BMW X5 vs X6
The BMW X5 and X6 occupy an important place in the BMW lineup. Both sit at the forefront of the BMW larger-than-sedan segment and defend their position within the space in variegated ways. The X5 is unquestionably civilian. The BMW X5 has been virtually for over 20 years in four unshared generations. Over that period, the X5 dug its tires into the luxury SUV fanbase that craved a well-handling family-hauler, which the X5 did well.
Enter the X6 in 2008. When BMW released the X6 sports worriedness coupe (SAC), it split the BMW fanbase and left many wondering, what is the point of that thing? With the sloped roofline and compromised rear storage area, the X6 seemed like a neutered SUV in comparison to the X5. But, alas, without repeated years of strong sales, BMW seemed to have stumbled upon a niche that plane they probably didn’t think was very populated.
Despite their surface-level differences, the X5 vs X6 are very nearly twins on the inside. They share the same chassis, drivetrain, powertrain options, and similar suspension components. In fact, most of their differences can be seen immediately when looking at both, side by side. However, those external differences feed into the interior as well.
While we will touch on the previous generations of X5 and X6, this vendible is centered virtually the newest generation G05 and G06 X5 and X6.
BMW X5 vs X6 Basics
Before we go any further, let's first imbricate a bit of BMW-specific nomenclature. Using the knowledge that we have gathered from pretty much every other manufacturer under the sun, we’d be drawn to label both the X5 vs X6 as SUVs. In the BMW sphere, however, we’d be wrong. BMW labels the X5 as a Sports Worriedness Vehicle (SAV), substantially highlighting its better-than-average large-vehicle handling. The X6, on the other hand, received the title “Sports Worriedness Coupe,” once then making things overly complicated. The SAC moniker is meant to connote that the X6 should be thought of as a vehicle that bridges the coupe and SUV segments.
While the X6 isn’t a new kid on the woodcut anymore, it certainly doesn’t have the same pedigree as the X5. The X5 was BMW’s first foray into the SAV market, which was then successful unbearable to warrant a few follow-ups. The X3, X4, and X6 are all inspired by the X5’s initial success.
BMW X5 and X6 Chassis History
So, as we have once established, the X5 has been virtually significantly longer than the X6. As a result, the X6 has one fewer generation than the X5 which was virtually as early as 1999. The generations of X5 vs X6 are often separated by virtually 5-7 years, with a well-constructed redesign taking place for each generation. We’ll unravel lanugo the generations, starting with the X5 first:
- 1999-2006 BMW X5 (E53)
- 2006-2014 BMW X5 (E70)
- 2014-2019 BMW X5 (F15)
- 2019-Present BMW X5 (G05)
The X5 has been virtually for quite a while at this point. What started as an experiment by BMW to test the waters in the SUV market rapidly grew to wilt one of the best-selling models that they offer. The E53 X5 was BMWs first SUV that came standard with all-wheel-drive. The E70, which followed the E53 generation, was released 7 years later and featured notable improvements including the implementation of iDrive and third-row seating. The F15 generation to follow featured significant stimulating and performance improvements despite stuff built on the same chassis as the E70.
The current G05 platform is all new for the X5 as of 2019. It is based on BMW’s Cluster Architecture which is a modular platform that makes use of multiple materials including steel, aluminum, and stat fiber. The G05 moreover introduced a new few new engines to the X5 platform.
BMW X6 Chassis History
Despite stuff released nearly a decade without the X5, the X6 only has one fewer generation than the X5. BMW’s intention with the X6 was to introduce a larger vehicle with a increasingly modern and stylish diamond to the BMW SAV/SAC lineup for those that were increasingly interested in philosophy than cargo space. Despite that sentiment, the X6 is still a capable vehicle with all-weather and light off-road abilities.
- 2008-2015 BMW X6 (E71)
- 2015-2019 BMW X6 (F16)
- 2020-Present BMW X6 (G06)
The release of the first generation E72 X6 came a couple of years without the release of the E70 X5. The E71 was built on the same chassis as the E70 and shared many of the same components, much like the G06 X6 today. It did have a couple of standout features over the E70, with the standout stuff the inclusion of Dynamic Performance Control, an updated and improved traction tenancy system. The F16 X6 generation shared many components with the F15 X5, including the new powertrain options that were offered for both.
The G06 X6 has grown from the previous F16 generation. In comparison, the G06 is an inch longer and over half an inch wider, with a slightly larger rear cargo zone as well. As you will come to find out in the sections to follow, the G05 X5 and G06 X6 are similar in nearly every way. The sloped roofline that has wilt the X6’s signature styling full-length is the main difference between the two.
BMW X5 vs X6 Handling
Owing to the fact that the X5 and X6 are built on the same chassis and utilize many of the same suspension components, they handle very similarly to one another. That’s whimsically a surprise. With that stuff said, the X6 provides a marginal value increasingly performance due to its lower part-way of gravity.
Outside of the chassis similarities, the G05 X5 and G06 X6 both share identical suspension options, which come in a variety of flavors. In total, the X5 and X6 have seven, yes, seven, variegated suspension arrangements to segregate from, with a few overlapping packages. BMW’s mission in providing such a unrestrictedness of suspension options is inclusivity due to the zipped SAV/SAC title that the X5 and X6 have inherited.
Some of the suspension packages are comfort-oriented, prime amongst them is the two-axle air suspension package. Others are performance-oriented, like the Adaptive M suspension package which features on-the-fly willowy suspension characteristics and dampening. There’s plane an offroad option for xDrive-equipped vehicles, featuring an electronically controlled rear differential and ground clearance adjustability.
One of the coolest handling-related improvements to the G05 X5 and G06 X6 is the introduction of Integral Zippy Steering, which truly is a shocking full-length if you’ve never encountered it before. With zippy steering, the rear wheels either work with or versus the fronts to either provide pinpoint maneuvering at low speeds or increased stability at upper speeds. While it isn’t standard, Zippy Steering is a worthwhile upgrade in the handling department.
Overall, the optional handling packages that both the G05 X5 and G06 X6 share serve both chassis in the same way. The differences between the X5 and X6 are marginal in the handling department. SO much so that you’d have a nonflexible time telling the difference between the two if you were sitting in one or the other.
BMW X5 vs X6 - Price
Funny enough, one of the most significant differences between the G05 X5 vs X6 is the wiring MSRP. Despite their similarities in many regards, the X6 is significantly increasingly expensive than the X5 in wiring trim. A lot of that price difference can be attributed to BMW’s visualization to discontinue the wiring 2WD sDrive trim from the X6 lineup. While it was removed as an option for the X6, it remains for the X5.
As the X5 lineup still offers the sDrive 40i trim with 2WD, the wiring MSRP is $60,600. While that is still a pretty penny, it is significantly increasingly reasonable than the 2022 X6 wiring price of $67,350. While some oppose that the xDrive AWD system is certainly worth the uneaten $7,000, expressly if you live in an zone where poor weather is a guarantee in the winter months, it makes a little less sense compared side by side with the wiring X5 in xDrive 40i trim. The X5 xDrive 40i is equipped with the same AWD system and powertrain as the wiring X6, yet financing $5,650 less at $61,700.
The same story can be said for the rest of the X5 vs X6 lineup with the increasingly premium models moreover differing in price by a substantial amount. The M50i 4.4L twin power-turbo V8 models of the X5 vs X6 are separated in price by $4,000, with the X5 stuff the cheaper option. The same can be said for the monstrous full-M variants, with the X6M out-pricing the X5M by $5,000. So, where does all of that uneaten dough go?
That is honestly a fantastic question. In comparable trims, the 2022 X5 vs X6 are nearly identical in terms of interior technology, features, drivetrain, powertrain, interior styling, and overall performance. The two moreover offer the same repletion and driver-oriented optional packages for similar spare prices, including M-Sport, Premium, and Executive packages among many more. Essentially, the price difference is really in the aesthetics. Some people very much prefer the coupe-esque styling of the X6 and are willing to pay a premium for it.
BMW X5 vs X6 Size
One of the main reasons that people opt for an SUV over a coupe or sedan is the widow space. That concerns both storage space and interior space for both yourself and your passengers. Prior to the release of the X6 and X7, the X5 was the only SAV that provided unobjectionable leg room and storage topics to truly compete with the competition on that front. The X3 and X4 are a bit too small to truly be considered for a true SUV role with true SUV capabilities. While both the X5 and X6 provide increasingly cargo and legroom than the smaller models in the BMW X range, the X5 certainly has the whet due to the X6’s sloped roof interfering.
Looking at the G05 X5 first, it has significantly larger cargo storage space than the previous generation F15-chassis X5. The xDrive 40i G05 X5 has a storage topics of 33.9 cu/ft with the rear seats in an upright position and an impressive 72.3 cu/ft of storage topics with the rear seats folded down. In comparison with the 2013-2018 BMW X5, storage topics has grown by 10.9 cu/ft with seats in their natural position and 6.3 cu/ft with the seats in a lowered position.
The G06 X6 has moreover cleared out spare storage space over the previous 2015-2019 F16 X6. The new G06 X6 has a storage topics of 27.4 cu/ft with the rear seats in standard position and 59.6 cu/ft with the seats in a downward position. Comparing those figures to the F16 X6, with a standard 20.5 cu/ft and 53.9 cu/ft in folded form, the G06 is certainly a step up in terms of extracurricular practicality.
Despite both the X5 vs X6 garnering increasingly space than their respective previous generation, it is evident that the X5 is still the well-spoken winner in the practicality department. The main thing holding the X6 when is its sloped roofline which decreases overall storage space, legroom, and headroom.
BMW X5 vs X6 Engine Options
Like many other similar aspects of the X5 vs X6 comparison, the two models have nearly identical powertrain options available. However, BMW released the X5 45e with the G05 chassis, subtracting an spare hybrid engine configuration to the X5 line that is missing from the X6.
2023 X5 vs X6 40i Engine - 3.0L B58 TwinScroll Turbo Straight-6
Horsepower: 335 hp
Torque: 369 lb-ft
The wiring 40i configuration for both the G05 X5 and G06 X6 - including both the sDrive and xDrive X5 models - come standard with the B58 3.0L turbocharged straight-6 producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The B58 is a tried and true engine that has been put to use previously in the F30 3-Series, G30 5-Series, F32 4-Series, and numerous other models since 2015. It is unanimously well-set that the B58 is a fantastic engine with plenty of grunt, when lugging virtually the uneaten weight of the G05 and G06.
2023 X5 45e Engine - B58 TwinScroll Turbo I6 w/ 82 kW Electric Motor
As we mentioned, the X5 features an spare hybrid engine configuration that adds an spare trim to the X5 lineup. While the X5 45e moreover uses a B58 3.0L straight-6, it moreover features an 82 kW electric motor, giving it a bit increasingly pep. The B58 is detuned on the 45e, producing only 286 horsepower without the electric motor. In unison, the 45e’s overall horsepower icon is 396 horsepower. That positions the X5 45e between the wiring 40i model and the M-tuned X5 M50i model in terms of power. It’ll moreover go 31 miles on full-electric power.
2023 X5 vs X6 M50i Engine - N63 Twin-Turbo 4.4L V8
Horsepower: 523 hp
Torque: 553 lb-ft
Stepping up to a higher echelon, we reach the X5 vs X6 M50i models which are both powered by the 4.4L twin-scroll turbocharged N63 engine producing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Prior to the 2019 model year, the X5 vs X6 M50i lacked the M preceding the number. Both the X5 50i and X6 50i were rebranded for the 2020 model year to slot in with the rest of the M-performance vehicles like the M240i and M340i. With the rebranding came a increasingly powerful tuned version of the N63, gaining 70 horsepower over the N63 found in the pre-2020 X5 50i and X6 50i.
2023 X5M vs X6M Engine - S63 TwinScroll-Turbo 4.4L V8
Horsepower: 600 hp standard / 617 hp in Competition form
Torque: 553 lb-ft
Finally, we get to the behemoths, the highest trim X5M and X6M which both share the high-performance 4.4L twin-turbo S63 V8. The F95 X5M and F96 X6M both come in either standard or Competition trim. In regular form, both the X5M and X6M produce 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The Competition versions of both see an increase in horsepower to 617 horsepower. Regardless, the horsepower figures of both are astronomical and both can get off the line like a bat out of hell.
BMW X5 vs X6 - So, Which One Is Better?
With as many similarities as there are between the G05 X5 and G06 X6, it is nonflexible to say that one is necessarily largest than the other. The X5 vs X6 exist for variegated reasons despite sharing so many components under the surface. The visualization really boils lanugo to priorities. If uneaten interior space, cargo space, and headroom are a priority, the X5 unquestionably takes the cake. However, if you can go without the practical whet and are increasingly swayed by the stimulating request of the X6, then that might be the correct route.
Beyond the differences in overall practicality, the X5 offers a few increasingly trim options that might be well-flavored depending on your lifestyle and geographical location. The X5 sDrive 40i is the cheapest way to get into a BMW SAV, which might be right for the upkeep conscious. If you aren’t in dire need of an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the sDrive might be a way to get into a very capable BMW for significantly less than you’d spend on a wiring X6 xDrive 40i. Additionally, the X5 45e is a solid nomination for those looking to get into a modern hybrid without sacrificing any of the benefits of a traditional gas-powered BMW.
At the end of the day, it really does slaver into an treatise well-nigh form versus function. The X5 is less expensive, increasingly capable, increasingly practical, and has a increasingly tried-and-true pedigree. The only thing that the X6 really has going for it is its styling. While it might not be for some people, others really love the coupe-like styling of the X6 and are willing to sacrifice the benefits of the X5 for the widow hint of elegance.
