Open gallery 
by Matt Saunders 10 November 2017 Follow @TheDarkStormy1 Share
How we test cars
Any expanding company is likely to launch at least a couple of slow-selling product ‘flops’ for every successful model introduction – even with the most thorough, expert designers and market researchers on the payroll.
It’s an unavoidable consequence of growth, you might say. And BMW has certainly been growing quickly enough these past 20 years to have perpetrated the odd dud in among its glitteringly successful product triumphs.
More raked A-pillars and curving roofline than the 5 GT are key attempts to add visual appeal to the bigger 6 GTMatt SaundersRoad test editor
Very few car-industry watchers – living in Europe, at least – would argue that the 5 Series Gran Turismo ought to be spared criticism on that front.
This awkward-looking jacked-up executive hatchback has singularly failed to hit its sales targets everywhere apart from in China, where buyers responded more positively to its blend of luxury, convenience and value than anywhere else on the planet.
This was a car launched in 2009, before either of Audi’s Audi A7 or A5 Sportback siblings, before the original Porsche Panamera and before Mercedes-Benz’s CLS Shooting Brake.
Its genesis therefore came before consensus had formed about the most viable way to combine style and space in an alternative to a modern executive saloon. And to look at one today, wouldn’t you know it?
You might imagine BMW could ill-afford to directly replace a car like that – and yet, encouraged by BMW the warmer reception enjoyed by its current 3 Series Gran Turismo, that’s more or less what it is doing.
Advertisement Back to top
The 6 Series Gran Turismo is a slightly lower, longer, roomier, better-looking and better-appointed attempt at precisely the same vehicle concept as the 5 Series GT, the change in identity from ‘5’ to ‘6’ intended to more accurately define the car within the wider BMW range.
Related BMW 6 Series GT 2017-2020 reviews
BMW 640i xDrive M Sport Gran Turismo 2018 UK first driveBMW 6 Series GT 2017 first drive
And with BMW the old 6 Series Coupé and Convertible set to be replaced by de-facto equivalents in the bigger 8 Series family, this will be the only 6 Series you can buy before too long.
The particulars and nuances of its mission, compared with luxury executive rivals and BMW’s large and medium-sized in-house alternatives, are what we’re here to explore.
Verdict Model tested: Rating:
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo 2017-2020
GoodComfortSpace and visibilityMulti-talented diesel powertrainOutstanding infotainment featuresBadStill not desirable or visually appealing enoughRun-flat tyres with M Sport trimOptional Comfort seats should be more comfortable