Used 2019 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe 650i xDrive Sedan Review

Mercedes-Benz created a new segment and changed the luxury car game when it introduced the CLS, a sedan with a coupelike roofline. It took a while, but BMW eventually followed suit with its own "four-door coupe," which lives on today as the 2019 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. It promises a stylish blend of four-door practicality and the driver-centric sportiness of a classic grand tourer.

Unfortunately, the 6 Series Gran Coupe might be a little too much coupe and not enough sedan. Rear headroom and vehicle entry and exit are significantly compromised by the sweeping coupe roofline that gives the car its trademark profile. The seat-high center tunnel makes it nearly impossible for anyone to occupy the middle seat, essentially creating a 2+2 seating arrangement. The cargo area is more than 5 cubic feet smaller than that of the related 5 Series (the previous-generation model to be exact) and doesn't come with the utility-enhancing hatchback lid of other sedan-coupes such as the Audi A7 or BMW's own 4 Series Gran Coupe. And then there's the cost for this packaging exercise: The 640i Gran Coupe is considerably more expensive than the more practical and recently redesigned 5 Series.

The Gran Coupe is still good in the typical BMW way, with excellent interior materials, a strong features list and exceptionally smooth, powerful engines. Just be aware that you can't really have your cake and eat it, too.

It may be difficult to put a label on the 2019 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, but there's no question about the level of performance and luxury it brings to the table. It's available in two trims — 640i and 650i — that are primarily differentiated by their engines. Both can be ordered in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (xDrive), and numerous features packages are shared between the two models regardless of powertrain. There are some stand-alone options and a few premium exterior paint, interior trim and upholstery choices available through BMW's Individual program.

The 640i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six (315 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque) matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. Befitting a high-end luxury sedan, the list of standard features is lengthy and impressive. Accoutrements include 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned adaptive suspension dampers, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, LED foglights, automatic wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, power-folding mirrors and a tilt-only sunroof.

Inside, you get dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats (with heating and four-way lumbar adjustment), driver-seat memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, a Wi-Fi hotspot, BMW eAssist emergency communications, a navigation system, the iDrive infotainment system with an integrated touchpad on the controller, a 10.2-inch central display screen, smartphone app integration, and a nine-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB port, HD and satellite radios, and a one-year trial to Apple CarPlay. BMW is the only company that makes CarPlay a subscription.

The 650i eschews the smooth and sensible six-cylinder and is instead propelled by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (445 hp, 480 lb-ft). It also adds 19-inch wheels, 20-way power-adjustable seats with passenger-seat memory settings and adjustable side bolsters and thigh support, upgraded leather upholstery, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and BMW concierge services.

Several optional packages are available on both models. The Cold Weather package provides heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The Driving Assistance package features blind-spot warning, a head-up display, speed-limit information and BMW's Active Driving Assistant, which bundles lane departure warning, a forward-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. There's also a Driving Assistance Plus package that further adds adaptive cruise control and an automatic emergency braking system that can operate at higher speeds. The Parking Assistance package adds a 360-degree parking camera and an automated parking system.

The Executive package adds power-closing doors, four-zone climate control and ventilated front seats. The 640i's version of this package includes the multicontour seats, Harman Kardon stereo and concierge services, while the 650i's version adds a power rear sunshade, manual rear window shades, contrast stitching and ceramic-trimmed controls. These items are available as individual options on the 640i.

The M Sport package includes unique 19- or 20-inch wheels, an aero body kit, a sport steering wheel, a simulated-suede headliner and a higher top-speed limiter. There's also an M Sport Edition package that roughly combines the M Sport package and the contents of the 650i's Executive package. The BMW Individual Composition package lets you special-order leather and wood trim hues that aren't available otherwise, while the Black Accent package equips the Gran Coupe with gloss-black exterior trim and a two-tone extended leather interior.

Stand-alone options include some of the above items plus adaptive suspension stabilizer bars (known as Adaptive Drive), enhanced Integral Active Steering with rear-wheel steering (not available on xDrive models), a night-vision camera, active front seats, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system.