its third generation and, despite an increasing number of other German options, remains a strong contender in its segment. If this is a car you’re interested in but don’t want to spend the money on a brand-new one, a 2021 BMW X6 is an excellent choice. It’s nearly identical in what it has to offer, and a pre-owned one will cost you less than getting one straight off the showroom floor.
Better Than Ever Before
The BMW X6 shares its underpinnings and most of its hardware with the more purposeful BMW X5. It’s undoubtedly the more unique looking of the two with its fastback styling, and since this latest G06 generation made its debut only in 2020, it’s still an incredibly fresh design.
Up front, the signature kidney-grille, now more prominent than ever before on an X6, fits flush between the wide-eyed headlights. The 2021 BMW X6 also lets you illuminate the kidney-grille if that’s something you’re interested in. The slick, sharp design continues to the sides and rear of the car, and this is, undeniably, the most aggressive the X6 has looked. It seems like BMW has finally perfected the balance between SUV and coupe, and it’ll only take one glance at the new X6 for you to come to the same conclusion.
Compared to the previous generation of the X6, the G06 X6 was also 26 mm longer (at 4,935 mm) with a wheelbase stretched by 42 mm (now 2,975 mm).
2021 BMW X6 vs. 2022 BMW X6
The 2021 BMW X6 brought some notable updates over the 2020 iteration, including Android Auto and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The six-cylinder 2021 BMW X6 sDrive40i and xDrive40i models introduced a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while the more-powerful V8-powered 2021 BMW X6 M50i came with remote start and ventilated seats as standard equipment.
On the flip side, BMW discontinued options like its acoustic glass, rear-entertainment system, night vision with pedestrian detection, and cup holder heating and cooling.
For 2022, the German manufacturer made some even more significant changes. The base, rear-wheel-drive sDrive40i was discontinued, making the xDrive enabled xDrive40i the entry-level model. It also got rid of wireless charging as standard and tweaked the optional packages on offer.
Engine Options
While its styling will capture your attention, what will keep you hooked is what lies under the hood. The 2021 BMW X6 is available with three engine options:
- 3.0L inline-six turbo B58 in X6 sDrive40i, producing 335 hp at 5,500–6,500 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque at 1,500–5,200 rpm
- 3.0L inline-six turbo B58 in X6 xDrive40i, producing 335 hp at 5,500–6,500 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque at 1,500–5,200 rpm
- 4.4L V8 twin-turbo N63 in M50i, producing 523 hp at 5,500–6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1,800–4,600 rpm
- 4.4L V8 twin-turbo S63 in X6 M, producing 591 hp at 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1,800–5,860 rpm
- 4.4L V8 twin-turbo S63 in X6 M Competition, producing 617 hp at 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque at 1,800–5,860 rpm
As you can see, the entry-level 2021 BMW X6 sDrive40i/xDrive40i is powered by the B58 inline-six that features the 48-volt hybrid system. This engine comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The xDrive40i is capable of a 0-62 mph time of 5.5s, which is mighty impressive for this behemoth of a vehicle weighing over 2 tonnes — 4713 lbs (2137 kg) to be exact.
The mid-range M50i features the same transmission and gets xDrive as standard; its V8 twin-turbo engine propels the car to 62mph in just 4.3 seconds.
These acceleration numbers enter sports car territory once you stick an M badge onto the X6. The X6 M can achieve the feat in 3.8s, while the X6 M Competition demolishes it in 3.7s.
Which Engine Option to Get?
While the base sDrive40i and xDrive40i models lack the raw, jaw-dropping performance that the V8 powered X6s offer, it’s clear that it’s no slouch. It has all the performance you’ll want while costing significantly less than its siblings. Slap an M Performance kit onto it, and you’ll be left with little to desire.
However, if you’re sure the inline-six won’t fulfill your need for speed, the M50i is a considerable step-up that is still notably less expensive than the M-badged X6. If money is no object, then we see no reason why you should inhibit yourself from indulging in the shiploads of power and torque that the X6 M Competition has — it is the most powerful and fastest-accelerating production SUV that BMW has ever made, after all.
Interiors, Design, and Features
It’s evident that BMW has put just as much attention into designing the car’s interior as they did to overhaul its exterior. The cabin utilizes high-quality, double-stitched leather and soft-touch panels, but what will immediately grab your attention are the two large 12.3-inch touchscreen panels. They feature gesture control, which is a novelty feature rather than an intuitive way to use the infotainment system.
The second row of seats is spacious enough for two adults, but the sloping roof has resulted in 2 inches less legroom and 3 inches less headroom compared to the X5 that it is based on. You’ll have to compromise even more further back, with the last row of seats offering lesser room — for passengers and for luggage.
Standard features across all variants include 16-way power-adjustable, heated front seats, ambient lighting, and passive entry. Additionally, you could equip the car with several optional extras, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, a head-up display, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, an updated sound system, and more.
