WE LIKE
1. Everything that comes from the standard 5 Series
2. The drivetrain
3. Build quality
WE DON'T LIKE
1. Everything unique to the Grand Tourer
2. Styling
3. Inert handling
We usually rate BMWs higher than two stars, but we honestly find it hard to recommend the Grand Tourer. It is not that the car is without merits - it has the same excellent engine and gearbox you find in all big BMWs, the same superb build quality plus a classy interior. The problem is that it completely underwhelming to drive and its use of space is quite poor, given its vast bulk - a major problem with a car sold as a more spacious alternative to a 5, or even 7 Series.
The idea of the Grand Tourer is to provide a selection of benefits from the BMW range: the driving position of the X5 without the SUV looks, the experience of an executive saloon with more room, and a profile that (allegedly) reminds people of a coupe. But that is like trying to cook a meal by raiding the fridge while blindfolded. Those attributes have very little to do with each other and some are just fanciful. BMW has gone to the trouble of making the side windows frameless, as with luxury coupes like its own 6 Series, but will anyone seriously mistake this tall, bulky car for a coupe?
Despite being quite a lot larger than a 5 Series estate, the boot is considerably smaller - just 440 litres which must be some sort of record for a hatchback of this size with the rear seats upright. That increases to a respectable, if awkwardly shaped 1,700 litres when the rear seats are folded. However, folding those seats perfectly encapsulates everything that is wrong with the Grand Tourer. Just folding the rear backrest (the part you sit on is fixed) takes six separate operations. The rear seat is in three parts and each part has a separate solid divider between itself and the luggage area, so you have to drop three dividers and three seats. It is this air of having found the most complex solution to every problem that pervades the whole car.
In truth the Grand Tourer was conceived as a hedge against the expected collapse of the SUV market. In fact big SUVs are selling much better then BMW feared when this car was being designed, which renders the car pretty superfluous. By all means buy either a 5 Series estate or an X5, but we would not suggest splitting the difference with the Grand Tourer.
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User reviews (10)
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Anonymous20 July 2010
This is a great car! I own the 530d version and it is very nice to drive. The only down side i think the car has is that the armrest on the doors are not big enough to rest your arm on-but it's no big deal. Also the panoramic glass sunroof is superb in the summer and makes the car look bigger inside. I have only had some faults in it like an air leak coming through the windows at speeds of 40mph which is quite annoying. The biggest problem I had on the car was that all of the windows had to be replaced because they had scratches on them due to opening the windows. The dealer said that the factory probably forgot to put grease in the windows- windows work fine now though.The car looks much better in the metal than in pictures. I woudn't recommend this car to someone who likes going shopping in tesco for example because the car struggles to fit in an ordinary parking space. Overall a great car :)
Report as inappropriateKinetics25 July 2010
The 2-star rating borders on the ridiculous. Every other review of this car I've read rates it highly, especially in terms of ride and overall comfort. Even Fifth Gear's own category ratings are mostly 4 or 3 stars. Yet inexplicably they end it giving the car 2-star rating overall!
Report as inappropriateWhy so Ugly25 July 2010
This is one of the ugliest cars on the road today, is bulbous and out of proportion. I'm not saying it's a bad car as I have not driven one and I won't comment when I have no knowledge of the car but by god it's soooooooooo ugly in the pictures and even worse in metal and that's enough to put me off........
Report as inappropriateIan Thompson27 July 2010
This (530d) is probably one of the best cars I have ever owned and follows two CLKs and a CLS. It drives well, responds to the various drive settings you can dial in and goes like the wind. I can see the 'what's the point' arguement with the 5 series on one side and the X6 on the other, but I really do have no compaints, it's a great package and admired by all that have been in it. Certainly I agree with the view that the 2* rating is bizarre.
Report as inappropriatePaul13 August 2010
Just had a ride in the GT. Vey roomy and comfy, beautifully built too. Only two stars? Not according to my impressions.
Report as inappropriateaiad26 August 2010
the gt has nice front end nice light tha prob is ind rear i thenk its agly and its cost alot u can spend it in somteng beter
Report as inappropriatePero10 September 2010
Obviously there comes the age of the ugly cars! That awful new Audi A7 Sportback, then sucking Panamera, then this horrible thing! Seems like designers got tired of trying to make perfect-looking cars... I'm absolutely sure that 10 years from now there will be a hard competition for the biggest-mistake-award in car design.
Report as inappropriatePero10 September 2010
Excuse me, I forgot the worst example - BMW X6...
Report as inappropriateAnonymous02 October 2010
Why only give the GT 2 stars? it deserves more than that at least a 4 star. Why say it is a big bulky car? what are you comparing it to a BMW 1 series!?? besides this car should be compared with the Mercedes S class, Jaguar XJ etc and all of these are heavy and bulky which makes them stand out of the crowd.
Report as inappropriateActual Owner03 November 2011
Notice that people who have one rate it high - and it is a great car to have. It is big, but unless you are used to Nissan Micra or similar, that shouldn't worry you. Practical car for people who can afford an impractical one... or two. I for one, enjoy it a lot more than X5 and will be looking for a GT update in a few years.
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