BMW 6 Series
14 model years from 2005 to 2019, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

- Model years
- 2005–2019
- Class
- Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 18–26 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2008 (2)
- Fewest problems
- 2019
- Interest
- 8,583 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2019 6 Series in brief
The 2019 BMW 6 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,409 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 14% worse than the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The BMW 6 Series has 14 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2019, classed as Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2013 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 18 to 26 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the unknown or other (2), electronic stability control (esc) (2), electrical system (2).
Buying used? 2019 has the fewest problems in our data.
2010 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 3 campaigns and 4 owner complaints.
How the 2005 6 Series compares
The 2005 BMW 6 Series is a subcompact car offered with a 4.4L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2005 subcompact car average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
About the BMW 6 Series
The BMW 6 Series is a range of grand tourers produced by BMW since 1976. It is the successor to the E9 Coupé and is currently in its fourth generation.
From the Wikipedia article "BMW 6 Series", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2019 6 Series pros & cons
Full 2019 details →What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 14% below the 2019 compact car average of 26.8 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2019 6 Series
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 5 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
6 Series changes by model year
- 2019
- New body dimensions: 7.9 in longer, wheelbase +8.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2013
- Lightest version 154 lb heavier
- 2012
- New body dimensions: 2.3 in longer, wheelbase +3.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engines added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 4.8L 8-cyl
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Best combined MPG up from 18 to 26
- 2006
- Engine added: 4.8L 8-cyl
- Engine dropped: 4.4L 8-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 14 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 200.4 in | 4,409 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 23 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,650 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,409 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,409 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,409 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,409 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,387 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 192.5 in | 4,387 lb | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4.8L 8-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.2 in | 3,814 lb | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4.8L 8-cyl | 18 MPG | 190.2 in | 3,814 lb | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4.8L 8-cyl | 18 MPG | 189.8 in | 3,814 lb | Not rated | 2 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4.8L 8-cyl | 18 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4.8L 8-cyl | 18 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 4.4L 8-cyl | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
Alternatives to the 2019 6 Series
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 BMW 5 Series | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2019 Audi A6 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2019 Lexus LS | 28 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2019 Lincoln Continental | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2019 Tesla Model S | 370 mi | Not rated | 10 |
| 2019 Jaguar XJ | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →