BMW’s coupe-style SUV, the X6, is set to make a comeback in 2027, and if recent renderings are anything to go by, it’s going to spark plenty of debate. The X6 has always been a polarizing figure in the automotive world, and with BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse design language influencing its next iteration, reactions are already pouring in.
The first-generation X6, which debuted as a concept in 2007 before entering production in 2008, was a game-changer. It pioneered the coupe-SUV niche, a segment that, at the time, seemed almost absurd. And yet, BMW’s risk paid off, with the X6 becoming a major success, proving that there was indeed a market for a high-riding luxury vehicle with a sloping roofline.
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Development for that first X6, internally called the E71, actually began in 2003, years before rivals like Mercedes and Audi considered jumping on the bandwagon. Looking back, it’s astonishing to think that BMW was already working on such an unconventional SUV before social media platforms like Myspace had even become mainstream.
When the E71 finally hit the streets, it turned heads like no other. It wasn’t just another premium SUV—it was a statement. I remember driving one back in 2008, and the attention it garnered was unparalleled. Ferraris, Bentleys, and even other BMWs couldn’t quite match the sheer curiosity that surrounded the first-ever coupe-style SUV. People didn’t know what to make of it, but they couldn’t look away either.
Over the years, however, the X6’s impact started to wane. The second-generation model, the F16, which debuted in 2014, refined the formula but lacked the shock factor of its predecessor. While it retained its coupe-like proportions, it felt like an expected evolution rather than a disruptive force. The third-generation X6, the G06, currently on sale, improved on the design but played it safe, ensuring BMW stayed competitive against Mercedes-Benz’s GLE Coupe and Audi’s Q8.
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Now, as BMW prepares to launch the fourth-generation X6, expectations are mixed. The latest rendering suggests a bold new direction, with influences from the Neue Klasse philosophy that BMW has been teasing.
A more restrained kidney grille, streamlined bodywork, and flush door handles reminiscent of the Mustang Mach-E indicate a push towards modern minimalism. The overall shape, however, feels somewhat derivative of the smaller X2, scaled up for a more imposing stance.
This has left some longtime fans uneasy, as BMW’s recent design decisions—particularly with the 7 Series and i7—have been met with controversy. Many are hoping that the X6 doesn’t follow in the same polarizing footsteps.
Meanwhile, competitors are watching with amusement. Mercedes-Benz and Audi, both of whom now have established coupe-SUVs in their portfolios, have seemingly found the right balance between innovation and familiarity. The response from these brands to the new X6’s potential look has reportedly been less about concern and more about curiosity, with some even speculating that BMW’s radical styling shift might be a misstep rather than an advantage.
Another looming question is what will power the next X6. BMW has been aggressive in its push for electrification, but there’s still a significant demand for combustion engines in the luxury SUV market.
Whether the X6 will retain gasoline and hybrid options or fully embrace electric power remains unknown. Fans of the model hope BMW won’t completely abandon traditional powertrains, but with regulations tightening worldwide, the company may not have much of a choice.
