BMW didn’t create the X6 to pad its bottom line. Like the Z4 roadster, 6 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and Cabriolet, and new i8,

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not to mention all of its M-badged models, the X6 is a niche image building model that shines its halo across the rest of the brand’s meat and potato vehicles, although to be fair to the Munich-base automaker its core models are more chateaubriand and truffled potato gratin than the usual commoner’s stew.

The X6 has had few challengers since it came into fruition in 1997, the rival most often mocked being Acura’s ZDX, a vehicle I happened to really like for its boldness and clean, uncluttered lines from the outside in. It was considered a slow seller, and while it slid down the sales chart as its four model years came to an end, its initial Canadian numbers weren’t that much lower than X6 sales with 863 sold in 2010 compared

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to 1,017 X6s for BMW, whereas the unorthodox coupe-like German CUV only found 897 buyers last year. A redesigned X6 arrived during 2014 as a 2015 model and looks to be gaining back its popularity, with 986 delivered this calendar year as of October and two months left to potentially beat its 2011 record of 1,140 units, despite yet another wannabe competitor in the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe going head-to-head since August, but even if it breaks that previous high-point, X6 sales will continue to pale against the 4,219 X5s sold within the same 10 months, and that more conventional crossover SUV’s best-ever 2014 sales of 5,470 units.

That’s

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what I love about BMW, however, they’re not afraid to take risks. It’s these caution to the wind rolls of the dice Munich continues to gamble with that keeps fans of the brand on their collective toes, the X6 followed up by the smaller X4 in similar fashion to how the segment-first 4 Series Gran Coupe resulted from the popularity of the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the success of most BMW creations no doubt causing competitors to shrug in chagrined acceptance that anything wearing the blue and white roundel will be a winner, but of course we’re all very aware of BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo which, while wonderfully innovative, fell flat on its fascia; at least the 3 Series GT continues.

BMW is not alone in its ability to create and occupy market niches, its main rival from

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Stuttgart just as capable and similarly successful. They both fill far more luxury and performance cracks, crannies and razor-thin cavities than their premium branded rivals, which is undoubtedly an expensive exercise although it certifies that each and every client will have their unique individual desires and requirements satisfied, while as noted this practice continues to breed killer brand images that upstart luxury challengers can’t even hope to compete with.

The X6 appears to be back on track when it comes to getting its thick meaty slice of the ultra-thin five-door luxury crossover coupe market. It’s all due to fresh new styling that pulls inspiration from the recently reshaped X5, with a stronger front fascia wearing BMW’s new signature headlights that seamlessly flank the outer edges of its reworked twin kidney grille, as well as more masculine fender swells, shapely

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body sides and a decidedly more curvaceous rump featuring a more interesting set of LED-infused tail lamps. The details are particularly nice, from the organically shaped ductwork on the lower front valance to the deeply sculpted bodylines, some of which flow out of the side engine vents, and my favourite element on this particular model, the glossed grey rear bumper cap with its big fat rectangular chromed exhaust pipes. Even more imposing are its wickedly wide 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT performance rubber circling a sensational set of machine-finish Y-shaped twinned five-spoke M Sport rims, although the X6 is such a large ute that a set of 22s wouldn’t look out of place. Yes, it continues to be a standout design, but compared to my previous 2015 tester that was detailed out in satin silver this 2016 model gets a chromed grille

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with glossy black trim bits due to its optional M Sport package treatment, therefore drawing more attention to its gorgeous Flamenco Red metallic paint.

While the updated X6 is fresh and even more aggressive than the original design, I can no longer say it’s totally unique within its own Sports Activity Coupe segment, because Mercedes’ GLE Coupe is disappointingly similar. Of course, BMW will always have our respect for originating the concept, but years ago when Munich decided to come out with their own version of the four-door coupe, a segment that was created by M-B, the 6 Series Gran Coupe looked completely different than the CLS originator. I only wish Merc had been as respectful.

Behind the base X6′ stylish fascia is a carryover 3.0-litre inline-six that produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque thanks in part to twin-scroll turbocharging and direct injection, the net result being a 6.4-second sprint from 0 to 100km/h and a

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limited terminal velocity of 210 km/h (130 mph). While I personally like this base powerplant very much I must admit to enjoying the xDrive50i even more, and why not as its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 puts out an intoxicating 445 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque that makes for deceptively quick 4.8-second blasts from naught to 100km/h and a much more autobahn-like top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) when fitted with its optional performance tires. That’s 45 more horsepower and 29 lb-ft of addition torque over the first-generation X6 xDrive50i, by the way, while in harmony with the reworked engine’s higher dose of energy comes a wonderfully expressive exhaust note, beginning with a guttural rumbling that increases

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to a sonorous albeit subdued bellow as revs ramp up to redline, the mechanical noise nearly as exciting as the accompanying speed.

