[jstein55]

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Motortrend just did a High-Performance SUV test with four midsize SUV's (Levante, GLE, X6M, Cayenne Coupe) and one compact (X3M).

Overall an impressive showing when compared to the X3M, GLE and Levante. In first was the Cayenne Coupe Turbo.

Thoughts on the X6M

Originally Posted by Motortrend

Love them or hate them, you have the BMW X6 to thank for the mass proliferation of fastback "SUV coupes." Now in its third generation, our Purple Porsche Eater represents BMW's strongest effort yet at blending sports car performance with SUV practicality.

Just as the X3 M shares much with the 3 and 4 Series, the X6 M takes its cues from the 5 and 8 Series. The X6 M sports the M5 and M8's potent 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which makes 600 hp in its standard form or 617 hp as found in our Ametrin Metallic X6 M Competition tester. Torque sits at a healthy 553 lb-ft of twist. Like the X3 M, power is routed to a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed automatic.

Also like the X3 M, the X6 M Comp's powertrain is the star of the show. "This thing is a monster, a mutant freak," Evans said. "It's like the Porsche without the refinement." Added Walton: "What a motor! The torque is amazing, and it sounds terrific. The X6 M's twin-turbo V-8 is shockingly linear in its power delivery."
Throttle response is so crisp and power delivery so sudden that stomping on the X6 M's throttle down a straight is the automotive equivalent of an open-ice body check in the NHL. "It doesn't matter what gear you're in—third, fourth, or fifth—the X6 M just pulls and pulls," Lieberman said. "You find yourself changing gears due to an auditory muscle memory."

The BMW has the brakes to back up its power output, too. "I've never actually landed on an aircraft carrier, but this is what it has to be like when the hook catches the arresting wire," Evans said. "The brakes on this thing are unreal." Tire grip, with its steamroller-wide Michelins and BMW's torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, was similarly phenomenal.
For its size, the X6 M handles its weight well. You feel the Bimmer's heft, but its chassis feels composed and neutral, and its steering quick and progressive. Like the X3 M, the helm of the X6 M could use a touch more "dynamism" (as German engineers like to say). Steering is quick, somewhat light, and accurate, certainly, but a touch more delicacy from this big brute would be welcome.

The X6 M's suspension could also use more refinement. Although it's nowhere near as poorly calibrated as the X3 M's, the X6 M Comp's suspension tuning is still on the wrong side of busy. In its sportier suspension settings, the X6 M would pogo up and down in places where the Mercedes and Porsche had no issues.

So what holds the X6 M Competition from victory? Both Walton and Evans captured the sentiment of the group. "I came away feeling impressed but not amazed," Walton noted, while Evans said, "I'm blown away by what it's capable of, but I'm not sure I love it." More polish and a touch more refinement, and we'd all be singing a different tune.

Thoughts on the X3M

If there were an oddball in this comparison, it'd be the X3 M Competition. A half-ton lighter and one-third less costly than the rest of the field, you'd think the X3 M would be outgunned. But this little guy is packing heat.

The X3 M Comp's new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged I-6 is a firecracker. With 473 hp and 442 lb-ft of twist, accompanied by an eight-speed auto and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the X3 M feels like a flyweight among sumo wrestlers. But this X3 M is more than just a hot-rodded engine in a compact SUV—ours included the M Competition package, which boosts power by 30 hp, to 503 hp, and fits the X3 with a sport exhaust system, among other treats.

Unleashed on Angeles Crest Highway, the X3 M Comp feels like the jacked-up M3 Wagon that BMW stubbornly refuses to build—until just recently. Capturing the stupid-fun essence that this segment is truly about, the BMW shows the good that can happen when you squeeze an underrated engine into a small(ish) package. "It drives much faster than only 503 hp would have you believe," Lieberman said. "It pulls hard, and then over 6,000 rpm it really starts pulling. Beast of a motor." M3 and M4 owners will be quite happy when this engine makes its way into the upcoming G20-edition M3.

BMW got the X3 M Comp's steering mostly right, too. Although it perhaps lacks a bit of feedback compared with our top two finishers (its "bloated, ring-bologna steering wheel," as Walton put it, doesn't help), it's nevertheless both sharp and precise. Couple that with the all-wheel-drive system's most aggressive MDM 4WD Sport torque-vectoring setup, and you have a pocket rocket of an SUV that's fairly easy to drive fast.

