2018 BMW 6-series GT review, road test

Love the BMW 5-series but find the long-wheelbase new Merc E-class’ space hard to look beyond? BMW might have just the car for you in its new 6GT.

Published on May 16, 2018 08:00:00 AM

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6GT is much better turned-out than its predecessor but still has its bulky angles.

The driving environment is very similar to what you’d get in a 5-series, but you do sit higher up in here.

With its air springs, tall sidewall tyres and adjustable ride height (it can be raised by 20mm), the 6GT has the right ingredients to tackle India’s roads. And the fact is that the 6GT really does do a good job of things. Keep the car in Comfort and you’ll love how pliant it feels over the bumps. It just glides over surface imperfections, and the minimal road and suspension noise just enhance that experience. The suspension is very absorbent and you also don’t get that residual side-to-side movement you’d typically experience in a car with such a long wheelbase. In general, the 6GT still feels much tidier and better controlled than the air suspension-equipped Merc E 350d that tends to float, bob and pitch with an increase in speed. Of the other modes, Comfort Plus mode adds in another layer of softness but is best suited to low-speed environments, while Sport makes the 6GT feel the most tied down at high speeds, if also a bit stiff-kneed in town. The good news is that you don’t have to constantly shuffle through the modes to suit the driving scenario. Leave the 6GT in Adaptive and it will automatically select the appropriate mode for you. Impressively, this mode reads conditions well. Also commendable is that the 6GT didn’t require us to raise its suspension to tackle bad bumps or big speed breakers in its time with us. The option to do so is handy, nonetheless.

From behind the wheel, you are always aware of the 6GT’s size but in Eco Pro and Comfort mode, the steering is light enough to make the car feel manageable. There’s more weight to the steering in Sport mode and you do get a greater sense of connect with the car, especially when it’s loaded up in a corner. However stable and planted the 6GT might feel in the bends, it’s never as agile or tight as a 5-series sedan. Purists in search for sheer driving pleasure have better options in the BMW line-up.