Amber Reed
· 8 min read
Looking for a powerful luxury SUV? The BMW X6 is great, but the glorious Genesis GV80 and the spicy Porsche Cayenne are not to be overlooked.
BMWs may be a go-to brand for a luxurious driving experience, but there’s no shortage of competition out there on the road. Depending on your priorities and budget, there could be some other options that will suit you better!
Jerry, the
trustworthy super app
and licensed car insurance broker will take a look at a few of the alternatives to the BMW X6. You might just find something you like better than a Bimmer—and you’ll definitely find the best way to lower your BMW insurance cost
, no matter what you drive. Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. Volvo XC-90
Starting price: $51,995 to $72,195
Selling points: Zippy PHEV option, elegant styling
Weak spot: Ride can be a bit on the bumpy side
Volvo
is known for stellar safety ratings, and the XC-90 was an IIHSTop Safety Pick and got a five-star rating from the NHTSA. If you’re looking for a family hauler, this will be a good candidate. The interior is roomy—with a third row to accommodate the little ones. The plug-in hybrid option offers good fuel economy and exhilarating acceleration, with a zero to sixty time of 4.5 seconds. The Volvo XC-90 earned a 9.5/10 from Car and Driver. They admit it wasn’t the most fun of the class to drive, but nonetheless made it an Editors’ Choice for 2022.
2. Porsche Cayenne
Starting price: $72,200 to $188,700
Selling points: Peak performance and luxury
Weak spot: Gets really expensive really fast
If you want the ultimate in a midsize performance SUV (and are willing to pay the price for it), take a look at the
Porsche Cayenne
. Many fans of the brand were appalled when Porsche started making SUVs and sedans, but the Cayenne is here to make them rethink their skepticism. Insane performance is available in all of the three available powertrains, including one that’s a 455 horsepower plug-in hybrid. It’s more than just a sassy demeanor, too—when properly equipped, the Cayenne can tow up to 7,700 pounds of goodies. It’s an SUV, but it still drives like a
Porsche
in every regard.There are a truly dizzying array of options available, and the price tag can skyrocket quickly. But if you want a statement family hauler like no other, it might just be the flavor for you.
3. Audi Q8
Starting price: $71,995 to $82,895
Selling points: Comes well equipped for the price
Weak spot: Less cargo and passenger space
The Audi Q8 is one of those sporty SUVs that kind of teeters on coupe-esque in design, with its sliding lines and athletic profile. The driving experience is comfortable and agile, and it’s worth mentioning that it shares the same driving platform as the Porsche Cayenne.
The infotainment interface is cutting edge—no knobs or buttons, just haptics and touchscreens. While some reviewers loved it, others found it distracting. The Audi Q8 is less practical than some of its rivals in terms of passenger and cargo space, but it can tow with the best of them with a maximum capacity of 7,700 pounds.
4. Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
Starting price: $56,150 to $80,900
Selling points: Tons of trims and options to choose from
Weak spot: More options more money!
Edmunds found the
Mercedes-Benz
GLE Class to be the best among the midsize luxury class, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a lovely combination of luxury, technology, and SUV capability. The interior (which seats seven) is filled with high-quality materials and elegant touches, and the intuitive infotainment system is accommodating to your every whim. It’s not just a looker, either—all-wheel drive and an optional air suspension will mean you’re ready to tackle the unpaved roads in unparalleled comfort.
The available options are seemingly endless and increasingly luxuriant, but will also drive the price up precipitously as well. But its combination of power, luxury and functionality makes it one to beat when shopping for luxury SUVs.
5. Genesis GV80
Starting price: $55,550 to $78,600
Selling points: Luxury and safety to the max
Weak spot: No hybrid option
From an engineering standpoint to the generous amount of standard safety features, the Genesis is a vehicle that is designed to keep its occupants safe.
That safety doesn’t come at the cost of comfort—at all. The GV80 is awash in luxury and top-notch tech, and is richly outfitted inside and out. Seating can accommodate seven, with the usual caveat that the third row is really just for kids. But Car and Driver summed it up nicely: “When passers-by ask if the GV80 SUV is a Bentley, you know you’re driving something special.” Fair enough.
