2020 BMW X6 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

When BMW is mentioned, many adjectives come to mind. European luxury and performance are a few. Hand-crafted is another. So is turbocharged power.

These are all connected to the 2020 BMW X6. A midsize luxury crossover SUV launched in the 2008 model year, it is now in its third generation for the company. What made the X6 a powerhouse in the past hasn't changed in this year's model. Instead, the designers took the bones of the BMW X5 series and added them to the X6 with some aggressive styling.

There are three trim versions of the 2020 BMW X6. Being their high-end luxury SUV, the starting MSRPs are high. The base trim, the sDrive40i, starts around $64,000. The mid-range trim, the xDrive40i, begins at $2,000 more than the sDrive. The M50i, the sport version of this vehicle, makes quite a jump in MSRP with a starting price of approximately $86,000.

This guide hopes to demonstrate the key differences between the various trim levels of the X6 to help buyers decide on the BMW configuration that works best for their needs and their budgets.

Compare the 2020 BMW X6 sDrive40i vs xDrive40i Trims.  What is the difference?

The minor price swing between the sDrive40i and xDrive40i is for the type of drivetrain each has. While the sDrive features a rear-wheel drive system, the xDrive40i has an all-wheel drive setup. After that, many of the offerings between the two trims are similar.

Take the engine. Each trim has a 3L TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine with 24 valves. It provides a hefty 335 horsepower and 330 pounds per foot of torque. Going from zero to 60, the sDrive is one-tenth of a second quicker than the xDrive trim. 5.2 seconds to 5.3 seconds, respectively.

Both trims come with an eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission that allows drivers to shift into manual and sport modes. They also come with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters to upshift or downshift without touching the stick.

The trims also come with Launch Control. This is a combination of electronic accelerator and computer program that enables the X6 to smoothly accelerate without engine over-revs or drive wheel slippage.

The other efficiency difference between the two trims is on the xDrive40i. It features Driving Dynamics Control. This feature allows the driver to switch between gas-saving mode (ECO), standard operations, and SPORT mode.

Since it is all-wheel drive, the fuel efficiency of the xDrive40i is slightly less than the sDrive. So slight that there's only a one-mile reduction between the two trims. On average, it gets 22 mpg in the city and on the highway. With a 22-gallon tank, either trim can take a driver on a journey of approximately 500 miles.

On the exterior, each trim comes with 20-inch, all-season tires that will run flat. They also have power-folding heated side mirrors -- a benefit to avoid scratching the reflective surface while scraping off ice. The eight exterior colors offered on the sDrive and xDrive are in the form of non-metallic paint.

The interior is also the same on both trims, and it befits its luxury label. The cabin is highlighted in high-glass wood and a dark grey roof liner. The seats are Vernasca Leather. Even the cargo area is fully furnished with velour carpeting.

The front seats on these 2020 BMW X6 trims come with 16-way power adjustments as well as a four-way lumbar support. A memory system recalls recent settings for the seats and steering wheel. In the back row, the seats have the ability to fold down to allow extra cargo room.

The driving area in both the sDrive and xDrive trims resembles a small plane cockpit. The leather-wrapped steering wheel offers controls for the audio system, Bluetooth, and hands-free mobile calls. The Live Cockpit Professional gives the driver two 12-inch displays that are operated by voice, touchscreen, or the iDrive touchpad.

In addition to Bluetooth, the 40i connectivity options include Apple CarPlay compatibility and BMW TeleServices to send potential service issues to the manufacturer for future maintenance. Furthermore, these trim versions of the 2020 BMW X6 come with the Connected Package Professional. It contains information on real time traffic and on-street parking as well as a natural speech intelligent personal assistant to handle various functions.

Though songs can be played through Bluetooth and other streaming services, these two trims still offer an AM/FM stereo. Both wireless and terrestrial setups are heard through a 10-speaker sound system with a 205-watt digital amplifier. Furthermore, the tuners are already wired to access SiriusXM Radio.

The sDrive and xDrive trims on the 2020 BMW X6 don't skimp on standard safety features. In addition to regular items like an ABS system, anti-theft alarm and a rear-view camera, there are advanced items like adaptive LED headlights, front and rear parking distance control, and sensor-controlled airbags that, for instance, deploy if a passenger of a certain weight is in the first or rear rows.

Add to these safety features a suite of driver assist controls that work toward zero collisions. The Active Driving Assistant package has daytime pedestrian protection, frontal collision warning, lane departure alert, and blind spot detection. Should a collision be imminent, the Active Protection System prepares passengers by closing windows and the moonroof, activating post-crash braking, and tensioning the seat belts.

The decision to purchase either the sDrive40i or xDrive40i trim on the 2020 BMW X6 depends on the driver's requirements. In the end, the main difference is between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive trains.