BMW also fitted a new eight-speed automatic between engine and driveline, which delivers lightning quick shifts that are also incredibly smooth, unless you’ve swapped out of Comfort or Normal mode to Sport or better yet, Sport+, which makes each flick of the steering wheel-mounted paddles purposefully felt from the backside in firm, positive increments. Engaging Sport will also enhance the adaptive suspension, minimizing roll, pitch and dive and therefore allowing a tighter more controlled fast-paced drive on smooth surfaces.

As

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you might expect it’s no slouch in the corners, the X6 unbelievably adept at straightening and flattening a curving, undulating stretch of tarmac. The twin-turbo V8 under hood is so strong that a good set of legs is critical, it’s handling prowess becoming a matter that’s as much about enjoyment as it is about safely getting you around each bend, especially if the road isn’t bone dry. You might think your sports or muscle car is fast, but beware that an otherwise quiet business suited type in an X6 might embarrass you if an attempt to smoke him or her off the light is attempted, and when you’re both targeting the same cloverleaf there’s just no need to try to get ahead because you’ll have your tail ridden all the way around if you do. While I don’t mess with those who want to road

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race unless it’s on a track, I’m well aware of how an X6 will measure up to most of today’s performance models. This CUV’s capability along a snaking back road will astound you, and the best part is that it’s easy for a moderate to good driver to get a lot out of it, unlike the aforementioned muscle cars that require real drifting expertise to exact the most from, and even then can’t fully measure up unless in their top trim levels. The best thing about the X6 is that it delivers all of its amazing performance capabilities within a vehicle that sits high above traffic, thus allowing great frontal visibility albeit not the best rearward sightlines when compared to an X5.

As usual I kept my eyes on the mirrors much of the time, that is when I wasn’t distracted

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by the X6’s stunning new interior. BMW finished my tester’s cabin in a sharp looking two-tone black and camel beige motif with contrast-stitched leather covering almost everything that wasn’t enhanced by polished hardwood inlays, piano black lacquered wood, and high-quality metals. The expected soft-touch synthetics surfaced anything remaining, right down to the bottom of each door panel, while all of the X6’s interior detailing was beautifully executed, including the high quality, tight fitting, well damped switchgear. This is now expected from BMW, however, which in my opinion now makes the best interiors in the luxury sector.

Ditto for its graphic displays. The X6’s customizable primary gauge package is bright, clear and easily legible. It’s comprised of a 10.25-inch high-resolution TFT screen that’s so acutely high-definition that it’s difficult to differentiate from analog.

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The infotainment display atop the centre stack is also amongst the best in the biz, while the iDrive system within and rotating controller that allows access combine for one of the easier systems to figure out despite being packed full of useful features.

That infotainment display and the aforementioned multifunction gauge package are standard with the X6 xDrive50i, as is an extremely accurate navigation system and very helpful rearview camera, while additional standard features include adaptive HID headlamps with LED corona rings, LED fog lights, aluminum running boards, 20-inch alloys, BMW’s Lights Package that features door exit lights and handle-area

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illumination which light up the entryway for 20 seconds when the doors are unlocked, soft-close doors, pushbutton ignition, auto-dimming interior and side mirrors, a heatable powered tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped multifunction sport steering wheel, dual-zone auto HVAC, a hi-fi audio system with two subwoofers located under the driver and front passenger seats, powered and heated front sport seats with memory, a powered moonroof, front and rear parking sonar, a universal remote garage door opener, a powered liftgate, rear privacy glass, BMW Assist emergency call, an alarm system, a full allotment of safety gear, no-charge scheduled maintenance and more for $83,700 plus freight and dealer fees, which remains $14,300 more than the base X6 xDrive35i that starts at $69,400 plus freight, despite the price climbing slightly for 2016.

My test model also came with Premium Package Enhanced that for $7,600 included all of the features from the $1,900 less expensive Premium Package Essential

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including active LED headlights with high-beam assist, proximity sensing Comfort Access to go along with the X6′ standard pushbutton ignition, head-up display, Comfort front seats with power-adjustable lumbar support, heatable rear seats, four-zone auto climate control, rear side window sunshades, a storage compartment package including a track system with movable tie-downs for harnessing cargo, and satellite radio along with Harmon/Kardon audio, although my tester’s stereo was further upgraded to an outrageously good 16-speaker, 1,200-watt $4,900 Bang & Olufsen system, whereas the Enhanced portion of this upgraded package adds a 360-degree surround view monitor that added confidence when backing up, active blind spot detection, lane departure and collision warning.

