I know, I’ve said it many times before, but the controversially-styled BMW X6 looks to me like a direct cousin of the late Pontiac Aztek, only much better executed. In both cases, the long, arching roofline stretches all the way to the rear bumper and makes for nightmarish rearward visibility. What’s more, both the X6 and Aztek can be viewed as oversized variants of traditional crossover SUVs.
Of course, the comparison ends right there. Unlike the American, the German-bred X6 carries bold styling and raw sex appeal. Countless eyes dissect its every curve and other drivers on the highway make a point of slowing down just to further admire the beast. Believe me, I’ve never experienced anything quite like that behind the wheel of the Aztek!
The new ActiveHybrid model only adds minor cosmetic changes, including a light blue paint and unique alloy wheels. Obviously, you can’t miss the bulging hood, made this way to accommodate the extra hardware. It’s sort of the automotive equivalent of the Hunchback of Notre Dame but the other way around, which creates an unbalanced look up front as if the hood was too short.
Stepping inside proves challenging, especially in the back where the dramatic roof arch threatens to hit the noggin of anyone above six feet tall. Despite all this, the passenger quarters remain totally comfortable and exceptionally well configured, not to mention comprehensively equipped. Expect to find BMW’s new and improved iDrive interface along with a hybrid drive display that motivates the driver to save as much fuel as possible.
Two adults will enjoy remarkable comfort in the back, although they won’t see much of the road due to tapered side windows. As for the cargo area, I found it high and tough to access, which is a shame considering its sizeable luggage capacity.
Hybrid 101
The beauty of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, naturally, lies in a unique hybrid powertrain developed through a partnership with other automakers, most notably GM. The Bavarian company offers a whole new definition, though. "ActiveHybrid" means delivering even more power (as if the burly 4.4L V8 didn’t produce enough already) while helping protect Mother Nature.
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| BMW X6 looks to me like a direct cousin of the late Pontiac Aztek, only much better executed. (Photo: Andrew Pawliuk/Auto123.com) |
Of course, the comparison ends right there. Unlike the American, the German-bred X6 carries bold styling and raw sex appeal. Countless eyes dissect its every curve and other drivers on the highway make a point of slowing down just to further admire the beast. Believe me, I’ve never experienced anything quite like that behind the wheel of the Aztek!
The new ActiveHybrid model only adds minor cosmetic changes, including a light blue paint and unique alloy wheels. Obviously, you can’t miss the bulging hood, made this way to accommodate the extra hardware. It’s sort of the automotive equivalent of the Hunchback of Notre Dame but the other way around, which creates an unbalanced look up front as if the hood was too short.
Stepping inside proves challenging, especially in the back where the dramatic roof arch threatens to hit the noggin of anyone above six feet tall. Despite all this, the passenger quarters remain totally comfortable and exceptionally well configured, not to mention comprehensively equipped. Expect to find BMW’s new and improved iDrive interface along with a hybrid drive display that motivates the driver to save as much fuel as possible.
Two adults will enjoy remarkable comfort in the back, although they won’t see much of the road due to tapered side windows. As for the cargo area, I found it high and tough to access, which is a shame considering its sizeable luggage capacity.
Hybrid 101
The beauty of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, naturally, lies in a unique hybrid powertrain developed through a partnership with other automakers, most notably GM. The Bavarian company offers a whole new definition, though. "ActiveHybrid" means delivering even more power (as if the burly 4.4L V8 didn’t produce enough already) while helping protect Mother Nature.
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| My biggest disappointment, though, comes from the fact that the ActiveHybrid X6 fails to deliver on its promise of fuel economy. (Photo: Andrew Pawliuk/Auto123.com) |