Those who focus their trips on city roads and highways will find the sDrive40i a sufficient trim. On the other hand, if they intend to use the vehicle in some off-road areas or in snowy environments, then the xDrive40i is the right choice. Of course, should the driver want to travel in rougher conditions at some point, it would be best to invest in the xDrive trim.

Compare the 2020 BMW X2 xDrive40i vs M50i. What is the difference?

As mentioned at the beginning, there's a large jump in price between the xDrive40i and the M50i. The primary reason for this is a shift to a sportier trim. Thus, the differences between the two offerings are easier to see than between the sDrive and xDrive.

The engine is the main display point. The 3.0L six-cylinder is replaced with a 4.4L, eight-cylinder, TwinPower Turbo engine. The shift in power allows for 523 horsepower and 553 pounds per foot of towing capacity. It also drops zero to 60 acceleration from 5.3 seconds to 4.1.

Unfortunately, the increase in power results in a decrease in fuel efficiency by approximately four miles per gallon. The driver of this trim gets 16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway for an average of 18 mpg. Where the xDrive40i gets almost 500 miles from one tank of gas, the M50i only gets 375 miles.

While both trims are all-wheel-drive systems, the M50i features the 'M' series of sport upgrades. For example, M Sport Brakes that contain fixed calipers and double-piston disc brakes for even pressure on the pads.

Then there's Adaptive M Suspension. Here, sensors measure driving conditions like speed, corners, and road conditions to adapt the suspension on the 2020 BMW X6 for rougher or smoother conditions.

The exterior design standards between the xDrive40i and M50i also contrast. For one, the amount of non-metallic finishes is reduced by two. For another, the chrome exhaust tips are swapped out for a Cerium Gray trim. In addition, the M50i comes with an aerodynamic kit to highlight the car's character. The interior of the vehicle also gets a sport finish with an aluminum tetragon trim.

Once the consumer gets past these significant changes, the rest of them are small. For instance, the M50i trim has the capability of remote software upgrades to its Connected Package Professional setup. On the sound side, the audio comes from a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system. It has 16 speakers and a 464-watt amplifier.

For comfort and convenience, the amount of power settings for the front seats increases to 20 with adjustments for shoulders, thighs, and headrests. The memory system is also enhanced. Not only does it cover seat and steering setups but also climate control, air distribution, volume control, and lighting.

The choice between the xDrive40i and M50i depends on budget and performance. The latter's 523-horsepower engine won't do much good if most driving is done in the city. Especially since it only gets 16 miles to the gallon. Conversely, the xDrive40i will do much better in this environment.

Which Trim to Choose?

When looking at the three trims offered on the 2020 BMW X2, the consumer needs to review their driving goals. That's because the choice comes down to rear-wheel versus all-wheel drive and a moderately powerful engine to one that can cruise around mountain roads in a snowstorm. Furthermore, they need to determine the trim that fits their budget, as there is a $20,000 difference between the sDrive40i and the M50i.

The choice between all-wheel-drive trims, the xDrive40i and M50i, was already mentioned. The $10,000 difference in MSRP is gives the consumer an engine with more horsepower and several M Sport upgrades. However, if this version of the 2020 BMW X6 is going to spend more time taking the family around the neighborhood or on the occasional long drive, the extra features aren't worth the cost. At that point, it's better to go with the xDrive40i.

What about the differences between the sDrive40i and xDrive40i? There’s only one major dissimilarity – the type of drivetrain. The sDrive is standard rear-wheel while the xDrive is all-wheel. Again, the consumer must look at the potential driving patterns with the vehicle. The xDrive40i is built for those who don't travel in rougher terrains all the time, yet want to have the ability to do so every so often. The sDrive2840 is well-designed for city and highway commutes.

Overall, when selecting between the three trims, the xDrive40i is the recommended choice for a few reasons. First, it's only $2,000 more in MSRP than the sDrive. For that, consumers get all-wheel-drive capabilities along with the other standards.

Second, there may come a time a driver wants travel in rougher weather and road conditions. If they purchase the sDrive trim, it will cost them more money to convert the vehicle to an all-wheel-drive model. Thus, it's better to invest the $2K now on the xDrive.

Third, other than the engine, the M Sport packages, and some other small refinements, the xDrive40i has all of the comfort, convenience, connectivity, and safety features as the M50i. Furthermore, both have the ability to go all-wheel-drive. Even those who can afford it might want to consider the xDrive for $10,000 less.

Of course, this guide is simply the first step to choosing the right trim for the 2020 BMW X6. It will take a physical examination of the three options and possible test drives to determine what the best one is for consumers. That's why it's important for buyers to bring this information when ready to make a purchase.