BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Review 2024

Draw a Venn diagram of all the things drivers say they want in a luxury car and you would likely come up with the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. For anyone who wants comfort, space, luxury and sound driving dynamics all mixed together with practicality and a dash of affordable running costs, this is quite possibly the perfect car for you.

The problem is that different people put varying amounts of emphasis on each of these requirements and this is where the 6 Series GT begins to falter and fall into a very small niche.

It’s not as big and practical as a BMW 5 Series Touring and nor is it as luxurious as a 7 Series saloon. An X5 or X6 does the SUV thing far better, while the 8 Series caters to those who want a sleek and sporty coupe.

A lot of buyers for the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo will fancy the M Sport model for its sharper styling and more aggressive flair. This comes with a caveat as the M Sport versions sit on larger wheels with run-flat tyres, which has a detrimental effect on ride comfort. This can be countered by turning the Drive Performance Control modes to the Comfort setting, though this does seem to defeat the point of buying a sporting version.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo SE models have a more cosseting ride, which we’d take over the M Sport’s, and as for engine choice we’d opt for the 630d. While it uses a little more fuel than the 620d and not as outright fast as the 640i, it brings the best blend of performance, economy and running costs along with superb levels of refinement.

All BMW 6 Series Gran Turismos have a super slick eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard and the 630i models are strictly rear-wheel drive only. However, the diesel-powered models have the option of rear-drive or all-wheel drive. Choosing four-wheel drive takes the edge off economy and acceleration very slightly, but many will consider this worthwhile for the extra traction on greasy roads.

The BMW 6 Series GT sits in a rarefied niche thanks to its five-door fastback styling. The Audi A7 is the only direct competitor with the same layout and the A7 has a broader engine range. It also comes with all-wheel drive as standard on all but the base diesel version, while offering a roomy, opulent cabin.

Others to look at as rivals to the 6 GT are the sleek four-door coupe Mercedes CLS and the Jaguar XJ, which takes a coupe-like approach to the luxury saloon market.

BMW has long since nailed the build quality of its cars, especially the ones at the upper end of its range such as the 6 Series Gran Turismo that potentially appeals to former 7 Series owners. Like the 7 Series, every stitch, joint and panel gap is carefully crafted and gives the GT cabin a real sense of strength and depth of construction.

This is a feeling reinforced by the choice of materials used in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, such as the soft leather, piano black inserts and subtle chrome and metal trim finishes. It combines to lift the cabin above the humdrum of acres of black leather and aluminium trim of many of the BMW’s rivals. You also have the option of upgrading to some tasteful wood trim finishes to further the feeling of being ensconce in a truly luxurious interior.

All of the controls work with the ideally weighted precision we’ve come to expect from BMW. Again, it gives the driver the satisfaction of interacting with the car and knowing where the considerable cost of choosing the 6 Series GT has been spent.

BMW uses the same 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen in the 6 Series Gran Turismo that it does in the 5 Series range. This is a good thing as it’s one of the best systems we’ve ever used.

There are four ways to operate the infotainment. The first is using the remote steering wheel buttons, which is ideal for simple task such as answering the phone and adjusting the stereo volume. 

Or, you can use the touchscreen by pressing, swiping and pinching as you would with a smartphone, and the screen is within easy reach for the driver. The third option is BMW’s Gesture Control that is part of the optional Technology Pack that also includes a wifi hotspot and Head-up display. It works by you making hand movements in the space in front of the infotainment screen. It works, but misses the accuracy of the other two operation methods and it soon losses its appeal.

Of course, there is also the iDrive controller down by the gear lever that is a simple, effective way to scroll through the infotainment’s screens. It comes with a Touch Function too, so you can trace out destinations for the sat-nav.

All of this is backed up with a 20GB hard disc, along with standard Bluetooth connection, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and various other online services as part of the Connected Professional Package that is included with the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo.

With the same wheelbase as the 7 Series, the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo enjoys the same level of extremely generous cabin space front and rear as the luxury limo. 

This means anyone sitting in the rear of the 6 GT is going to feel very lucky as they have plenty of room to stretch out their legs. There’s also more than ample shoulder room and headroom is also very good even with the M Sport models’ panoramic sunroof fitted. It’s also worth noting the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo offers much more commodious rear seat accommodation than any of its rivals.

There are three seats in the back of the 6 GT as standard and all get a triple-point belt. There are also ISOFIX child seat mounts on the two outer pews. With the middle seat, there’s a raised cushion and flat back section, but it’s big enough for an adult to travel here without feeling too hemmed in.

Electric seat adjustment is an option for the rear seats and it’s one that’s worth having if you routinely carry adults back here. It allows them to recline in aircraft-style luxury and marks out the BMW from its most obvious rivals.

Head round to the back of the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo and it is not as clever as the 5 Series GT it replaces as the hatch is a one-piece item that simply opens in the way a normal tailgate does. There’s not a separate lower opening portion, but this does mean the hatch swings up to reveal a big aperture with a load sill that sits flush with the floor. Also, the load sill is much lower than you find with SUVs, which helps with lifting in heavy bags.

