Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

BMW 6 Series GT review

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo replaces the 5 GT, offering all the gadgetry and tech from the latest 7 Series in a practical hatchback body

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
  • Rear-seat space and practicality, powerful engines, impressive refinement
  • Still looks ungainly, not as sharp to drive as a 5 Series, high list prices
Find your BMW 6 Series
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Despite looking much like the old BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, the new 6 GT is a far more accomplished car. Supposedly mixing the space and tech of a 7 Series with the dynamic grace of a 5 Series, the 6 GT should be the perfect compromise, but in reality it’s not as appealing. It feels suitably luxurious, and space in the back is very impressive, but it still feels a little lardy on the road. Its heavy-handed styling and bulky rear-end means it’s not ideally suited to European tastes, and will remain a bit of a niche offering here.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The 6 GT badge was brand-new for 2017. Despite looking much like the old BMW 5 GT, the new car is actually based on the larger 7 Series. BMW has seen huge success from its supposedly ‘niche’ models – especially ones like the X4 and X6 – and as a result has chosen to funnel funds at its large executive hatchback.

Rather than turn its back on the slow-selling 5 GT, BMW reinvented it as a 6 Series variant. Said to offer the space and tech of a 7 Series but with the handling prowess of the smaller 5 Series, the 6 GT should offer the best of both world. In reality, it doesn’t quite work. 

Best executive cars on sale

Available in just one bodystyle (even the standard 6 Series Coupe and Convertible will use the 8 Series badge in 2018), the 6 GT is a five-seat executive hatchback with little in the way of direct rivals. BMW may mention models like the Audi A7 and Mercedes CLS, but their sleek shapes offer quite different propositions.

The engine line-up is a bit limited, too, with only three options at launch. The entry-level 630i GT gets a four-cylinder turbo petrol motor, while the flagship six-cylinder cars are badged 630d and 640i. We’ve not driven the most basic model yet, and every car we’ve tried has been in M Sport spec. An SE is also available. All cars use an eight-speed Sport Automatic gearbox, while xDrive all-wheel drive is optional on the 30d. It’s standard on the 40i. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on 6 Series

Best summer cars 2024: our top choices and where to drive them
Best summer buys - header image

Best summer cars 2024: our top choices and where to drive them

The Auto Express team list their dream wheels for the warmer months
Best cars & vans
24 Jun 2024
Used BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012-2018) review
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe - front

Used BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe (2012-2018) review

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW 6 Series Mk3, covering the four-door Gran Coupe that was on sale between 2012 and 2018
Used car tests
13 Sep 2023
Used BMW 6 Series GT review
Used BMW 6 Series GT - front

Used BMW 6 Series GT review

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW 6 Series GT covering the 6 Series GT Mk1 that has been on sale since 2017
Used car tests
31 Jan 2021
Used BMW 6 Series review
Used BMW 6 Series - front

Used BMW 6 Series review

A full used buyer’s guide on the BMW 6 Series covering the 6 Series Mk2 (2011-2018)
Road tests
30 Oct 2019
New BMW 6 Series GT 2017 review
BMW 6 Series GT - front cornering

New BMW 6 Series GT 2017 review

The new BMW 6 Series GT blends the dynamics of the 5 Series with the space of the 7 Series, but what's it like to drive?
Road tests
12 Oct 2017
New BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo revealed at Frankfurt
Frankfurt - BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo - front

New BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo revealed at Frankfurt

The new BMW 6 Series GT has debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, before arriving in the UK in November
News
12 Sep 2017
BMW 6 Series Coupe (2011-2017) review
BMW 640d Coupe

BMW 6 Series Coupe (2011-2017) review

The BMW 6 Series is a great grand tourer that's luxurious, quick and rewarding to drive
In-depth reviews
21 Feb 2017
BMW 6 Series range gets kit updates for 2017
BMW 6 Series blue front

BMW 6 Series range gets kit updates for 2017

BMW adds a range of optional styling and equipment upgrades to 6 Series Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe
News
20 Dec 2016
New BMW 6 Series to morph into Porsche 911 rival

New BMW 6 Series to morph into Porsche 911 rival

The next generation BMW 6 Series will be a sports car designed to take on the Porsche 911. Our exclusive images show how it could look
News
10 Jun 2016
Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo rear

Renault Twingo

Car group tests
21 Jul 2015
BMW M6 Coupe review

BMW M6 Coupe review

BMW M6 sits at the top of the stylish coupe range with a storming 567bhp V8 engine
In-depth reviews
1 Jul 2015
Skip advert
Advertisement
BMW M6 Competition Package 2015 review

BMW M6 Competition Package 2015 review

The more focused Competition Package takes the BMW M6 super coupe to new heights
Road tests
26 Jun 2015
BMW M6 Gran Coupe review
BMW M6 Gran Coupe - front driving

BMW M6 Gran Coupe review

The four-door BMW M6 Gran Coupe is the most expensive and luxurious car yet from the high-performance 'M' brand
In-depth reviews
1 Jun 2015
New BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2015 review
BMW M6 Gran Coupe - front driving

New BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2015 review

It might not be the best M car out there, but there's no denying the BMW M6 Gran Coupe's huge performance
Road tests
29 May 2015
BMW 640d Coupe review
BMW 640d Coupe

BMW 640d Coupe review

Styling tweaks inside and out, plus efficiency gains, give BMW's mighty 640d grand tourer a mid-life boost
Road tests
29 May 2015
New BMW M6 Competition Package boosts power to 592bhp

New BMW M6 Competition Package boosts power to 592bhp

Engine tweaks increase power and torque, making the M6 even faster than before
Articles
18 May 2015
New BMW 6 Series 2015 review

New BMW 6 Series 2015 review

Revised coupe impresses on the road, but the 650i is expensive
Road tests
18 Mar 2015
BMW 6 Series and M6 facelift arrive

BMW 6 Series and M6 facelift arrive

BMW has given its 6 Series range a mid-life makeover, debuting in Detroit
News
13 Jan 2015
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe review
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe 2014 front cornering

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe review

The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is a stretched version of the Coupe with extra doors and the same powerful engines
In-depth reviews
6 May 2014
BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS7 Sportback
Audi RS7 vs BMW M6 Gran Coupe

BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS7 Sportback

Can Audi’s fiery 552bhp RS7 beat four-door coupe rival from BMW?
Car group tests
14 Jan 2014
BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS7 video
BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS7

BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Audi RS7 video

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Audi RS7 go head to head in this exclusive video
Videos
10 Dec 2013
BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2014 review
BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2013 front action

BMW M6 Gran Coupe 2014 review

The BMW M6 Gran Coupe provides thrilling 552bhp performance – but it's expensive
Road tests
1 Nov 2013
BMW M6 Gran Coupe
BMW M6 Gran Coupe front tracking

BMW M6 Gran Coupe

The stunning new 552bhp BMW M6 Gran Coupe adds a dose of practicality to the M car package
Road tests
19 Apr 2013