This fully featured Premium Package Enhanced upgrade effectively replaces last year’s

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Driver Assistance package, although the active seatbelts are a $2,500 extra, while the lesser upgrade absorbs the old separate BMW ConnectedDrive Services package, which still includes internet access, BMW Online and BMW Apps, advanced real-time traffic info, remote services, and concierge services.

With either of the two Premium Packages chosen you can also opt for the $2,500 Nappa Leather Premium Seating package, which my tester included. This is carryover from last year and either comes with a combination of black and Ivory White or black and Cognac Exclusive hides, mine featuring the latter as you’ll likely remember, plus an anthracite roofliner, while summertime seat comfort benefits from forced ventilation.

BMW has dropped last year’s X6 Individual package, which offered the choice of 10 exterior colours, three wood trims (one piano black), BMW Individual backlit doorsills, an Alcantara roofliner in anthracite, and a unique set of 20-inch V-spoke alloys, but its $2,900 M Sport package continues forward, as those in the know will already realize from my previous description of my tester’s high-gloss black exterior detailing. BMW dubs it high-gloss "Shadowline" and it suits the M Sport package’s other upgrades nicely, which include unique front and rear bumpers, exclusive side sills that eliminate the standard running boards, the choice of three 20-inch alloy wheel designs on performance tires, an adaptive M Suspension, an M leather sport steering wheel, an anthracite roofliner and a black ceramic iDrive controller.

Additionally, there’s no shortage of standalone options if the latter packages aren’t enough or you’d rather mix and match, the black ceramic iDrive controller I just mentioned going for $575 on its own, the ventilated front seats for $800, the Dynamic Adaptive Suspension for $3,500, BMW’s Comfort Adaptive Suspension for $1,500, active steering for $1,650, speed limit info for $350, park assist for $450, night

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vision with pedestrian detection for $2,500, Driving Assistant Plus for $2,500, convenience telephony with extended smartphone connectivity for $600, a ski and snowboard bag for $395, and a rear entertainment system with two high-resolution screens integrated in the rear seatbacks for $1,950.

I shouldn’t forget to add X6 M specification to that list too, which includes numerous styling enhancements and go-fast features plus 21-inch rims wrapped in 285/35 front and 325/30 rear rubber, all topped off by a specially tuned version of the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 575 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque resulting in a 4.2-second dash to 100km/h. I tested this powertrain in the X5 M last year and was thoroughly impressed, so I imagine it’s even more entertaining in the X6.

Independent of available X6 features, most people should find the front seats as comfortable and accommodating as can be, whereas those in the rear should also be adequately cared for unless particularly tall. BMW carves out the descending roofline in order to improve rear headroom, while leg, hip, elbow and shoulder room should be ample for two adult passengers in back. Additional good news is more cargo space since the 2015 redesign, the area behind the standard 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatbacks now measuring 580 litres (20.5 cubic feet) while volume expands to 1,525 litres (53.8 cubic feet) when all seats are laid flat, so don’t going saying the X6 isn’t practical.

On that note it’s also fairly efficient for such a sporty CUV, with its five-cycle EnerGuide fuel economy rating coming in at 13.0 L/100km city, 8.9 highway and 11.1 combined for the X6 xDrive35i, and 16.0 city, 10.9 highway and 13.7 combined for the X6 xDrive50i. This, of course, has much to do with BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies that combine lightweight construction and aerodynamic principles with the aforementioned eight-speed transmission that includes

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an Eco Pro mode to help to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent if engaged, plus an auto start-stop system that shuts the engine off when it would otherwise be idling. Additionally a coasting function decouples the drivetrain from the engine under light loads between speeds of 50 and 160 km/h, while a Route-Ahead Assistant works with the navigation system to provide tips on where you can ease off the throttle and still maintain speed, plus a similar Eco Pro Route feature uses nav info to provide fuel-efficient trip management. It’s all impressive kit that’s almost as fun to use as the X6 xDrive50i’s gripping performance.

It would be nice to think that the majority of X6 buyers appreciate the length BMW has gone to make its tailpipe emissions as clean as possible and reduce fuel consumption, and while there are many who will be happy to know these details there will be others who’ll simply add throttle as necessary and pour premium unleaded into the tank as quickly as required. To each his or her own, and fortunately BMW addresses both personality types as ideally as the X6 addresses the need for a practical SUV with the desire for a performance-oriented sports coupe. It might be a niche vehicle, but the X6 continues to play a big role with BMW’s core enthusiasts.
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