Where the X3 M puts its foot wrong is in its ride quality. "There's one big flaw here, and it's the damping," Evans said. "It. Is. So. Stiff. Even in Comfort mode I'm getting gut-punched on every bump," a sentiment all five judges echoed. Walton added: "Boing, boing, boing! The vertical motions never stop. It was like a completely different road; the X3 found every single road imperfection and magnified it. It got old very quickly. I could not live with this daily."

The X3 M's poorly calibrated ride has amplifying effects on the Bimmer's steering, too, forcing the driver to constantly make small corrections. And if you're not in the right drive setting, that can cause the Bimmer's nose to wash out, drastically increasing the pucker factor. FYI, there are three individually configurable settings for the X3's (and X6's) powertrain, steering, suspension, and transmission, plus two for the all-wheel-drive system, so carefully choose your setting to match your road and driving intentions.

With competition this fierce, one flaw—in this case, a fairly major one—held this Bimmer back. We adore the X3 M Competition's powertrain and really enjoy its steering, but if the ride is so stiff that it punishes you for driving it, what's the point?

Here are the final rankings.

5th Place: 2020 Maserati Levante Trofeo
Looks the business, doesn't drive it.
4th Place: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S
Technically capable, a bit boring.
3rd Place: 2020 BMW X3 M Competition
Stellar engine, awful ride.
2nd Place: 2020 BMW X6 M Competition
Fast, impressive, but lacking the final polish.
1st Place: 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe
A 911 in SUV clothing. Why buy anything else?


Link to article: https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020...n-test-review/

[Alan l.]

Never thought i'd say this about any X6 but in the look department alone the X6M wins hands down. The Porsche looks like its been around for a decade since it hasn't changed enough over the years. Just like I said in my own review I do feel the suspension on this platform is a tad too firm for the type of car that it is. My previous F85 on 22" was the perfect blend imo. My F95 is stiffer for sure. BMW should have equipped this model with air suspension so you can have comfort and handling as well as address the 4x4 wheel gap that would make it damn near perfect.

[SHARMAATL]

There's a glaring problem for this comparison. It's basically in a vacuum where the only thing they cared about is how these drove at their limits.

There's one real world comparison that's always lost when these auto journalists do similar reviews: price comparison.

The Porsche just beat out the BMW, but the Porsche's as tested price is $27,715 more than BMW. Is the Cayenne Coupe over $27K better than the X6M? Highly doubtful.

[MystroX5]

Not surprised. I test drove most of them. The X3M has a horrible ride quality and I am a performance car owner and understand a firm ride, but damn. Its just dreadful for a performance suv. Build materials used in the X3 is noticeably less expensive feeling than the G05. The Porsche Cayenne has way too much plastic in its interior at this price point. These test also leave out what factors are the most important to the owner. That can greatly push one ahead of another. Fast is a given so we can get beyond that and get into the design, build quality, tech, luxury features, ride, livability, room, comfort of seats, exhaust sound,etc... The performance pissing match is a juvenile game these reviewers with unknown experience or qualifications like to exploit to sell magazines but none of these Jokers pony up with their own money and that is a huge factor cutting through the BS.

[jstein55]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Not surprised. I test drove most of them. The X3M has a horrible ride quality and I am a performance car owner and understand a firm ride, but damn. Its just dreadful for a performance suv. Build materials used in the X3 is noticeably less expensive feeling than the G05.

100% Agree. BMW has a big ride and handling issue going on. The balance isn't there. M is not an excuse for a harsh ride, and you can have a good ride quality while still having a stiff chassis with great handling. These aren't weekend roadsters they're daily drivers, especially the M SUV's which will be seeing the car pool lane at school more than a track and will be hauling around families and pets. MB has a similar issue with ride quality, but as of late has listened to customers complaints and is addressing the ride issues on current and future vehicles. Porsche on the other hand can make an SUV that not only handles but rides better too, so its possible to have a comfortable and fun SUV, it just seems like BMW can't figure it out.

