2009 BMW X6 xDrive50i Review (video)

I dreamt of the BMW X6 as a kid, I think
Nameless at the time, my young brain had whipped up an imaginary vehicle I'd someday own. It was truck-hulky, sportscar-sleek, very high-tech, and so radical looking that my friends would be jealous. Under the hood? A race-car engine, of course.

Trying to define the lines between car, SUV and crossover can be like trying to chew your own ear.

Sadly, with access to only a G.I. Joe-bank full of pennies and a box of half-chewed crayons, my creation existed solely as a half-drawn sketch on the kitchen cupboards.

As luck would have it, someone at BMW had the same dream-- and considerably more resources. In 2009, they brought it to life and named it the X6.

4 confused doors
Trying to define the lines between car, SUV and crossover can be like trying to chew your own ear- frustrating and impossible. That's largely the case here.

The roof-line and four-seat configuration say 'coupe', though the tall body, all wheel drive and rugged stance are taken straight from SUV-land.

In back, it gets pleasantly weirder. There's a high-performance coupe or hatchback shape with a subtle integrated spoiler, but it's so tall it comes up to chest-level. Don't miss the monstrous rectangular dual-outlet exhaust piercing through the corners of the bumper, either.

Striking, flexible cabin
Trimmed in purple Nevada leather and dark swirl-brushed accents, the cabin blends luxury-sedan opulence with a touch of avant-garde flare. Colors and textures impart a sophisticated atmosphere, and rear seats fold as needed for additional capacity. The trunk is generous, and there's a handy, lockable under-floor storage bin as well.

You'll probably find more space in a proper SUV-- though X6 should happily haul four people and their gear. There's generous at-hand storage for front seat occupants, thanks to several covered compartments and door-mounted bins.

The cabin blends luxury-sedan opulence with a touch of avant-garde flare.