2020 BMW X5 M & X6 M Australia Pricing and Spec

BMW’s hefty, V8-powered X5 M and X6 M are on their way. New pricing, more power and plenty of gear to go with the go (and the dollars), they’re coming soon.

I was quite fond of the old X5 M, less so the X6 M. Not because the X6 was any worse, I just didn’t like the look of it. It was, fun, though, in a high-up, make-some-noise kind of way.

The 2020 X5 M and X6 M will be along for first deliveries in May and will come exclusively in Competition form, just like the X4 M and various other M cars.

How much is the BMW X5 M and X6 M and what do I get?

X5 M Competition: $209,900
X6 M Competition: $213,900

The main differences between the X5 and X6 M are, of course the bodywork. While the X5 is a very sensible large SUV – if indeed they’re large – the X6 is the swoopy coupe version. In other words, the one everyone loves to hate.

As for what’s included, the short answer is “a lot” because this new car is a lot more expensive than the old one. The X5 is M $21k more and the X6 M $16k.

So, you get huge alloys (21s at the front, 22s at the rear), auto laser light headlights (they’re awesome), four-zone climate control, live cockpit dash and 12.3-inch iDrive screen, leather and Alcantara everywhere, head-up display, Comfort Access including keyless entry and start, electric and heated front sports seats, auto parking, reversing assistant, reversing camera, around-view cameras, massive panoramic sunroof and a space-saver.

The no-doubt many-speakered harman kardon system is run via BMW Operating System 7.0 which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. BMW Teleservices uses the sat nav for various clever things, too. It also has gesture control so you can look like a lunatic (and flick a V when you want the next track, potentially enraging the person ahead of you).

Drivetrain & Chassis

Being a proper M, you get a 460kW, 750Nm twin-turbo V8, pretty much the same one in the M5. That’ll get you to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, which should be hilarious fun. The turbos are both twin-scroll units, which should mean impressive response at low revs for a huffed V8.

BMW says the engine has a motorsport oil supply system and a forged crankshaft to deal with all that twist.

As always, the excellent 8-speed ZF automatic sends the power to M’s version of xDrive, which is very rear-biased. An active M differential keeps things amusing between the rear wheels, too.

The 21-inch wheels at the front wear 295/35s and the rears, rolling on 22-inch wheels, are shod with 315/30 rubber. Thankfully, the usual M dynamic suspension can be left in comfort for some semblance of ride quality.

To keep things from entering orbit or a hedge, the front brakes measure 395mm with six-piston calipers and the rears are a still huge 380mm. 100km/h to zero happens in a mildly scary 32 metres. As in, if you’re stopping a car this big in that distance, you’ll be hauled out of your seat and hanging in the belts.

Redline Recommendation

Well, without driving it, who knows? But if they’re anything like the old cars, they will be hilarious fun. We’ll know more in the middle of the year.

Peter Anderson

Peter Anderson is the Editor and founder of the theredline.com.au. He’s been writing about cars for years and finds it difficult to talk about anything else.