[HeelToeShift]

My gosh is that Cayenne Coupe a pretty thing! I generally don’t find coupe SUVs really tempting, but the Cayenne really nailed the styling and that interior being the high water mark adds to the super SUV - especially with the lightweight package adding those houndstooth seats and CF roof. Of course being the best driving is what matters the most but the other areas don’t hurt like they do the others from my own personally perspective. Bmw uses way too much cheap plastic stuff on their interiors these days whereas The leather, stitching, and the haptic console, plus all the customization you can do on the Porsches are a design queue it seems bmw was trying to mimick but didn’t do so well.
I’d love to have seen them add the Macan turbo or GTS and the GLC63 and the Stelvio Q to round out. I imagine the Macan would have either pushed the Cayenne to second or have been second itself with the Cayenne still taking first.

[spuntyb]

Weird comparison throwing the X3M in there. Winner is unsurprising though. So damned expensive, but so damned good.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

My gosh is that Cayenne Coupe a pretty thing! I generally don’t find coupe SUVs really tempting, but the Cayenne really nailed the styling and that interior being the best of all doesn’t hurt either - especially with the lightweight package adding those houndstooth seats and CF roof. Of course being the best driving is what matters the most but the other areas don’t hurt like they do the others from my own personally perspective.

The best part is the visual trick they pulled with the sloping roof line. I don't typically like these things either, but gotta hand it to them...

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...e-coupe-drive/

"You see, the body panel above the rear side window plunges down at a faster angle than the rear portion of the roof does. It's an optical illusion that gives the coupe a sportier look without making the rear seats useless. If the roof were painted the body color instead of being made of glass or this dark carbon fiber, the effect would be lost."

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

The best part is the visual trick they pulled with the sloping roof line. I don't typically like these things either, but gotta hand it to them...

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...e-coupe-drive/

"You see, the body panel above the rear side window plunges down at a faster angle than the rear portion of the roof does. It's an optical illusion that gives the coupe a sportier look without making the rear seats useless. If the roof were painted the body color instead of being made of glass or this dark carbon fiber, the effect would be lost."

Agreed!

What’s really cool is that no matter which brand you prefer, you can get something practical, something fast, and luxurious (some here much more than others) and not sacrifice too much to a sports car or sedan.

My wife and I are likely to order the new SQ7 which would have also been cool to see tested here along with the RSQ8 and Urus.

[duercos]

So why not to get an X5/X6 m50i with an adaptive suspension, 20-21" wheels and throw in a chip/tune. Savings of $30k and a better ride 👌🏻

[Eddien123]

Why buy anything else? Because the X3M isn't $170,000

[THEROK]

All of them a compromised hot mess with a shelf life of a French baguette. No offense to current and future owners.

[jstein55]

While SUV's continue to improve greatly I'd still buy an RS6, E63S or Panamera ST over any of them.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by jstein55

While SUV's continue to improve greatly I'd still buy an RS6, E63S or Panamera ST over any of them.

100%

[Calvin36]

Porsche just knows how to build cars. They look the business and drives like it too!

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

Why buy anything else? Because the X3M isn't $170,000

That's exactly right. You can buy an X3M and add an M2 on top and it would still be cheaper than that overpriced cayenne that is not even their top of the line model.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

That's exactly right. You can buy an X3M and add an M2 on top and it would still be cheaper than that overpriced cayenne that is not even their top of the line model.

Exactly. Love Porsche and all but...

What I'd do is get an X3M and grab a slightly used Cayman GT4... Win and super win

[Alan l.]

Originally Posted by duercos

So why not to get an X5/X6 m50i with an adaptive suspension, 20-21" wheels and through in a chip/tune. Savings of $30k and a better ride 👌🏻

1) Tune = No warranty
2) Doesn't look special
3) Not a M

While ride comfort will be a lot better it also won't drive like M car either.

[themnmd]

I would pick the X6M over the Porsche. I think it just looks better and performance about equal in real world use

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by themnmd

I would pick the X6M over the Porsche. I think it just looks better and performance about equal in real world use

The performance is nowhere near "equal". X6M is much quicker.

[Noneya]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

The performance is nowhere near "equal". X6M is much quicker.

By what metric exactly is X6M "much quicker" than Cayenne Turbo Coupe?

[cfm56d7b]

MT comments about Levante Trofeo are spot on. I drove one and have exact same impressions about suspension behavior. Underwhelming.