Perhaps you’re one of many few who finds the BMW X6 to be extra enticing than the X5. Nicely, kind within the automotive world comes with compromises to operate in lots of circumstances. Choosing the “coupe” model of this BMW crossover pair is a kind of circumstances. BMW claims the X6 (together with the X6 M Competitors mannequin pictured right here) has 27.4 cubic-feet of area behind the second row (barely higher than the earlier era X6), which is 6.5 cubes fewer than an X5.
Once you have a look at it that approach, the X6’s compromise seems comparatively minor. However as is the case with nearly each baggage take a look at we carry out, numbers don’t inform the entire story. The X6 loses a few of its utility by imposing a excessive load flooring and an angled rear hatch line that doesn’t look conducive to stacking boxy suitcases. The X6 additionally lacks the X5’s helpful two-piece hatch with the underside edge folding out for simple loading or a fast seat. BMW tries to make up for this within the X6 with a voluminous underfloor storage compartment, nevertheless it’s primarily simply helpful for odds and ends. Let’s get to testing.
The bags is similar as we sometimes use for our Midwest baggage checks: two carry-on suitcases sized (24 inches lengthy, 15.5 huge, 10 deep); one carry-on suitcase (21.7L x 13.7W x 9 D); one medium-size suitcase it’s a must to verify (24.5L x 16.8W x 11.5D) and two bigger, full-size suitcases (33.8L x 21.5W x 13D) and (28.1L x 18W x 10.5D).
To start out, we chucked within the three carry-on suitcases and the one medium-sized suitcase. All 4 of those match with out situation, leaving an abundance of area in entrance of them for different odds and ends. You may put the cargo shade down over them, too. We tried to stay one of many full-size suitcases in entrance, however the wheels proved to be too giant for the hatch to shut. Nonetheless, a barely smaller suitcase might slot in entrance there. We’ll give some kudos to BMW for making the closing peak midway respectable with this physique form. It’s barely higher than anticipated.
Configuration quantity two is under. You’ll see that two carry-on suitcases will be stacked and nonetheless match underneath the cargo shade. Not solely that, however a full-size suitcase comfortably matches subsequent to them. This leaves the entrance open for the final carry-on suitcase with a tiny area remaining. In that area, we squeezed within the fancy bag (22L x 8.8W x 12D). The hatch closes with out situation.
However then we determined to take away that cargo shade to see what most capability seems like. With it gone, you may stack the second full-size suitcase on prime of the opposite. Nonetheless, this intrudes on the flowery bag’s earlier area an excessive amount of, squeezing it out. We moved that to sit down on prime of the stacked carry-on suitcases, and voila, the hatch closes. It’s tight, as you may see under, nevertheless it does work. Put something bigger than the flowery bag on prime of the double stacked carry-ons, and it’s a no-go.
If that also isn’t sufficient, the rear seats fold down 60/40 type from pull-tabs within the rear hatch or on the seatbacks themselves. They don’t go all the best way flat, however far more area opens up. In whole, you get 59.6 cubic-feet behind the primary row. The deficit to the X5’s cargo area grows right here, because it’s 12.7 cubes smaller. Chalk that as much as the quicker roof line coming again to chew utility.
As a complete, although, the X6 comports itself effectively on this take a look at. There weren’t any main fails, and the slicked-back roof line doesn’t harm cargo capability as a lot as it would have a look at first look. Essentially the most annoying factor about it’s the load flooring peak. Lifting heavy gadgets or suitcases all the best way up into this automotive received’t be pleasing, and it’s particularly annoying after we know the way a lot simpler the X5 makes it.
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