2010 BMW X6

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 X6's interior is luxurious and hi-tech -- befitting a BMW. The seats are comfortable, though some test drivers complain about the cramped backs seat. Reviewers' praise is also tempered by complaints about the complex cockpit controls.

• "The X6's interior is attractive and functional, with a handsome mix of black soft-touch materials, leather and low-gloss trim." -- Detroit Free Press
• "The X6 is a serenely quiet highway cruiser, with virtually no wind noise, little road noise and only muted sounds from under the hood." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
• "Inside the sporty and luxurious passenger cabin, the X6 offers a unique synthesis of luxury, sporting dynamics and style. The X6 offers occupants an elevated, commanding seating position." -- Minneapolis Star Tribune
• "The X6's cabin is something of a dichotomy. The severe dashboard angles and technology-laden center console -- which features a joystick-style gear selector for the automatic transmission and the iDrive control knob -- might be intimidating to some drivers, but the rich, upscale materials like wood, aluminum and soft leather, invite you in [in] a way that the design might not." -- Cars.com

Seating

Reviewers are very pleased with the X6's front seats, but complain about the more cramped rear, which features very little headroom because of the X6's coupe-like styling. The rear seats only two passengers, which is quite unusual for an SUV of any size. Leather upholstery is standard. A $2,100 active ventilated seat package provides ventilated front seats, which blow warm or cool air through small perforations in the leather. Heated front and rear seats are available with the $1,250 Cold Weather Package, which also comes with a heated steering wheel.

For more spacious rear seats, consider the Lexus RX 350 or Cadillac SRX, which both cost nearly $20,000 less than the X6 and have rear cabins that are better received by the automotive press.

• "Well-bolstered bucket seats provide plenty of support for any driving situation. A padded knee rest for both front passengers is a nice touch. Legroom is good, but headroom is tight, particularly when the seats are raised." -- Consumer Guide
• "Surprisingly, it's actually quite roomy inside. The back seat of the X6 loses just 0.7 inches of legroom and 1.8 inches of headroom compared with an X5, but it's still plenty to comfortably accommodate a couple of six-foot-plus occupants." -- Car and Driver
• "There's decent legroom in the backseat, but the X6's sloping roof noticeably encroaches on headroom. The rear door openings and the position of the bucket seats make graceful exits difficult." -- Cars.com
• "Bottom line; this vehicle isn't designed for someone who needs to carry people often. It's more of a personal vehicle with additional seating for those occasional times you have friends or family around." -- GayWheels.com

Interior Features

Reviewers appreciate the high number and quality of standard features in the X6. These include power-adjustable driver's and passenger's seats, a two-way power glass moonroof, automatic front climate control and a 10-speaker sound system among others. However, the X6's already steep price can inflate considerably with options.

The $2,000 Technology Package provides a navigation system with voice activation and real-time traffic information, as well as a rearview camera. A rear-seat DVD and sound system is available for $1,700. A $2,000 Premium Sound Package comes with an iPod adapter and six-disc CD/DVD changer -- but reviewers report that it may not be worth the money.

Reviewers also consistently complain about the complicated iDrive system, which controls all information and entertainment features. However, most of the infotainment systems in this price range are also quite complicated.

• "Upfront you have iDrive to deal with, the knob in the console that's supposed to serve as the brain for any and all controls and settings. Your kid can explain it to you, providing your kid is Bill Gates." -- Chicago Tribune
• "The quality of the audio in the X6 was surprisingly underwhelming, as we had the premium audio option. This system uses 16 speakers, including subwoofers under each front seat and five sets of mids and tweeters around the cabin, with one set serving as a center fill." -- CNET
• "The dreaded iDrive controller now has lost its ability to give force-feedback, making it even less intuitive than before." -- Automobile Magazine
• "The sound system's high- and low-end response left a bit to be desired, though. Despite the X6's price, the one I tested had only a line-in jack for iPods." -- Detroit Free Press
• "X6 mirrors the X5 SUV for control layout, with most functions governed by BMW's iDrive console knob and center dashtop display. Using iDrive for audio and climate controls becomes second nature once users become familiar with its operation. The navigation system, though, remains among the more complex to decipher and program. The available head-up instrument display can show navigation route guidance -- a nice convenience." -- Consumer Guide

Cargo

Reviewers generally find that the X6 offers a surprising amount of cargo room for its small size. However, it doesn't provide the utility of many midsize SUVs. It provides 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in place or 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. That's more than some competitors (including the BMW X5 and Infiniti FX). However, for more practical amounts of cargo room, consider the Acura MDX, which boasts 42.9 cubic feet behind its second-row seats.

Cargo features include a retractable cargo cover, dual cupholders in the front and rear and a front-seat center console with storage compartment. An automatic opening and closing tailgate is available with the $2,200 Premium Package, which also includes two cargo rails, multi-function hooks and a storage net.

• "X6's hatchback design affords more cargo room than a traditional coupe or sedan. The cargo hold extends back a good amount, but it's not very tall. A large under-floor storage area is welcome, and the lid has a convenient strut to support it." -- Consumer Guide
• "[D]espite my complaints about the X6's lack of utility, the truth is, I was able to haul a dishwasher in the cargo area as well as a bunch of other cargo." -- Automobile Magazine
• "While the sleek styling and rear sport seating limit the X6 to a four-seater, it does have surprising cargo capacity and with the two rear seats folded down, a trip to Costco or the swap meet won't be cause for any embarrassment." -- GayWheels.com