Of all the packages that the company offered on the 2021 BMW X6, we’d recommend the M Sport package that added more aggressive, aerodynamic bodywork, sportier suspension, a performance exhaust system, and an M Sport steering wheel.
Is the 2021 BMW X6 Reliable?
The 2021 BMW X6 has been around for less than a couple of years now, so it’s hard to say if it will be a reliable car in the long run. That said, the engines that power the car are solidly built, especially the newer B58. The BMW N63 engine had its share of problems when it was first introduced alongside the first-gen E71 X6, but that was a while ago. The Bavarians have made significant revisions to the engine, and today, it’s a lot more reliable than it once used to be.
Maintenance and Known Issues
Like with any car or engine, certain aspects will wear out with time. It’s very likely that most 2021 BMW X6 examples out there haven’t breached the 100,000-mile mark, which is typically when the repair bills tend to get longer.
Nevertheless, since you’re in the market for one, here are some things you should look out for in a pre-owned car or expect from one in the future.
Coolant Loss
The B58 is one of BMW’s most reliable inline-six engines and perhaps the finest engine in their current lineup. Some owners have reported that their B58-powered Bimmers tend to lose coolant quicker than usual. The 2021 BMW X6 has two coolant tanks — one for the main radiator and the other for the B58 engine’s air-to-water intercooler — and some owners have found that the coolant levels in the primary unit drop unexpectedly quickly.
If you find yourself dealing with a similar problem, the first thing you should check for is a faulty gasket or a coolant transfer pipe leak. If these components are okay, you may have to get your car inspected by a technician because there may be an underlying issue that’s increasing coolant loss.
Sudden drops in the coolant can result in the engine overheating, which can wear out the internals sooner.
Oil Filter Damage
The bottom of the oil filter on the BMW B58 is known to disintegrate at the bottom. This can result in parts of the oil filter attached to the oil filter housing. By itself, this isn’t a serious issue; however, if the oil filter debris makes its way into the engine, it can result in premature wear.
Check the oil filter housing for any debris when replacing the oil filter. If you do find any problems, you should try and have the housing replaced since the car is still under warranty. If this isn’t an option, manually removing any stuck bits of the oil filter should rectify the issue.
VANOS Solenoids Problem
All the engines that power the 2021 BMW X6 feature the manufacturer’s double VANOS system or variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust. The valve timing is controlled by solenoids that are constantly at work when the engine runs. Unsurprisingly, they are subject to wear and tear and may fail over time. While they’re designed to last over 100,000 miles, they may need replacement sooner on an engine that is run hard.
While the solenoids are pretty inexpensive, having them replaced by a technician or a service center can incur heavy labor costs. This is especially true in the case of the B58, where the timing chain and the solenoids are placed at the back of the engine, making it a little more challenging to access.
If the solenoids fail, it will affect the valve timing, resulting in reduced performance, shaky idling, and VANOS-related DTC codes.
Valve Cover Gasket Failure
The valve cover gasket on the 2021 BMW X6 engines is made of rubber. When exposed to multiple heat cycles, the rubber hardens, and gaskets are no exception. Considering the numerous heat cycles that a valve cover gasket lives through, it’s no surprise that it eventually requires replacement.
A hardened rubber valve cover gasket will eventually crack, which can result in an oil leak. Typically, this should happen only after about 70,000 to 80,000 miles, but it could happen sooner depending on how the engine is run and maintained.
Timing Chain Failure
The dreaded timing chain failure is more common on the V8 engines, the N63, and the S63. These engines feature two timing chains, one for each cylinder bank. With the original N63 engine, there were multiple complaints of the timing chains stretching over time. When this happens, it can result in all kinds of issues ranging from severe to catastrophic.
BMW noticed that this was a problem and redesigned the component on newer iterations of the engine. It’s unlikely that today’s N63 and S63 engines will ever face the issue, but it’s still something you should keep in mind, as replacing a timing chain can be expensive. Typically, one should easily breach the 100,000-mile mark.
Fuel Injector Failure
A more common issue that’s still not uncommon on newer N63 and S63 engines is to do with the fuel injectors. Owners have reported fuel injector failure as early as 20,000 miles, and that’s surprisingly low mileage for them to give out.
A diagnostic center should easily be able to tell the condition of the injection and if any of them need replacement. With each one costing a couple of hundred dollars, it’s worth having them checked on a pre-owned 2021 BMW X6.
Is the 2021 BMW X6 Worth Buying?
The 2021 BMW X6 offers a little less space than the X5 that it’s based on but surpasses it in every other regard while looking much better. It’s just as capable on and off the tarmac and, with help from the M Division, can keep most sportscars in the rearview mirror.
When launched, the 2021 BMW X6 was priced at around $65,050 for the base sDrive40i. The mid-tier X6 M50i would set you back $86,250, while the range-topping X6 M carried a starting price of $108,600. Since this is still a very new car, it’s improbable that you’ll find a great deal even on a pre-owned example. Nevertheless, it’s still an economically better choice than a brand new 2022 BMW X6.
