The 2018 BMW X6 delivers eye-catching style and good driving dynamics, but is it still an SUV? The 2018 BMW X6 four-door SUV is evolution, baby. It's a tall-riding crossover with a sleek roofline and the wild-child compared to the X5 from which it is based.
Pros Eye-catching style Strong engines Refined interior Decadent options
Cons Compromised rear seat Tight cargo area Hugely expensive Not really all that fun
Unrestrained styling, raucous power, and surprising agility define the X6—although its fastback design limits rear-seat room and cargo space. A 300-hp 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with an eight-speed automatic can be ordered with either rear- or all-wheel drive. An audacious 445-hp 4.4-liter turbo V-8 is optional and comes only with all-wheel drive. The standard Driving Dynamics Control system allows for five distinct driving modes, and an available air suspension provides even more fine-tuning.
Pros Lovely turbo-six thrust, wonderful automatic transmission, handsome interior.
Cons Unlovely styling, ponderous handling.
We'd maximize the sporting aspect with a bit of financial restraint, and opt for the X6 sDrive35i M Sport Design, equipped with Executive Tier and M adaptive suspension. The 3.0-liter turbocharged engine drives just the rear wheels to minimize weight, while the performance tires and adaptive suspension maximize dynamics.
PROS Engines provide strong acceleration Comfortable and quiet ride Quality interior with comfortable front seats
CONS Limited rear headroom Hard to see out the back Sloping roofline cuts down cargo space
Most buyers will be well-served by the GLS 450. It delivers solid performance along with its luxurious cabin, plus it leaves room for customization with numerous options packages.
PROS Spacious third-row seat can accommodate adults Ample acceleration with any powertrain choice Quiet cabin with luxurious trim Available off-road package gives it true capability in the dirt
CONS Many desirable features don't come standard Large price jump from GLS 450 to GLS 550
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS takes an old-school tack to modern-SUV design, and it works.
Pros Lots of room Lots of flexibility Big luxury SUV panache Lots of safety technology on tap AMG–no, really
Cons Dated switchgear COMAND is cumbersome Diesel’s been deleted
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class ranked #2 in Luxury Large SUVs. Currently the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has a score of 8.9 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 38 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Powerful engines Fuel-efficient V6 Handsome, spacious cabin Smooth ride
Cons Fewer standard features than some rivals
