New 2025 BMW X6 M sport 30d Review Interior Exterior

Going into its sixth year in production, the 2025 BMW X6 continues as a slope-roofed alternative to the traditionally shaped X5 SUV, trading a little cargo capacity and some rear-passenger headroom for a more rakish—if still polarizing—profile. The interior follows the BMW playbook, blending quality, luxury grade materials with fashionable design, and a suite of modern technology features anchored by a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. A lively 375-horsepower turbocharged inline-six serves as the base engine in the xDrive40i trim, while a 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 steps in for duty in the higher-performance M60i. Both engines deliver power to the pavement via an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. If 523 hp doesn’t quite scratch the itch, the BMW X6 M, which we review separately, is on tap with 617 hp and a razor-sharp chassis. While it’s true that the X6 was instrumental in the emergence of the luxury “crossover coupe” class, it no longer stands alone, with models like the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe vying for the same buyers.

Significantly refreshed for 2024, the 2025 X6 gets some minor tech-based updates. BMW’s Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistant is now available on the X6 as part of the Driving Assistance Professional Package. Starting with vehicles built in March 2024 or later, the system will include Active Lane Change with eye activation that initiates the lane change by looking at the corresponding rear-view mirror. (It will not be available on X6 M.) Once we drive this new system, we'll let you know how well it works in the real world. BMW’s Comfort Access with the BMW Digital Key Plus, which unlocks the doors as you approach and adjusts seating and steering wheel positions for the driver preferences, will be integrated into the My BMW App for keyless functionality. BMW Maps navigation and the My BMW App system also feature several updates, including updated map view and routing. To increase interest and awareness in its EV models among current owners of gas-powered BMWs, the app now also includes an E-mobility Analysis function that scrutinizes the driver’s behavior then proposes the BMW EV model most suited to them should they be ready to trade in for a new EV.

The X6's interior doesn’t stray far from the look and feel of most of the current BMW lineup. That means upscale materials and soft-touch surfaces abound, and two large 12.3-inch digital displays dominate the dashboard. While the instrument panel looks slick, we'd like it if the gauges were presented in a more conventional manner. Thankfully, the optional head-up display is straightforward. The rest of the switchgear is also smartly laid out. BMW's gesture controls—which enable you to control certain functions such as audio volume by waving your hand in front of the infotainment screen—are included but unnecessary. Plenty of standard amenities are offered, too, including 16-way power-adjustable front seats, customizable ambient lighting, heated front cushions, and passive entry. While the back seat is comfortable for two adults, its legroom and headroom shrink by about two and three inches, respectively, compared with the boxier X5. Likewise, the X6 has less cargo volume behind the rear seats. In our test, it only held nine carry-on suitcases back there; the X5 handled 11.