6. Range Rover Velar
Starting price: $60,300 to $79,200
Selling points: Gorgeous looks
Weak spot: Extra options get expensive fast
The Range Rover Velar is arguably the most eye-catching entry on the list, with its sparse but elegant lines and avant-garde styling inside and out. The Velar’s interior is filled with top-of-the-line tech like dual touchscreen displays and Land Rover’s intuitive infotainment interface. The interior is posh and comfortable to ride in, with thoughtful details and splendid materials throughout.
Two engine choices are available, but some reviewers found the base-level four-cylinder to be a bit on the bland side. If you plan to go adventuring, you'll have Land Rover’s exceptional off-road abilities at your disposal, including adaptive air suspension, but you won’t be able to tow as much as some others.
The ride is more comfort than performance-oriented, and the top trim levels are less of a value than other similarly priced rivals. But it's certainly unique and undeniably lovely to look at, and for some people, that’s well worth it.
7. Lexus RX
Starting price: $47,070 to $57,190
Selling points: Plethora of trim levels and configurations
Weak spot: Not as athletic as some competitors
The
Lexus
RX might look super sporty, but it’s more of a comfort cruiser than the exterior styling would lead you to believe. This isn't necessarily a bad thing—the ride is refined and soft, and the interior is thoughtfully designed and full of primo materials. There are a wide variety of trim levels and options here, including a hybrid engine and a longer wheelbase model that can seat seven. With a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, this won’t be the choice on this list if you want to tow a heavy load. But if you want a cushy ride, lots of standard safety equipment, and like the idea of a luxury SUV that’s built for comfort not speed, it’s worth a look.
8. BMW X5
Starting price: $61,595 to $84,095
Selling points: Trifecta of great powertrain options
Weak spot: Snug third row, speedy V8
Let’s finish the list off with a little sibling rivalry, shall we?
The BMW X5 can seat up to seven people versus the X6’s top capacity of five, so if you need to max out your people carrying ability and still stay in the midsize class, this is the BMW for you. Three extremely capable powertrains are available, including a plug-in hybrid option.
The interior is upscale and comfortable, and the technology is well-integrated. The X5 may not be as cushy as some or as athletic as others, but it is a splendid balance of form, function, and finesse.
And as far as competition to the BMW X6 goes, this is a case where the call is definitely coming from inside the house.
BMW X6 vs. the competition
Like to see it all in black and white? We got you covered. Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the BMW X6 and its worthy competitors:
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$67,350 to $109,600 | Inline 6, V8 | 5 seats | 59.6 cubic ft | 7,200 lb | 16/22/18 mpg | |
$51,995 to $72,195 | Inline four, plug-in hybrid | 7 seats | 85.7 cubic ft | 5000 lbs | 26/25/27 mpg | |
$72,200 to $188,700 | V6, V8, plug-in hybrid | 5 seats | 60.3 cubic ft | 7,700 lb | 20/18/23 mpg | |
$71,995 to $82,895 | V6 | 5 seats | 60.7 cubic ft | 7,700 lb | 19/17/22 mpg | |
Mercedes Benz GLE Class | $56,150 to $80,900 | Inline four, inline six mild hybrid, V8 mild hybrid | 7 seats | 80.3 cubic ft | 7,700 lb | 21/19/24 mpg |
Genesis GV 80 | $55,550 to $78,600 | Inline four or V6 | 7 seats | 84 cubic ft | 6000 lbs | 21/22/25 mpg |
$60,300 to $79,200 | Inline four, inline 6 | 5 seats | 70.1 cubic ft | 5,511 lbs | 20/26/22 mpg | |
$47,070 to $57,190 | V6 or hybrid V6 | 5 to 7 seats | 56.3 cubic ft | 3500 lbs | 22/19/26 mpg | |
$61,595 to $84,095 | Inline six, V8, or plug-in hybrid | 7 seats | 72.3 cubic ft | 7,200 lb | 21/26/23 mpg |
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