2014 BMW X6 M 4.4L xDrive V8 8AT AWD (575 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Despite being an unusual-looking crossover, the X6 M was a vehicle that felt at home on a winding road, on a race track, or in parking in front of a school.

When BMW introduced the first generation of the X6, it started the trend of the SUV-coupe. Even though many people complained about the vehicle’s design, they all agreed that it was built excellently. Sure, there were some issues with the interior room and other bits and pieces. But none of them were targeted toward the car’s driving dynamics. And then, when customers got used to the X6’s performance, they got this: the M version.

While most of the car’s body parts were the same as in the regular X6, there were a few things that were different. For instance, the front lower bumper featured a larger center grille flanked by two functional side scoops. Then, behind the front wheel arches were vents that extracted the air trapped in the wheel well. But the automaker didn’t want to overdo things and didn’t adorn the sloped-back tailgate with a roof spoiler. It placed a small lip lower, not to increase the downforce but to keep the wide taillights clean from dust and debris while driving at high speeds.

Inside, BMW prepared a cabin fit for up to five adults with front high-bolstered seats. In addition, the automaker offered a few trims and materials options. On the instrument cluster, the classic BMW four dials display was complemented by a small display for the onboard computer. The iDrive infotainment system was placed atop the center stack and controlled via a rotary knob and six buttons housed on the center stack. In the back, the sloped-back roofline affected the headroom for the rear-seated passengers.

But the magic happened under the car’s skin. A 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged engine sent its twisting force via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive system was standard.