BMW 6 Series GT hatchback - Interior & comfort (2017-2020)

It's not the most engaging car BMW makes, but the 6 Series Gran Turismo – especially with active air suspension – more than makes up for that with a focus on comfort that’s hard to fault. Rough road surfaces and bigger bumps are easily dealt with; when combined with the car’s remarkably quiet interior, this makes for a very relaxing driving experience.

Comfort is a major consideration in the 6 Series GT. Even the sports seats are great to spend time in, with excellent support and cushioning and high-quality leather trim. They come heated as standard, too, and you can even specify a massage function (around £800) if you choose the optional comfort seats (around £1,700).

It’s just as comfortable in the back, with seats set lower down than those in the car the 6 Series GT replaces.

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BMW 6 Series GT dashboard

BMW’s reputation for well built, logically laid-out interiors continues in the 6 Series GT, which shares much of its dashboard with the smaller 5 Series – it’s just been adapted to fit a slightly wider car. Fit and finish is excellent, as is the quality of materials used, with plenty of soft-touch plastics, leather and attractive wood and/or metal trim, all of which combine to give a suitably luxurious ambiance.

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Equipment

Standard equipment is good. All cars get BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with DAB radio, sat nav and a 20GB hard drive. Cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, two-zone climate control, power-adjusted heated seats, a rear-view parking camera and a powered bootlid are all standard, too, along with BMW’s ‘ConnectedDrive Services’ – a collection of apps, phone and online services that covers traffic information, Apple CarPlay and access to BMW’s ‘Concierge Service’ and emergency call connections. BMW's 'remote services' let owners check on their car and even flash its headlights, set its heating or lock and unlock the doors using a smartphone app. Leather upholstery and 18-inch (SE) or 19-inch (M Sport) alloy wheels are standard fit, as is adjustable ambient interior lighting.

Options

As with any pricey premium car, the basic list prices are almost meaningless, as most buyers will add some options. The good news is that whether you want to add a dose of individuality or tailor the 6 Series GT's functions to your needs, the options list is long and varied – if a little pricey.

These options are best specified bundled together into packages. Highlights include the Premium Package (around £2,900 on the SE, or around £2,500 on M Sport cars), which brings soft-closing doors, four-zone climate control, massaging front seats and ceramic finish on some controls, along with BMW’s Ambient Air package, which combines air ionisation with a sophisticated air fragrance system with a number of scents to choose from.

If swathes of leather and lots of space aren’t quite luxurious enough, BMW offers a 'Rear Seat Comfort Package' comprising heated, reclining seats all round, sunblinds for the rear windows, an extra 12-volt power socket and a pair of rear-seat entertainment screens with TV functionality, all for around £3,000.

The Technology Package, meanwhile, costs around £1,500 and includes BMW’s Display Key, full Bluetooth connectivity with wireless smartphone charging, wi-fi hotspot preparation, BMW Gesture Control (allowing you to control functions like the stereo and climate settings with a wave of your hand) and a heads-up display.

There are no fewer than six alloy-wheel designs available, ranging from 18 to 20 inches depending on model and specification. Inside, standard aluminium trim can be replaced with a choice of wood veneer or piano-black finishes for around £250 (Piano Black is over £500, though). There are also a number of leather colours to choose from.

Adaptive air suspension costs around £1,700 and is certainly worth the outlay. It gives a fluid, cosseting ride that’s befitting of a luxurious long-distance car like the 6 Series GT.