C'mon friends...

We all know that this test is typical of the "spectrum" tests that magazines use to benchmark a ground-breaker (the X6) against more familiar protagonists. The X6 sits at one end of the spectrum, followed by the GTS, then the RR Sport and, at the complete other end of the spectrum the traditional SUV - the ML 500.

This is not a toe-to-toe comparison of direct competitors.

It's also one where the magazine could've turned it around from a semantic point of view and stated:
"Most people never use their expensive SUV's for anything other than luxurious urban transport - most luxury SUV's never even see a country lane - let alone an offroad track. Moreover, this burgeoning segment has drivers demanding more on-road dynamics and sportier looks to go with their preference for a raised driving position and sense of SUV impunity. Two box load capacity and ground clearance are ever decreasing as important decision criteria. Therefore, it is in this respect that the X6 outshines all of its competitors presently - it simply is the best car on the road here."

But they didn't - primarily, I suspect, because the X6 doesn't have any direct rivals - instead opting to go with a broader evaluation of the measurable criteria that are traditionally associated with modern, urban SUVs.

From my point of view this is as rational an outcome as can be expected from such an irrational comparison.

Auto Zeitung says the ML500 is a better SUV than an X6. No shit Sherlock?!?

No surprise here...