Remember when: BMW X6

SUVs are all the rage.

High-riding wagons now make up more than 42 per cent of all new car sales in Australia, far more than traditional passengers cars likes sedans and hatches at a smidge under 35 per cent.

And it is this popularity that is spurring on car makers to build more and more varieties to satisfy the general public's seemingly unquenchable thirst for SUVs.

The latest trend is pint-sized luxury SUVs like the Audi Q2, Jaguar E-Pace and Volvo XC40. More and more niche vehicles are entering the market to provide a point of difference and attract new customers to a particular brand.

However, back in 2008 the ultimate niche vehicle was born - a certain Frankenstein SUV - the coupe-style SUV.

BMW's X6 was the answer to the question that no one really asked. It combined solid ground clearance, all-wheel drive traction and a high seating position with a luxury interior and a stylish four-door coupe body, which itself is whole other styling niche of its own.

The luxury SUV was revealed in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show with sales commencing in 2008.

Now, this wasn't the best time to launch a new luxury focused niche vehicle seeing as the global financial crisis was wreaking havoc around the globe.

However, the German maker had one advantage as the SUV market was about to go off.

In 2008 SUVs made up just 19 per cent of new car sales, so in the next 10 years high-riders would experience huge growth.

BMW must have been doing something right with the X6 because soon after it was launched a number of copy cats were hitting the market in the form of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Range Rover Evoque. Now even Toyota has got in on the act with its pint-sized C-HR.

The X6 used the underpinnings of the popular X5 SUV, so unlike an all-new vehicle the car had a proven track record and an established engine line-up.

Initially when launched down under in 2008, the X6 offered a choice of either a six-cylinder turbocharged petrol or diesel engine with the former making 225kW and 400Nm and the latter 210kW and 580Nm. Both were paired to a six-speed auto that drove all four wheels.

Despite the all-wheel drive and gutsy engines it would be a fair bet that these machines would never see the rough stuff, especially when prices started at $114,000 for the petrol and $120,000 for the diesel.

Later the X6 range swelled with a number of higher-capacity engines including a dedicated M variant that originally boasted a 4.4-litre turbo V8 petrol unit making 408kW and 680Nm. Now, modern versions are tuned to produce 423kW and 750Nm.

The BMW X6 has enjoyed enough success that it has spawned a family of vehicles for BMW including the X4 based on the regular X3 and the X2 which shares its underpinnings with the smaller X1 SUV. However, the X6 has seen its popularity drop lately with the car experiencing a fall in sales each year since 2015, though an upcoming all-new model in 2020 should reinvigorate the SUV's fortunes.

While the X6 is still polarising 10 years on, there are sure to be more SUVs that will cause debate.

2008 time capsule 

Average price of unleaded petrol – 135.02 cents

Highest grossing movie – The Dark Knight

Top of the charts – "Low", Flo Rida feat T-Pain

NRL premiers – Manly Sea Eagles

AFL premiers – Hawthorn Hawks