A blue Buick GL6, seen at a parking lot near a Buick dealer in Beijing in 2018. The car was fresh from the factory, painted in blue with a brown-gray interior. The GL6 is a compact MPV produced by SAIC-GM for the Chinese car market.
The Buick GL6 is the smaller sister of the Buick GL8. The GL6 debuted in 2017. Back then, it was quite a popular car. But today sales are down due to the competition of way more modern offerings by Chinese brands.
The interior with a tiny screen and an abundance of buttons. In 2021 the GL6 received a much-needed update and the interior looks much better now. The Buick GL6 is based on the GM-PATAC K platform, developed by the SAIC-GM Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC).
The Buick GL6 seats six in a 2/2/2 setup or five in a 2/3 setup. The blue car we have here is a six seater. Size: 4692/1794/1626, with a 2796 wheelbase and a 1435 kg curb weight.
In 2018, the only engine available in the GL6 was a turbocharged 1.3 3-cylinder with an output of 163 hp and 230 Nm. The motor was mated to a 6-speed automatic, sending horses to the front wheels. Top speed was 195 km/h and fuel consumption 6.6 liters per 100 kilometer. Price started at 144.900 yuan.
With the 2021 update, the GL6 got a mild-hybrid 1.3 turbo + 48V motor powertrain. Output is unchanged but fuel consumption is down to 6.1 liters per 100. Price today (09/2022) starts at 149.900 yuan.
There isn’t any relation between actual engine output and the name. Every 2018 GL6 was called ’18T’. Today’s car is called the ‘323T’.
From the outside it look quite nice, with a shiny grille, a low beltline, and large windows. Note the Borgward dealer in the background; they are not around anymore.
In front of the Buick dealer I met this gray-brown example. Blue is better, I think.