2021 BMW 6 Series GT 630i M Sport Review

In Malaysia's executive sedan market, the demand for "luxury" is shifting from mere brand premium to a balanced experience of "space practicality + technological configuration"—this is precisely the niche of the 2021 BMW 6 Series GT 630i M Sport. As a model that blends coupe-like sleekness with the practicality of a touring car, it retains BMW's driving DNA while addressing the traditional executive sedan's pain point of limited trunk space with the GT model's spacious design. This test drive will focus on three core aspects: does its coupe-like design compromise practicality? Is the 2.0T engine sufficient for daily driving? And, does its rich set of intelligent features justify the RM430,000 price tag?

From a distance, the silhouette of the 2021 630i M Sport is reminiscent of a coupe—the fastback roofline flows smoothly from the B-pillar to the rear, complemented by the sporty enhancements of the M Sport kit, completely void of the traditional touring car's "bulky feel." The front features BMW's signature kidney grille, though its size hasn’t been exaggerated, paired with smoked LED headlights that strike a balance between distinctiveness and subtlety. The waistline along the side of the body extends from the front fender to the taillights, while 20-inch twin five-spoke wheels (front 245/40 R20, rear 275/35 R20) further enhance its sporty stance, with the wide rear tires hinting at its rear-wheel-drive handling characteristics. The rear's highlight is the 3D LED taillights, with the iconic BMW "L" shape light strips when lit, while the dual exhaust outlets on both sides are exclusive details of the M Sport kit. Overall, the design balances sportiness and elegance, making it suitable even for business occasions without coming across as ostentatious.

Opening the door, the Keyless Operation system provides automatic unlocking. The luxury of the interior comes from the combination of materials and technological features. The dashboard uses a mixture of soft-touch materials and metal trims, with all areas within reach being made of soft-touch materials. The M Sport steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara, providing a firm grip and resisting slipping. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and the 12.3-inch touch infotainment display adopt a seamless design, with the interface smoothness living up to BMW iDrive system's usual standards. It also supports CarPlay/Android Auto integration. Notably, the standard HUD (Head-Up Display) feature can display speed, navigation, and driving assistance information, reducing the need to frequently glance down at the dashboard during daily driving.

In terms of configuration, the 630i M Sport is remarkably "fully loaded": the front seats offer electric adjustment and memory functions, and the passenger seat is also adjustable electrically, while the rear seats support a 40:20:40 foldable split; dual-zone automatic air conditioning with rear independent air vents ensures comfort for both front and rear passengers; the Harman Kardon 16-speaker sound system with Sound Plus functionality delivers class-leading audio quality. The storage spaces are also well-designed: a hidden compartment below the center console, a center armrest box spacious enough to hold a 10-inch tablet, and storage slots on the front and rear door panels can accommodate two 500ml water bottles each.

The dimensions of the 2021 630i M Sport are 5091mm×1902mm×1538mm, with a wheelbase of 3070mm, which directly reflects on the interior space. With my driving position adjusted for the front row (height 178cm), there is a headroom of a fist and two fingers, without any sense of oppression; the rear legroom exceeds two fists, and although the headroom is slightly compromised due to the fastback design, there is still a fist of clearance, allowing even a 180cm passenger to sit without their head touching the roof. The floor hump in the middle of the rear row is not too high, making it relatively comfortable for a third passenger during short trips.

The trunk has a standard capacity of 610L, nearly 200L larger than the 5 Series sedan of the same class, and can easily fit two 28-inch suitcases and a carry-on suitcase; if the rear seats are folded down, the capacity can be further expanded, even accommodating large items like bicycles, which is one of the key advantages of GT models. Moreover, the car is equipped with a 220V/230V power socket, convenient for rear passengers to use laptops, making it very business-friendly.

The 630i M Sport is equipped with a 2.0T four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 258PS and peak torque of 350N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 6.5 seconds. In actual driving, the power response during startup is not overly aggressive, but once the turbo kicks in (around 1550rpm), the burst of power is sufficient. In mid- to high-speed acceleration and overtaking, pressing the throttle deeply will quickly downshift the transmission, providing a linear and continuous power output. When switched to Sport mode, throttle sensitivity noticeably increases, the steering wheel becomes heavier, and the shifting logic becomes more aggressive, suitable for occasional "enthusiastic driving."

As for the chassis, the combination of front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension strikes a balance between handling and comfort. During daily drives on asphalt roads, the suspension effectively filters out most minor vibrations; when encountering speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension rebounds crisply without unnecessary shakes. The steering wheel has precise alignment with minimal slack, and the body roll is well-controlled during cornering. The rear-wheel-drive layout provides more driving pleasure compared to front-wheel-drive models. However, the 20-inch wheels, paired with thin tire walls, deliver slightly more direct feedback from the road, resulting in a clearer road feel.

In terms of fuel consumption, we tested it under mixed road conditions (30% city + 70% highway), and the actual fuel consumption was about 8.1L/100km, slightly higher than the official figure of 7.3L. However, considering the vehicle's weight and power output, this performance is within an acceptable range. The performance of the driving assistance system is also quite stable: the lane departure warning lightly vibrates the steering wheel to alert the driver when the vehicle drifts out of its lane, and the automatic braking feature provides early warnings and assists with braking when obstacles are detected ahead, significantly reducing driving stress during daily commutes.

As for noise control, the performance of the 630i M Sport is commendable: at a highway speed of 120km/h, wind and tire noise are kept within a reasonable range and do not affect conversations inside the car. Engine noise during rapid acceleration can be heard in the cabin, but it comes across as a relatively deep growl, which is not unpleasantly loud.

The core advantages of the 2021 BMW 6 Series GT 630i M Sport are very clear: first, its "coupe + estate" crossover positioning, which not only meets users' demand for aesthetics but also addresses practicality with its spacious interior; second, its "no weak points" configuration—features such as HUD, Harman Kardon audio system, and fully digital instrument cluster are standard, offering better value compared to the 5 Series Li or E-Class sedans in the same class; third, its driving experience is well-balanced, with the 2.0T power being sufficient for daily use and the chassis striking a good balance between handling and comfort.

However, it does have minor drawbacks: the sloping roofline design slightly limits headroom in the rear compared to traditional executive sedans, and the thin tire sidewalls are less adaptable to road conditions. But overall, these shortcomings are "acceptable compromises."

This car is most suitable for: middle-class families aged 30 to 45 who need the prestige for business settings but also value practicality for family travel; or young consumers seeking driving pleasure without sacrificing space. Compared to the similarly priced Audi A6 Avant, the 630i M Sport offers richer features; compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, it provides more rear space.

In conclusion, the 2021 BMW 6 Series GT 630i M Sport is a "well-rounded" executive crossover—it’s not the most sporty or the most comfortable, but it strikes a great balance among aesthetics, space, features, and driving pleasure. If you’re looking for an "all-rounder" executive vehicle, it’s worth considering.