Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £42,390 to £53,930
Admirable road-holding abilities, high-driving position, sporty styling.
Poor rearward visibility, cramped in the back, expensive to run, only four seats.
The X6 looks like a compromise - and it is. Despite delivering in terms of driveability and desirability, it's not a hugely practical car.
The xDrive 35d uses BMW's 3.0-litre diesel engine, first introduced on the BMW 5-Series 535d, which isn't short of grunt, delivering 286bhp and 428lb-ft of torque at 1,750rpm. It will sprint from 0-60mph in just under 7 seconds - not too shabby for something that weighs almost the same as its X5 sister model.
However, don't get too excited - the power delivery isn't sporty and as much as BMW tells us that this is a 'Sports Activity Vehicle', don't expect to start breaking Nordschleife lap times in it. The engine is a bit grumbly when you push it, but once up to speed it cruises along quite happily and, with the high driving position, you do feel you are going slower than you actually are.
There's an ample amount of grip and it inspires confidence on cornering, with body roll nicely reined in. Steering is perfectly weighted and quick, too. Overall, this is a very controlled and composed vehicle.
And then there's the V8...
The X6 xDrive 50i V8 twin-turbo is a monster - and sounds like one. Depress the throttle and you are propelled forward at an obscene rate. From a standstill, the needle will pass 60mph in 5.4 seconds - and you'll know it, because you can hear the V8 growling remorselessly as it chomps away on the Tarmac ribbon in front of you. If you like, you can continue your charge until you get to an electronically limited 155mph. It delivers a massive 408bhp and 443lb-ft of torque at 1,750rpm. It really is a lot of drama for a 4x4.
Handling-wise, it's similar to the diesel. It grips the road nicely and doesn't kick up too much of a fuss if you throw it into corners with gusto. It's prone to understeer, but if you are expecting handling similar to that of a skittish low-centre-of-gravity sports car, then you'll be disappointed.
The paddle-shift system is also a joy to use and the auto is smooth and unclunky, with immediate response. Pull the metal paddle towards you and it shifts up; push it forward and you'll shift down. It's also smooth, blipping the throttle down to the required revs when changing down, almost mirroring a heel-and-toe exponent.
