2019 BMW 6-Series

We’ll rate the 2019 640i GT because that’s the version we think more buyers should (and will) consider. It gets a point above average for its handsome interior and we rate it at 6. The Gran Coupe, if rated separately, would do better. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Paring down the 6-Series lineup this year, BMW left the GT and Gran Coupe body styles that both feature four passenger doors and a hatchback or trunk, respectively.

The GT starts out like the 7-Series sedan from which it’s based, but adds a rising rear end that finishes with a long hatchback and small decklid spoiler. It’s a distinct profile, but lacks the athleticism of the 6-Series Gran Coupe.

The Gran Coupe’s roofline and proportions are racier and elegant, even years after the four-door’s introduction. It’s helped the Gran Coupe stay relevant among the similarly styled Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Inside, both feature splendid materials that include standard leather upholstery and real wood accents. It can be too restrained for some; the 6-Series GT is conservative among BMW’s other interiors, including the 5-Series.

We don’t mind. The 640i GT takes aim at practical luxury buyers and delivers a functional, comfortable interior that we think will age well.

Starting from an average score, we give the 6-Series GT a point above average for the power from its turbo-6 and land at a 6. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

The 640i GT and Gran Coupe share the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 and 8-speed automatic transmission. In the GT, the turbo-6 makes 335 hp and in the Gran Coupe it makes 315 hp.

Regardless of output, the turbo-6 is impressive and smooth and powers the 640i up to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

The 8-speed automatic is similarly impressive, too. It fires off smooth shifts, up or down, and its behavior is customizable via driver select modes that range from frugal to furious.

The GT is equipped with BMW’s all-wheel-drive system, called xDrive, as standard. The 6-Series Gran Coupe is available with rear-wheel drive only, or all-wheel drive when optionally equipped for $3,000 more. Both are geared more toward all-weather confidence and performance than off-road ability (in case the low ride height wasn’t a giveaway that the 6-Series is better on the street).

The 6-Series Gran Coupe gets a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 that makes 445 hp and 480 lb-ft in 650i spec. It’s predictably quick, with a 0-60-mph time of just a tick over 4 seconds.

The M6’s power is prolific enough that we cover it separately.

Among the standard 6-Series versions, the Gran Coupe is the performer of the bunch but it comes at a cost. The low roofline and athletic pace aren’t cheap; the Gran Coupe costs $12,000 more than the GT.

The GT is no slouch, but its taller center of gravity and bulk aren’t as confident in cornering as the Gran Coupe. Rear-wheel steering is available in the 6-Series GT that can virtually shorten the wheelbase or improve turn-in but we’d advise caution on the latter feature; for some of us, the rear-wheel steering felt unnaturally loose, like the rear end was skating around corners.

In all versions, the 6-Series steers confidently and handles well. Bigger, 20-inch wheels on Gran Coupe models ride rougher than the bunch, partly due to the standard run-flat tires that are fitted to all models.

Starting from an average score, we give the BMW 640i GT points above average for its comfortable seats in the front and rear, its spacious cargo area, and for its luxury fittings. It earns 8 out 10, but versions other than the GT wouldn't rate nearly as well. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Like the 7-Series from which it’s based, the 2019 6-Series offers 16-way power-adjustable front seats that are spacious and comfortable. Also like the 7-Series, the 6-Series GT offers real leather hides as standard equipment—we’d hope so for more than $70,000 to start. Those seats can be upgradeable to 20-way adjustable, heated and cooled seats with massagers for $2,600 more.

In back, the 6-Series GT is spacious and roomy for three adults. The outboard seats are more comfortable than riding hump, natch, but all aboard should fit comfortably under the GT’s tall roof. Rear-seat riders get more than 40 inches of leg room, and while the rear doors open wide for easy entry and exit, the low roof means drivers need to

Under the hatch, the 6-Series GT offers more than 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is impressive for nearly anything not called a pickup truck. Fold the rear seat down and that space balloons to more than 65 cubes.

Because of that capacity, the GT is our pick for comfort and capacity over the Gran Coupe, which asks that rear-seat passengers sacrifice some head room for its dramatic roof line.

Leg room in the Gran Coupe isn’t great either, just 35.3 inches compared to the GT’s 40.4.

The Gran Coupe offers 18.5 cubic feet of room in its trunk.

Regardless of configuration, the 6-Series is well-equipped with luxury fittings. In all cars, the leather, wood, and metal trims are impressive although both GT and Gran Coupe are conservative even after a run through the myriad options list.

The two can be similarly equipped with safety gear, although the GT gets automatic emergency braking as standard equipment—the Gran Coupe asks $1,700 more for the lifesaving technology.

Included with automatic emergency braking are lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitors, pedestrian detection, and on GT versions, speed limit information.

A spend-up extra on both is BMW’s active driving assistant that uses adaptive cruise control and active lane control to keep the 6-Series centered in its lane for long distances or in stop-and-go traffic. BMW’s system is comparatively good among many models, although newer luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz and Audi offer the same features with smoother operations.

Outward vision in the Gran Coupe is understandably challenging considering its dramatic roofline. The GT is marginally better, although the steeply raked rear window cuts into rear vision. Both cars have mandated rearview cameras, and offer surround-view camera systems as optional extras.

Starting from an average score, the 6-Series GT earns points above average for its standard equipment, infotainment screen, good warranty, and copious options. We take one point back for a baffling subscription service for Apple CarPlay that asks owners to pay more each year after the first. The 6-Series lands at 8 for features. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

BMW asks that customers pay dearly for the 6-Series Gran Coupe’s elegant shape. It costs more than $82,000 to start and is equipped with leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless smartphone charger, and power trunk. The Gran Coupe critically lacks standard automatic emergency braking that the GT has, it’s a $1,700 option on the four-door.

From there, both the Gran Coupe and GT offer a raft of amenities to customize the luxury car with more leather, more wood, bigger wheels, upgraded audio, and sporty exterior accents.

A fully loaded 650i xDrive with all of the above approaches $110,000, which is within earshot of the M6 Gran Coupe that has more power.

We’d stick instead with the 640i GT, which is based on a newer architecture borrowed from the 5-Series and is more practical than the Gran Coupe. It costs less too; a well-equipped 640i GT with leather, premium audio from Bowers & Wilkins, heated and cooled front seats with massagers, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and active driving assistants costs less than the base Gran Coupe without those features.

The 6-Series Gran Coupe is based on an older architecture, but the ratings are roughly similar.

Rear drive 640i Gran Coupes are rated 20/29/23 mpg. All-wheel-drive versions shave 1 mpg from all of those figures.

With a bigger V-8, the 650i rates 18/25/21 mpg, or 17/25/20 mpg with all-wheel drive.

All versions of the 6-Series require premium unleaded.