2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo

Combining the best attributes of a station wagon and a crossover, the all-new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo offers loads of space for people and cargo. It replaces the 5 Series Gran Turismo and will, in time, become the only 6 Series in the company's line-up.

Overview

Looks are subjective. We will say, however, that the styling of the 6 Series GT is a significant improvement over that of the outgoing 5 Series GT. The wide twin-kidney grilles connected to a pair of sharp, elongated headlights fall in line with other members of the BMW family, like the 5 and the 7 Series. The aggressive taper to the rear of the greenhouse ending in a sharp, vaguely Audi-esque Kammback design reduces visual mass without compromising interior space.

Which is good, because that's what the 6 GT is all about: space. It offers a crossover-like 31 cubic feet with five passengers on board. Fold the rear seats down to free up 65 cubes. Those figures make it considerably more spacious than the 5 Series, which it's closely related to, and bigger inside than even the X3.

The view from the driver's seat will look familiar to those who have driven a new or late-model BMW. The center console is tilted towards the driver while the infotainment system consists of a high-resolution screen mounted on top of the dashboard and a knob next to the gear selector. A three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a digital instrument cluster are also part of the package. Upscale materials like real wood trim, aluminum inlays, and soft leather surround the passengers.

Technical Specifications

We admire BMW for being realistic. Company officials know the 6 GT is a low-volume model so they've pared down the line-up to a single model named 640i xDrive. It comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine that makes 335 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque between 1,380 and 5,200 rpm.

An eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system transfer six-cylinder's power to the pavement. The GT performs the benchmark zero-to-60-mph sprint in 5.1 seconds and goes on to a top speed that's electronically limited at 130 mph.

Fuel economy checks in at 19 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg in a combined cycle.

Standard and Optional Features

The 6 Series GT comes well equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights, automatic high beams, power-folding side mirrors, chrome-look exterior trim, 16-way power-adjustable sport seats, leather upholstery, SensaTec upholstery on the dashboard, a 12-speaker sound system, navigation, a digital instrument cluster, cruise control, a push-button ignition, a panoramic moon roof, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, heated front seats, a power tailgate, a universal garage door opener, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad.

Want more? Highlights from the list of extra-cost options include a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable rear seatback, a head-up display, an upgraded sound system, Apple CarPlay (which many auto-makers offer as standard), a rear-seat entertainment system, soft-close doors, carbon fiber mirror caps, and remote-controlled parking.

Buyers also have several option packages to choose from, including the Luxury line, the M Sport line, the Dynamic Handling package, and the Executive package. Buyer beware: pile on the options and you can price the 6 GT well into 7 Series territory.

Occupant Safety

All 6 Series GT models come standard with dual front, side and front and rear side-curtain airbags as well as traction and stability control systems. BMW also includes a lane departure warning system, a blind spot monitoring system, front collision warning, and city collision mitigation.

Key Competitors

The BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is truly a one-of-a-kind vehicle on the market. No other car quite offers its blend of wagon, crossover, and sedan attributes and its (ahem) unique styling. More traditional crossovers like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW's own X5 are its main rivals. Alternatively, buyers can look at station wagons like the Mercedes E-Class and the Volvo V90.