Track Tested: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

Edmunds.com tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

Say you have $95,000 to spend on an odd-looking crossover thing. Unlike most luxury manufacturers, BMW has not one, but two models to choose from. On the one hand, there's the X6 M, a Motorsport-tuned version that will embarrass sports cars that are half its weight.

And then there's the X6 ActiveHybrid, an equally expensive but slightly less nimble X6 that trades some performance for fuel-efficiency. Not much fuel-efficiency, mind you. On the highway, the X6 Hybrid's EPA number goes up two notches, but it still doesn't crack 20 mpg (its 19 mpg) while the city numbers goes from a paltry 12 mpg to a more respectable 17 mpg.

So day to day, the X6 Hybrid will drain your wallet at a slightly slower pace. Then again, all those batteries assure that you'll be moving at a slightly slower pace as well. The weight gain is nearly 500 pounds, which wouldn't be so shocking if the X6 M wasn't already a bit hefty on its own. Still, neither crossover is a slouch in the performance department as you can see from the numbers that appear after the jump. You just have to decide which numbers you care more about.

	X6 H	X6 M
0 - 30 (sec):	2.2	1.7
0 - 45 (sec):	3.6	2.9
0 - 60 (sec):	5.5	4.3
0 - 75 (sec):	7.6	6.4
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph):	13.6	12.6
0-60 With 1 Foot of Rollout (sec):	5.2	4.1
30 - 0 (ft):	29	28
60 - 0 (ft):	117	107
Slalom (mph):	61.1	68.6
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g):	0.81	0.91

Vehicle: 2010 BMW X6 Hybrid
Odometer:1,622
Date: 2/2/2010
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $92,325

Specifications:
Drive Type: All-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 7-speed automatic
Engine Type: V8
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 4,395cc (268cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 480 @ 5,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 575 @ 1,750
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Electric speed proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 275/40R20 106W
Tire Size (rear): 315/35R20 110W
Tire Brand: Dunlop
Tire Model: SP Sportmaxx
Tire Type: Summer
Wheel Size: 20 x 10 front - 20 x 11 rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): alloy
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 5,705

Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.2
0 - 45 (sec): 3.6
0 - 60 (sec): 5.5
0 - 75 (sec): 7.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 104.7
0 - 60 With 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.2
30 - 0 (ft): 29
60 - 0 (ft): 117
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 61.1
Skid Pad Lateral Acceleration (g): 0.81
Handling Rating: Good
Db @ Idle: 42.6
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.2
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.8

Acceleration Coments: No matter what I tried, the quickest runs were in Drive. I tried Drive Sport, manual shifting, brake torquing and they were all slower. Upshifts are smooth, but are very slow despite the "burp" between gears. I noticed the batteries recharged very quickly after each run so the trap speeds remained relatively consistent.

Braking Comments: Uncharacteristically soft, long-travel pedal for a BMW, but fade was not an issue at all. Straight, steady stops and zero ABS flutter/buzz.

Handling Comments: Skid pad: With undefeatable DSC, On versus Off were virtually identical with mild understeer kept in check with a closing throttle. Steering gets rather heavy. Slalom: Feels more capable than it truly is, and the undefeatable DSC makes one run completely different than another. Smooth input is the key, but any midcourse adjustment/correction causes massive DSC intrusion. Understeer creeps in as the limited approaches.