My wife and I had just climbed out of the X6 SUV, one of BMW's newest models, and were walking away from it when she summed up her thoughts on its interesting shape. "It looks like an Aztek," she scoffed, in reference to Pontiac's often-maligned (and now discontinued) SUV. That's sure to make BMW cringe, and while there are some similarities between the two from the outside, there's a lot more to this new BMW than just its looks — though they are among its signature elements.

What else, you ask? Despite its large size, it's a respectable performer thanks to a powerful inline-six engine and taut suspension, and it has a fairly large cargo area when you consider its rakish appearance. That look does make for some compromises elsewhere, though, particularly in terms of visibility and backseat comfort.

I tested the base trim level of the X6, which is called the xDrive35i, and briefly drove the V-8-powered xDrive50i.

• Styling
• Ride & Handling
• Going & Stopping
• The Inside
• Cargo
• Safety
• X6 in the Market