Ritesh Madhok
The BMW X6 has always been the rebel in BMW’s SUV family. It took the practicality-led idea of an SUV and gave it a coupe-like roofline, a wider stance and a personality that still divides opinions. After being away from India for a while, the X6 has returned, and this time it comes only in the M60i xDrive form. That immediately changes the conversation. This is not a quiet luxury SUV trying to please everyone. It is a big, dramatic, V8-powered performance SUV-coupe aimed at buyers who want presence, pace and a bit of attitude every time they arrive somewhere.
Exteriors
The facelift does not reinvent the X6, and that is actually a good thing. The basic silhouette remains its strongest identity: long bonnet, muscular shoulders, sloping roofline and a rear section that looks more coupe than conventional SUV. BMW has sharpened the details with slimmer lighting, a cleaner front bumper and a more modern grille treatment. The satin-finished exterior elements also work better than heavy gloss-black detailing, giving the X6 a more mature but still aggressive look. From the rear, the updated bumper and tail-lamp signature add width, while the exhaust finishers feel better integrated than before. It still looks large, low-slung and expensive, but also more polished now.
Interiors & features
Step inside and the biggest update is the curved BMW display, which brings the cabin closer to the brand’s latest cars. It combines the digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen in one sweeping layout, with a clean interface and crisp graphics. The dashboard design is familiar rather than completely new, but quality levels remain high. The materials feel premium, the fit and finish are solid, and the M-specific touches add some sportiness without making the cabin look loud. The X6 M60i also gets comfort and convenience features expected at this price point, including powered front seats, ventilation, massage function, a panoramic glass roof, multi-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon sound system and a 360-degree camera. Space is good in the front, while the rear seat is comfortable enough for two adults, though the sloping roofline does eat into the sense of airiness compared to an X5. The boot is usable, but again, this is not the BMW SUV you buy if maximum practicality is the main brief.
Engine & drive
The heart of the X6 M60i is its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance. It produces 530hp and 750Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. BMW claims 0-100kmph in 4.3 seconds and a 250kmph top speed. Those numbers are serious, but the way the X6 delivers them is what makes the experience memorable. It does not feel frantic. Instead, the acceleration is deep, strong and relentless. There is a heavy surge of torque from low revs, the gearbox reacts quickly, and the V8 soundtrack gives the drive an emotional edge that many new-age performance SUVs simply cannot match. In relaxed modes, the X6 can cruise quietly and cover distance with ease. Switch to Sport, and the character changes instantly. Throttle response sharpens, the gearbox holds ratios longer, the steering gains more weight, and the SUV feels far smaller than its size suggests. What stands out is the body control. With adaptive M suspension, rear-wheel steering, an M Sport differential and rear-biased xDrive tuning, the X6 turns in with surprising confidence. It is still a heavy luxury SUV, but it hides its weight impressively well. Fast corners feel stable, quick direction changes are handled neatly, and the chassis encourages you to drive it harder than you normally would in something this large.
Competition
The BMW X6 M60i sits in a niche space. Its natural rivals include the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe, while buyers may also look at the Range Rover Sport, Audi RS Q8 or even BMW’s own X5 depending on what they want. The X5 is more practical, the Porsche is sharper in a purist sense, and the AMG brings its own performance-SUV theatre. But the X6 M60i’s combination of V8 power, coupe-SUV styling and BMW driving balance gives it a very distinct flavour.
Verdict & price
Priced at Rs 1.78 crore, ex-showroom, the BMW X6 M60i is not trying to be the sensible choice. It is less practical than an X5, expensive to buy and clearly built for a specific audience. But that is also its charm. It looks bold, feels special, drives with genuine energy and brings back the joy of a proper V8 in a segment increasingly moving towards downsizing and electrification. For buyers who want a luxury SUV with drama, speed and personality, the X6 M60i remains one of the most characterful options in India.
