Isn't that the niche that the X5 is already supposed to fill?
Ah. But the Cayenne stole that market. Thus, BMW counters with an even more pointless vehicle.
I recognize the sheer insanity/inanity/idiocy of the idea of having a 2+2 sports coupe ride six feet off the ground, but the execution itself is brilliant.
Yes, the Cayenne has the X6 completely beaten on interior ambience, but the X6 comes in at a good price point (not much more than the X5) and works very well. I've driven it back to back with a 6-series (itself a pointless car), and it drives just as well... or better... depending on the situation. The X6 just feels much more lithe than a Cayenne (bar, I suppose, the expensive GTS, but I haven't driven that one in anger) and looks much less like a squatting frog... which is about the only objection I have to the Porsche truck.
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Yes, the X5 should handle as well with the same specs... which would require widening the track, lowering the vehicle, and lopping a few inches off the roof.
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I know the X6 is a love it / hate it affair. And I'm as anti-SUV as the next guy. Can't stand them. But I absolutely love the X6. Simply because it feels nothing like an SUV.
Both BMW SUVs feel more like old-fashioned muscle cars... but with tighter dynamics. Yes, the 5-series is a much better driver's car than either, but I've never really liked the looks of the current 5, even in M5 form... and the 7-series drives like crap compared to the X5. So do many "cars".
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But there is no way in hell anyone could honestly give a utilitarian reason for buying an X5/X6/Cayenne/Whatever over, say, a Toyota Landcruiser (if you actually need to go off-road) or a seven-seat minivan (if you don't). These purchases are made simply because you have the money and you want one.
Where the Cayenne beat the X5 here was that it was a more desirable nameplate... never mind the weird looks... which made sales. The X6 brings more drama to the equation... whether such silly season cars can survive a financial crisis, I don't know, but if people can justify a V8 Hemi "muscle car" that handles like a boat and gets roughly the same fuel consumption by saying the sound and looks make them feel good, suffice to say, a twin-turbodiesel straight six X6 has both the verve and looks to make
me feel good.
I know, as being one of those who formerly despised the words "weight", "power" and "size", this is somewhat hypocritical, but sue me, sportscars and sportscar buying are almost entirely subjective.
