6-cylinder engines are renowned for the way they carry dual personas. If you want to just potter around the city, 6-cylinder engines are smooth, docile and surprisingly fuel-efficient, and when you want to put the hammer down, these motors can often deliver exhilarating driving experiences accompanied by a raspy exhaust note.
Given their numerous merits, we’ve put together a list of the five most affordable 6-cylinder cars you can currently buy in India, ranked by price in descending order.
5. BMW X5
Starting price: Rs 93.60 lakh
The first (and priciest) entry on this list is BMW’s luxury SUV, the X5. Under the hood, the entry-level X5 xDrive40i gets a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-6 that makes 381hp and 520Nm, channelled to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The X5 is also the only one on this list to offer a diesel 6-cylinder engine option, which costs Rs 1.90 lakh extra and develops 286hp and 650Nm.
Engine 3.0-litre, 6 cyl, turbo-petrol / 3.0-litre, 6 cyl, turbo-diesel | Power (hp) 381 / 286 | Torque (Nm) 520 / 650 |
Gearbox 8-speed torque converter | Drive layout AWD | Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) 5.4 (xDrive40i) |
Of the two, we’ve reviewed the X5 diesel and found that its mill is quite rev-happy and encourages redline pulls, yet still has ample grunt in the lower bounds of the rev range. Being a diesel, leisurely driving can yield some great fuel efficiency, too. As for the petrol-powered X5, BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 5.4 seconds, making it the quickest SUV here.
4. BMW Z4
Starting price: Rs 87.90 lakh
BMW’s sole drop-top offering, the Z4, stands out as the only ICE-powered 2-door car available this side of Rs 1 crore. It’s quite a potent one, too, thanks to a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-6 that puts out 340hp and 500Nm to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. More fervent buyers can shell out an additional Rs 4.70 lakh for the Z4 Pure Impulse edition, which features a 6-speed manual gearbox instead.
Engine 3.0-litre, 6 cyl, turbo-petrol | Power (hp) 340 | Torque (Nm) 500 |
Gearbox 8-speed torque converter / 6-speed manual | Drive layout RWD | Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) 4.5 |
In our review of the Z4, we remarked how good the engine’s soundtrack is and how quickly it responds to throttle inputs. Power delivery remains strong no matter where you are in the rev range, allowing for a very fun experience behind the wheel. The Z4 can sprint from rest to 100kph in a claimed 4.5 seconds, and in our own testing, the roadster managed a 4.8-second run.
3. Audi Q7
Starting price: Rs 86.14 lakh
Audi’s venerable Q7 3-row SUV has been on sale in the Indian market for several years, and the current-gen model is powered by a 340hp 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6. When we reviewed the 2024 Q7 facelift, we were impressed by the V6’s refinement and the way it makes this heavy luxury SUV feel brisk and enjoyable to drive.
Engine 3.0-litre, V6, turbo-petrol | Power (hp) 340 | Torque (Nm) 500 |
Gearbox 8-speed torque converter | Drive layout AWD | Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) 5.6 |
The Q7 comes equipped with an 8-speed torque converter automatic and Quattro AWD. Despite the X5 rival’s heft, Audi claims a 0-100kph time of just 5.6 seconds.
2. BMW M340i
Starting price: Rs 73.95 lakh
Perhaps the most popular performance sedan in India right now, the M340i is a driver’s delight that can also be used every day. One of the key reasons behind the M340i’s repute is the 374hp 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-6 it packs under the bonnet, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox sending power to all four wheels.
Engine 3.0-litre, 6 cyl, turbo-petrol | Power (hp) 374 | Torque (Nm) 500 |
Gearbox 8-speed torque converter | Drive layout AWD | Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) 4.4 |
As noted in our review of the 2025 M340i, this straight-6 is an absolute firecracker thanks to explosive power delivery in the Sport and Sport+ driving modes. In the Eco and Normal modes, meanwhile, the M340i is much quieter and better suited for daily use. BMW claims that the M340i can hit 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds – the quickest car on this list – and we validated this in our performance testing by capturing a 4.39-second run.
1. Audi S5 Sportback
Starting price: Rs 73.57 lakh
One of the best-looking Audis on sale, the S5 Sportback also happens to be the most affordable 6-cylinder car in India right now. Audi sells the S5 Sportback with the same 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 as the Q7, though with a slightly higher power output of 354hp. Much like the Q7, the S5 gets an 8-speed torque converter automatic and Quattro AWD.
Engine 3.0-litre, V6, turbo-petrol | Power (hp) 354 | Torque (Nm) 500 |
Gearbox 8-speed torque converter | Drive layout AWD | Claimed 0-100kph time (seconds) 4.8 |
Our S5 Sportback review details how the sports sedan’s drive modes instantly switch the V6’s character. In Dynamic mode, the S5 Sportback roars across the rev band and delivers power ruthlessly, and Comfort mode turns it into a refined and smooth machine you can use every day. The S5 Sportback achieves 0-100kph in a claimed 4.8 seconds.
All prices are ex-showroom, India.
Saptarshi Mondal
Saumil Shah
