BMW X6 (08 on) - Review

This is a big, luxury car that offers lots of comfort, but only for a maximum of four people. Room up front for both driver and passenger is excellent and there is plenty of space to stretch out but despite the price tag the standard seats are cloth and not leather (except on the 50i) - although they do come with part electric adjustment. BMW X6 comfort levels are compromised by the sloping roofline. That means headroom is restricted in the back where there are two seats with a central console with cup holders and storage area dividing them, but leg and shoulder room is plentiful and the seats provide good support.

As you would expect of a car this size, practicality is good. It's fitted with run flat tyres which means there is no need to carry a spare - as a result there is useful storage under the boot floor which is ideal for stashing muddy boots. The luggage area itself is a good size although the sloping roof line means certain awkward loads might be a struggle to fit in. The rear seats fold down to increase carrying capacity and there are storage areas dotted throughout the car including door bins, cup holders in the front and rear, and a storage tray between the rear passenger seats.

As you would expect from a luxury BMW, the X6 is a comfortable and commanding place to be. You get excellent visibility of the road ahead and the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. The standard seats are cloth covered, which no self-respecting X6 owner is likely to settle for, but at least offer part electric adjustment. The central instruments also house a electronic display for the trip meter, Dynamic Performance Control read-out, fuel range and outside temperature to name a few. The steering wheel is manually-adjustable, there is ambient lighting, electric windows and a single CD player with an input jack for MP3 players. All the main functions for the sat nav and radio can be controlled through the dial on the central console by the gear stick.