BMW's Active Driving Assistant is standard.Apple CarPlay is standard but on a subscription basis.Is the 2019 BMW X6 M a gigantic sports car or an ultra-sporty luxury SUV? The answer is "both" but also "neither." It's an automotive curio that exists outside typical car and SUV segments and defies traditional car-buying advice. But for those who do "get it," the X6 M won't disappoint.
PROS Performance is astonishing for an SUV High-quality interior packed with features Seats are comfortable and supportive
CONS Distinctive exterior design limits rear-seat room and cargo space Sporty suspension may feel too firm for some drivers and passengers Power delivery can feel overcaffeinated in regular driving
The X6 M is a style item: it has sleek lines, a plush interior, and a coveted badge on the hood. It’s also stunningly quick and handles more like a sports car than anything that weighs 5000 pounds has any right to. It’s powered by a 567-hp twin-turbo V-8. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard, and up to 100 percent of torque can be routed to either the front or rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. It’s less practical than the boxy X5 M, but it’ll turn more heads.
Pros Blistering performance, commanding seating position.
Cons Harsh ride, constricted cargo space.
The BMW X6 M is a large SUV with a coupe body that offers sports car handling with all the practicality of a big 4×4.Driving is where the X6 M not only impresses but even amazes – there is endless grip and you rarely feel the 2.3-tonne weight of the car.
Pros Astonishingly fast High-quality interior Great engine
Cons Little bit of road noise A tad firm Not cheap
“The Velar plugs a gap in, er, Land Rover's range of Range Rovers. It's bigger than the Evoque but smaller than the Sport ”
PROS Achingly stylish inside and out. Improved engines and plug-in option make the heavy-duty bits more competitive. Relaxed and refined, yet unusually superb off-road.
CONS Infotainment screen not quite Land Rover’s latest and greatest. Expensive once you start speccing it
The Range Rover Velar is a stylish, refined and seriously appealing coupé SUV. If you keep to small wheels, it's a comfy companion while our favoured S trim gets plenty of kit. It’s best to stick to the cheaper trims and engines – once you start moving up the range, the price rises into the realms of better-resolved cars, such as the Audi Q8 and BMW X6.
PROS Decent economy with diesels and plug-in Smooth and punchy D300 engine Good off road
CONS Average rear leg room Wallowy handling Some cheap plastics inside