DecodedCars2018 BMW X6
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- Xdrive 35i 4dr SUV, Xdrive 50i 4dr SUV, M 4dr SUV AWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 193.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,751–5,324 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 36 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 BMW X6 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,751 lb (Xdrive 35i 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 8% better than the 2018 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 X6 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 X6 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xdrive 35i 4dr SUV | 193.3 in | 78.3 in | 66.9 in | 115.4 in | 64.6 / 66.9 in | 4,751 lb | 49/51 |
| Xdrive 50i 4dr SUV | 193.3 in | 78.3 in | 66.9 in | 115.4 in | 64.6 / 66.9 in | 5,170 lb | 52/48 |
| M 4dr SUV AWD | 193.3 in | 78.3 in | 66.9 in | 115.4 in | 64.6 / 66.9 in | 5,324 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X6 sDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | +8% | $3,900 | 426 |
| X6 xDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +7% | $4,100 | 434 |
| X6 xDrive50i | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -9% | $4,850 | 517 |
| X6 M | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -14% | $5,150 | 549 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 BMW X6.
Similar 2018 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X6 (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Porsche Cayenne | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 BMW X3 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Audi Q7 | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Tesla Model X | 295 mi | Not rated | 9 |
Recalls (4)
Child Seat · Nov 18, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V823000 · 32,760 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2015-2019 X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles equipped with rear seat lower anchor bars used in securing child restraint seats. The lower anchor bars may become damaged over time when used with an ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
- Risk
- Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. Owner notification began January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · Sep 12, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V614000 · 33 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2019 BMW X6 sDrive35i, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6M vehicles. The wheel bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
- Risk
- The improperly tightened wheel bolts may loosen and break, affecting vehicle handling and control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and tighten all of the wheel bolts, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Jun 28, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V439000 · 43 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X6 sDrive35i vehicles. The pivot bolt on the front lower-left control arm may not have been properly hardened, which may cause the control arm to break.
- Risk
- If the lower control arm breaks, vehicle handling and control can be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower-left control arms and replace if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 11, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Suspension · Nov 17, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V727000 · 33 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW X5 SAV, X5 M SAV, X6 SAV, and X6 M SAV vehicles. Bolts that secure the front suspension may not have been properly tightened.
- Risk
- Loose bolts can affect the performance of the suspension, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wishbone suspension bolts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2018 BMW X6 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 BMW X6 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Suspension — 1 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 34,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 BMW X6. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X6 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 X6 | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 X6 | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2025 X6 | 24 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 X6 | 24 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 9 |
| 2023 X6 | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 X6 | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 X6 | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 7 | 7 |
| 2020 X6 | 23 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 11 | 9 |
| 2019 X6 | 20 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 5 |
| 2017 X6 | 21 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2016 X6 | 21 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2015 X6 | 22 | 193.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →