STUD or DUD: After A Mild Refresh Is The 2013 BMW X6 STILL Lustworthy?

Up until this moment you've seen the spy shots, which have been lingering for the past couple of months, and you've known BMW has been up to some of its handiwork.

Well, the 2013 BMW X6 is the result of their laborious efforts.

The REAL question, though, is did it pay off for you? Did BMW's mild refresh for 2013 take the X6 sport-utility vehicle to the next level?

Since it's introduction, the X6 has largely been a polarizing vehicle in the court of public opinion. Perhaps by now that's softened up a bit, but there's only one way to tell.

That said, is the 2013 BMW X6 a STUD or a DUD?

BMW's press release follows:

2013 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe

26.01.2012

Still unique – now even more exceptional

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 25, 2012… BMW today revealed the first images and information about the newly updated 2013 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe which arrives in US BMW Centers this spring. The world's first ever Sports Activity Coupe stills offers a unique combination of sporty dynamics, versatility and unmatched character. Select design updates and innovative features further hone the profile of the new BMW X6 as a distinctive model within the premium segment of all-wheel-drive vehicles. Its ongoing popularity is due to both its highly expressive design, which combines the athletic and elegant lines of a coupe with the unique character of a BMW X model, and the outstanding driving experience provided by two powerful engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and xDrive, the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The BMW X6 continues to offer Dynamic Performance Control which gives the Sports Activity Coupe unparalleled agility for a vehicle in this segment.

Since its market launch, more than 150,000 Sports Activity Coupes have been sold globally in the last three years with over 20,000 sold here in the US. This has far exceeded the original expectations. The continuing high level of demand for the BMW X6 on worldwide markets is affirmation of the ground-breaking vehicle concept of the Sports Activity Coupe.

Striking design features front and rear, adaptive LED headlamps a new option.

Precisely modified up front give the new BMW X6 an appearance characterized by athleticism and style. The standard foglights are now set in matt finish surrounds in the upper area of the outer air inlets. Their higher and more lateral position emphasizes the width of the vehicle. The striking three-dimensional modeling of the frame and newly designed bars, angled in the lower section, make the BMW kidney grille stand out conspicuously in the vehicle’s front end. The angle of the grille bars is flush with the bottom of the headlamp units, thereby creating an additional horizontal line which likewise highlights the wide track and road-holding prowess of the new BMW X6.

As an alternative to the standard Xenon headlights, the new BMW X6 is the first vehicle in its segment to be available with adaptive LED headlights. Their bright white light ensures optimum visibility, while their high-quality appearance represents a new interpretation of the brand's hallmark twin circular headlamps. The three-dimensionally shaped luminous rings of the adaptive LED headlights are strikingly leveled off both at the top and bottom and are overlaid at the upper edge by an LED-fed accent light. The light sources for low and high beam light are LED units positioned on a horizontal bar at its center, feeding their light into the reflectors in front. With its newly designed taillights with LED technology, the powerfully shaped rear of the new BMW X6 also features more intense styling. The taillights are now two LED-fed light banks which create the brand's hallmark night design as a harmoniously glowing light mass. The fact that they are horizontally aligned and stretch far out to the sides emphasizes both the width of the vehicle and the flowing transition between the rear quarter and the tail-end.

Attractive new paint finishes, light alloy wheel and leather trim further enhance the new look.

The program of external paint finishes for the new BMW X6 consists of two non-metallic and nine metallic colors, including Marrakesh Brown metallic, Orion Silver metallic and Midnight Blue metallic. The standard equipment range of the new BMW X6 also includes a new 19-inch light alloy wheel style for the X6 xDrive50i.

The standard Nevada leather upholstery is now also available in Vermilion Red. Also available is a new Nappa Leather upholstery in Ivory White. The new BMW X6 comes standard as a four-seat model. A three-seat rear bench is available as an option. The luggage compartment volume of the Sports Activity Coupe is 25.6 cubic feet (570 liters) and can be extended to up to nearly 60 cu.-ft. (1,450 liters) by folding down the rear backrests.

The new BMW X6: dynamic, unparalled, efficient, innovative.

The BMW X6 will again be offered in two models in the US, the X6 xDrive50i which features BMW’s 4.4-liter 400 hp TwinPower Turbo V8 and the X6 xDrive35i with BMW’s award-winning 300 hp TwinPower Turbo inline-6. Both are mated to BMW’s 8-speed automatic transmission for a unique blend of responsiveness and efficiency.

The new M Performance Package

As an additional option, the M Performance Package is available in the US. This attractive equipment package is not just cosmetic. It includes an engine upgrade of +15hp and +30 lb-ft of torque on the X6 xDrive35i giving it 315 hp and 330 lb-ft. The increase is +40 hp +30 lb-ft of torque on the X6 xDrive50i for total peak output of 440 hp and 480 lb-ft. In addition, the M Performance Package includes 20-inch light alloy wheels, black chrome exhaust tips, stainless steel pedals, M foot rest and door sills, shadowline exterior trim, anthracite headliner, and optional Carbon Black metallic paint.

The X6 M: The Ultimate Sports Activity Coupe

As an additional product offer from BMW M GmbH, the specialists for high-performance sports cars, the BMW X6M with its V8 engine delivering 555 bhp also benefits from detailed refinements in the area of design and equipment. The BMW X6 M is fitted with a 6-speed
M Sport automatic transmission, also highlighting its individual status with such features as separately developed suspension technology.

The new BMW X6: Unmatched character – refined

The BMW X6 remains unique in the industry for its blend of style, performance and versatility. The updated 2013 model refines that character ensuring the continued success of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe.

The 2013 BMW X6 arrives in US showrooms in the spring of 2012.

2013 BMW X6 Photo Gallery

DeutschlandV8 - 1/25/2012 11:22:00 PM

+9 Boost

Stud, looks even better, and I love the 3D LED head lights.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/25/2012 11:46:24 PM

-8 Boost

It looks to me like little has changed, so it's still one of the least lustworthy cars on the road.

AutoFanatic_WW - 1/26/2012 12:31:19 AM

+4 Boost

Ummmm... It's NOT a car..

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/26/2012 8:29:27 PM

-5 Boost

Yeah, it doesn't even qualify for 'car' status. Let me rephrase my comment: it's one of the least lustworthy THINGS on the road. Thanks for correcting me.

pepito66 - 1/26/2012 7:35:35 AM

+8 Boost

Stud for sure , loves car and the new LED technology , I am a fan of the X6.

car750i - 1/26/2012 8:11:47 AM

+8 Boost

I like all the updated details on the exterior, and the power boost is a welcome option. Stud.

bmwcs - 1/26/2012 8:47:27 AM

+8 Boost

Nice changes, they give it an even more premium look.

quizz - 1/26/2012 9:22:06 AM

+6 Boost

thin rubber band tires don't look right on this car; their is a conflict in design: the car has high clearance because it's meant to be an "activity" vehicle, and yet you have these fragile high performance tires NOT made for anything but the smoothest roads. Ugh, I understand the consumers lust for high performance race tires, but on a cross-over type vehicle? It's like wearing suspenders with your sweat pants, I don't get it.

BTW, this also applies to those crazy people driving Escalades and Rovers and doing the same with their wheels, absolutely silliness.

Joe_Limon - 1/26/2012 10:32:54 AM

+6 Boost

If you look at the average customer base, the vehicle may sell based on its potential offroad prowess, but most of them sold are for soccer moms and will only have to deal with the occasional soccer field.

And yes this applies to all those other vehicles as well. It's not silly, it's simply their target market.

Gambit - 1/26/2012 11:29:43 AM

-2 Boost

You mean parking on the grass isn't offroading?

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 1/26/2012 4:45:51 PM

+3 Boost

Those are 50 sidewall profile tyres.

By Car / Suv standards only Land Rover/Range Rover and maybe Lexus offer higher sidewall profiles on their Road Based SUVs.

Audi's Q7 comes with as low as 25 profile from factory on 21 inch wheels

Think Cayenne also comes with 25 and 30 profile tyres.

So this one seems quite ok to me if you do not intend to go offroad.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/26/2012 8:36:28 PM

-3 Boost

The high ride height is part of BMW's marketing strategy. The X6 is designed to appeal to people who (and I'm quoting my aunt, who almost bought one) "want something less than an SUV" but are alienated by anything that isn't so tall. This is because, even though the X6 is helpless off pavement, they're convinced that any drive in which any dirt is visible from the road requires roll-inducing ride height. These morons don't realize that what they need is a STATION WAGON.

HoustonMidtown - 1/26/2012 12:00:59 PM

-8 Boost

DUD - still ugly

mclaren428 - 1/27/2012 12:30:42 PM

+8 Boost

Very insightfull comments guys, good stuff..

I like the profile a lot, and the updated front intakes give it a fresh look. The front looks like an X5 which is the best looking suv in the segment besides maybe the cayanne. The coupe profile will appeal to the same people who like the Mercedes CLS.

irishmike - 1/26/2012 12:30:18 PM

-7 Boost

These things are the ugliest BMW ever. 'Been behind one in traffic a couple of times, and I wanted to puke!

SoMuchChedda - 1/26/2012 1:14:49 PM

+7 Boost

I like the changes to the front, the X6 looks great on the road.

CarCrazedinCali - 1/26/2012 2:23:23 PM

+4 Boost

I don't see much difference with the refresh, though never really loved the X6 to begin with... They look pretty studly with the largest wheels, but portly without. Brown is not that great on it either, leave the brown for the interior please.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/26/2012 8:45:04 PM

-5 Boost

The X6 certainly makes as much sense as mutated, anthropomorphic, intelligent, speech-capable, pizza-addicted, karate-trained turtles named after master Renaissance artists who live in a sewer and take orders from a similarly sensationalized rat.

Designer1 - 1/26/2012 5:18:43 PM

+3 Boost

It's nice, just looks funny with narrow tires.

motor1 - 1/27/2012 4:04:54 AM

-7 Boost

Considering all of the BMW X6 fanboys (< 30 of them) in the world turned up on this article, I look forward to seeing my comment de-boosted, so I may as well go ahead and say what I feel like.

This is one of the most disgusting looking new cars on the road. How on earth would this creation ever be considered "lustworthy" pre or post-facelift??? It is more expensive, less equipped, smaller, much more uglier, as powerful and efficient, and nowhere near as practical as an X5. And because the tail lamps and headlights are basically identical unless you look hard enough, unless you are under the influence of extremely hallucinogenic drugs, anybody who at one's free will chooses to buy an X6 over an X5, and the person who wrote this article for considering such a monstrosity to at any stage be "lustworthy", can obviously not be taken seriously. No offence to 00R, but he used a very poor adjective to describe this car. "Disgusting", "pathetic", "ridiculous", "a joke" or "revolting", off the top of my head, are much more suitable descriptions.

aboodesta - 1/27/2012 6:54:30 AM

+9 Boost

You must be like 50 years old or more. Everybody who has seen one in real life loves the design. Its so much nicer than a regular SUV, and so much more capable on the road.

motor1 - 1/27/2012 7:32:12 AM

-8 Boost

Well after reading that, "you must be like" 14. I think it possesses the physical properties of a mutated gargoyle. I test drove this, an X5 and 5 touring, Cayenne and E-Class estate and the X6 was by far the worst. It drives averagely, has minimal off-roading capability, 2 cramped rear seats (poor headroom), an exorbitant price list and that's before you open your eyes and look at the thing. There are better cars from the same and other luxury brands that are better looking, more spacious, drive better, come with more standard features and don't make you look like an idiot. If I was to settle for something impractical, overpriced and with 4 seats it definitely wouldn't be an X6. And my friend, I'm 41.

PQ40 - 1/27/2012 8:29:45 AM

+9 Boost

Wow 41? Pretty sad you rant like a child, b/c someone’s opinion differs from yours...This vehicle is a success, and there are people who find it very attractive. That is why Mercedes and Audi are also building competitors for this segment. Its as capable off road as an X5 or a Q7(not say much since they are not indended for off road use), and some people appreceate the coupe styling with the elevated ride hight. Belive it or not your not the only peron in the world (shocking i know), there are plenty of people who like, and spend their hard earned money on the X6, b/c they can, and they love it.

JRobUSC - 1/27/2012 1:32:57 PM

+8 Boost

I'm 35, about to turn 36, and I happen to think the X6 looks awesome. So does my wife, who is the same age. As someone who generally dislikes SUV's, the X6 appeals to me because

a) it drives unbelievably, and not just by SUV standards, just in general,
b) I don't care if it goes off road, because I don't,
c) I don't need a giant family hauler, seating for five is plenty, and
d) it looks freaking cool. It's like some kind of stealth tank. They could use it as Batman's daily driver in the next movie and it wouldn't look out of place.

My point being, to each his/her own. You don't like it, and that's fine. It has thus far appealed to more people than BMW ever thought it would (over 150k worldwide and counting in the three years since it came out), plus many many more who would love to have one if cash were no object (myself included). It doesn't have to "make sense". People who can afford a $70-100k SUV-thing have the one thing that money gives you -- the power of choice. They don't make choices based on the same rationale normal people do, because they don't have to. If the same rationale applied to everyone, everyone would drive Camry's.

motor1 - 1/27/2012 9:13:27 PM

-9 Boost

Yep, oops I forgot this is a mainly-American site. Meaning absolutely rubbish judges of quality, design and class. The sort of people who think a 5 Series GT or Ssangyong Rodius "looks greaaaaat". Carry on.

motor1 - 1/27/2012 8:41:24 AM

-9 Boost

@PQ40

This is a forum and I'm voicing my opinion and disagreeing with the opinions I do not agree with, with appropriate reason. Sorry.

wileyz - 1/27/2012 10:40:08 AM

-7 Boost

Seriously...when was the X6 EVER lustworthy? The designer of Pontiac's Aztec probably lusts for it, but that's about it.