The boot itself offers a vast 610-litres in standard format and this can be extended by dropping the 40-20-40 split and tip rear seats to reveal as much as 1,800 litres. This puts it comfortably ahead of the BMW’s main competitors.

There are two petrol and two diesel engines to pick from with the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. The entry point is the 620d with its 190PS 2.0-litre diesel motor. It deals with 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds in rear-drive form or 8.0 seconds if you choose the xDrive four-wheel drive version. Either way, it’s quiet, smooth and surprisingly well suited to the 6 GT despite its size and weight.

However, the 630d diesel is the better bet thanks to its meatier 265PS that gives the 6 GT a more muscular turn of speed. It sees off 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, or 6.0 second in xDrive trim, which is plenty for a luxury car. More importantly, it works seamlessly through the eight-speed automatic gearbox that is standard across the Gran Turismo range.

For petrol fans, the 258PS 630i four-cylinder turbo motor is the less expensive way into BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo ownership. It’s no slouch as it can dash off 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds and it remains quiet and smooth, but there is always the sense it’s working harder than any of the other engines in the line-up.

As a result, we’d take the 640i in a petrol-powered 6 GT. Its twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder motor produces a strong 340PS that’s enough to deal with 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds. It also means it has plenty in reserve for high speed cruising and overtakes slower traffic with relaxed ease.

Even if you choose the smaller four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines in the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, you won’t be bothered by anything as crass as a noisy motor. Certainly, both of these engines can be heard under very hard acceleration, but you’re not likely to be driving the GT in this fashion often or for very long. Even when joining a motorway, both are smooth and quickly settle to a very distant hum when cruising.

For even greater hush, the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines in the 640i and 630d respectively are impressively quiet. Like the smaller engines, they work through the eight-speed automatic gearbox with barely any discernible shift from one gear to the next.

Wind and road noise sounds are also very well contained and barely make any impact on the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo’s cabin or occupants. This is equally true when mooching around town as it is when spearing between one end of the country and the other on the motorway.

Another element that adds to the 6 GT’s impressive refinement is the way all of its controls work in balance with each other. Ideal weighting for the accelerator pedal is matched with strong, progressive braking.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo was tested by Euro NCAP in 2017, and it scored the expected five stars. It rated highly for adult and child occupant protection, and for pedestrian impact, but only scored 59% for safety assist on account of some of the safety kit being optional.

It’s an impressive list of standard safety equipment that comes with the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo. It includes twin front, side and curtain airbags, as well as one for the driver’s knees. There are three-point seat belts for all five occupants and Isofix child seat mounts on the two outer rear pews.

BMW also includes its DSC traction and stability control, along with autonomous emergency braking. This detects oncoming hazards and performs an emergency stop if it senses the driver has not reacted in time. Coupled to the BMW’s active bonnet that pops up in the event of a collision, the BMW scored a strong 81 per cent rating for pedestrian protection.

Also standard on the 6 GT are BMW’s Icon Adaptive LED headlights with High-beam Assistant to give the best spread of light without dazzling oncoming traffic. All-round parking sensors are included, along with a reversing camera, while automatic headlights and wipers are on all models.

However, some safety kit such as Lane Departure warning is optional, which seems mean, and is part of the Driving Assistant pack that also includes Cross-traffic Warning, Lane Change Warning, Approach Control Warning, and Speed limit indicator.

This pack can be further upgraded to the Driving Assistant Plus option that has Active Cruise Control, Crossroads Warning, Evasion Aid, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, and Wrong-way Warning.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo scored an underwhelming 8.67 out of 10 for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Survey, making the worst performing BMW out of all those surveyed.

BMW as a brand also failed to perform, coming 20th out of 30 manufacturers overall. That suggests the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo doesn't guarantee trouble-free ownership, but as with any used car we'd suggest only considering cars with a fully-stamped service history.

The cheapest BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo to get insurance cover for is the 620d in any of its forms as all sit in group 40. Opt for the 630i and it’s one group higher in the 41 banding.

There’s a jump to group 43 for the 630d SE models, while the M Sport versions sit another group up for this model. Take the 640i and both the SE and M Sport varieties sit in the maximum group 50 to calculate their premiums.

There's no money to be saved here, as all versions of the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo attract the £520 premium rate of VED in years two to six on account of their over £40,000 new price. After that they all switch to the lower £165 rate.

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo SE is the starting point and it comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, adaptive LED headlights, cruise control, all-round parking sensors and reversing camera, and a powered tailgate. You also get climate control, ambient lighting, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with 20GB hard drive memory, and Bluetooth. 

The 6 GT also comes with the Connected Professional pack of online systems, and Drive Performance Control with selectable driving modes. The SE also enjoyed leather upholstery, heated front seats with electric adjustment, and rain-sensing wipers.

Choose the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo M Sport model and you gains 19-inch alloys, M Sport body kit, and a panoramic glass sunroof. There’s firmer M Sport suspension and sports front seats, as well as unique pedals, steering wheel and braking system. Also, the M Sport has its instrument panel trimmed in Sensatec man-made leather.