Cabin comfort and features
Based on the X5, the X6 shares plenty of bits from its legendary elder brother. There are ample similarities between the two Goliaths. The double deck side air vents for the A/C, the center console, the small glove box with its outwards opening twin flap lid, position of the Start/Stop button and the layout of the BMW Connectdrive Gear, everything validates the connection between the two biggest members of the BMW family.
Key differences in places where you would have expected similarity include a bigger central screen operating on a more modern version of the iDrive system, a sportier, chunkier looking steering wheel with pedal shifter, and a few extra buttons on the dash. In addition to modifications made to the X5’s cabin, the X6 also features a whole plethora of new features which make it look like a more modern and sophisticated machine from inside.
As you’d expect from such a big vehicle, the front seats are amazingly comfortable. They’re wide, very well cushioned with great lumbar support and with the optional Comfort Pack would take you hundreds of miles without any fatigue. With the Comfort Pack, the sheer number of permutations and combinations you get to adjust your seat is simply mind boggling. You get 4-way lumbar adjustment, thigh support extender, seat height and angle adjuster, headrest adjustment and a few more! Hell, you have the option to recline only the upper half of the backrest as well! Thanks to the fact that the roofline forms a crest over the front seats, the front occupants get decent headroom. It slopes thereafter, reducing the available headroom for the back benchers though.
As regards storage space, the front door panels don’t have specific slots for bottles, but are wide enough to accommodate a bottle or two. You have two transversely laid out cup holders with a small coin compartment ahead of them. Both these storage spaces can be covered with a movable lid. The central armrest has twin flaps and offers a decent amount of storage space beneath. Then there is the rather small glove compartment and another small coin box between the central armrest and the iDrive unit. For the back benchers, the central armrest features two cupholders.
As regards luggage carrying capacity, the X6 can accommodate 570 litres of luggage, extendable to 1,450 litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down. The loading lip, however, at just a little less than a meter above the ground is quite high for easy loading and unloading of stuff.
As always, there is no faulting the time tested BMW build quality and amazingly well sorted ergonomics. The audio system sounds great and is capable of playing music via CDs, DVDs, Aux-in, Bluetooth or USB. Optional entertainment package for the back benchers installs a big screen at the back, replete with a remote control and video input to allow the backseat passengers have their own bit of fun.
Going towards the backseat, the space for the knees and legs doesn’t leave anything to complain about. Seats are extremely comfortable and short to medium built occupants should not have any problem with the space. The dropping roofline along with the high window sills does create a cramped feel at the rear though, and taller passengers would often find their heads rubbing with the roof.
Other features such as reading lights, coat hooks, parcel tray, push button boot-lid movement, a high mount brake light, cameras all round (option), automatic headlamps, window blinds, two zone climate control and a reasonably big sunroof complete the features list of the X6.
The X6 is quite liberally equipped. However, as always, most of the fancy stuff we journos get on the test vehicles is an optional extra which costs quite a lot of money. For a detailed list of all such items please refer to the features, specs and options list below.
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