S4quattro - 1/27/2012 11:14:54 AM

+8 Boost

Stud!! LOL @ all the haters.

bmwm6 - 1/27/2012 11:29:17 AM

+8 Boost

The X6 is a awesome Gt with all weather all season capability! I thinks its pretty darn cool.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/27/2012 7:20:32 PM

-6 Boost

All-weather, all-season capability? You mean 4WD? This is in no way specific to the X6. A 328xi wagon would do everything except straight-line acceleration better than the X6.

skytop - 1/28/2012 5:06:24 AM

-8 Boost

Most useless BMW ever. Did I also say ungainly and hard on the eyes too?

What was BMW thinking? Anyone buying this will be stared at in disbelief.

M5twinturbo - 1/28/2012 9:40:07 AM

+10 Boost

Its no more useless than a CLS or A7, same concept but the X6 has added ride hight which allows you to drive it in deeper snow than the cars. So it does have use...for people who want a stylish coupe like SUV. Its a huge success thats why Mercedes and Audi have both announced they plan on building rivals.

But hey have fun trolling..

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/28/2012 12:51:31 PM

-13 Boost

@M5twinturbo - okay, you can look at it that way. OR the X6 can be described as an SUV that can't go off-roading, has little storage space, costs $90,000 and only seats four. Pathetic. Last I checked, the motivation for buying an SUV was to leave pavement, carry everything but the kitchen sink, and seat seven.

M5twinturbo - 1/28/2012 3:20:15 PM

+10 Boost

People can buy an SUV for whatever they like... And some people want a stylish sporty suv, and don't give a damn about going off road. 99% of suvs never go of road so I fail to see your point, and there is actually nothing pathetic about it a 400+ hp SUV... its pretty bad ass, and BMW is laughing all they way to the bank.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/29/2012 11:58:08 AM

-14 Boost

If you don't want to go off-roading, why buy such a tall car? A high center of gravity impedes every aspect of a car's performance. And actually, 400 hp in a $90,000 car is nothing to brag about. BMW is laughing all the way to the bank, but because they've ripped so many people off by selling them the most nonsensical car in existence. Instead of an X6, buy a CTS-V wagon, save twenty thousand dollars, and enjoy the vastly improved drive.

M5twinturbo - 1/29/2012 12:32:43 PM

+9 Boost

"If you don't want to go off-roading, why buy such a tall car?"

Why don't you ask the 99% of suv owners that never go off road? Some people do not care about center of gravity, and they like the elevated seating position, of suvs. The X6 makes a lot of sense its a more stylish X5 for people who value style over utility. Your obviously just hating for the sake of it, if you do not understand that there is a niche for this vehicle it makes no difference. Its going to sell, and sell well regardless. Enjoy!

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/29/2012 5:39:21 PM

-12 Boost

Look, if you value an elevated seating position over handling, you're obviously not an enthusiast of any sort. Neither are those who buy X6s. It's not a car for people who love to drive.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/30/2012 8:20:32 PM

-3 Boost

Look, just how many accounts do you have?

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/30/2012 8:26:26 PM

-3 Boost

Deboosting me once for each of your brain cells proves only that you can't come up with any sort of argument against me. It's actually quite funny how long it must have taken to make them all, deboost each of my comments, sign out, sign in under a new alias, and then repeat steps 2-4 twelve times.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/30/2012 8:40:09 PM

-3 Boost

Hey, I can figure out how many people disagree with you by using some simple math. Okay, my "least lustworthy cars on the road" comment is at -8, so add 12 to compensate for your deboosting and we get... 4, so 3 people must have boosted it before you came along. My comment about how it only qualifies as a "thing" and not a car is at -5, so add 12 and we get... look at that! I'm at 7! What a difference twelve accounts make!

Your comment about how the X6's ride height is beneficial in snow so deep that nobody should be on the road at all, by contrast, is sitting at 7. Seven minus twelve is -5. You lose.

I place no value in deboost-based rankings, but judging by your actions, you do. So this ought to hit home. If I were you, I'd switch to one of your other accounts so you might be taken seriously (but I doubt it) by people who have seen this.

JRobUSC - 1/31/2012 10:02:25 PM

+1 Boost

@passengerseat:

what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

FromThePassengerSeat - 1/31/2012 10:28:13 PM

+3 Boost

@JRobUSC: I was deboosted twelve times overnight. Explain that.