With the 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW has created a winner. It has a decent amount of passenger space and utility for people with families. On top of this, you get impressive performance and sleek coupe-like style.Read full review
Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007 and has written more than 2,500 car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Alex is a correspondent for Edmunds and has also written for MotorTrend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Super Street, CNET, PRI Magazine, AutoWise and other publications. When he’s not writing about cars, he’s wrenching on his E30-generation BMW 325is, which he’s owned since college and plans to restore one day.
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
Engines are smooth and powerful
Nimble handling for such a big car
Surprisingly usable cargo space
Luxurious and comfortable interior
Cons
Low roofline compromises rear headroom, ease of entry and visibility
Infotainment system takes a long time to master
What's new
Mild exterior refresh that includes illuminated kidney grilles
Larger 12.3-inch touchscreen
Exclusive 8 X Jeff Koons edition featuring pop art graphics
Part of the first 8 Series Gran Coupe generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The BMW 8 Series is a sporty and luxurious two-door that's fantastic to drive, but like all luxury coupes, it competes in a niche segment where sales volumes are relatively low. How might one improve the business case of a flagship coupe that's destined to sell in low numbers? If you're BMW, you stretch the wheelbase 8 inches, add a set of rear doors, and call it the 8 Series Gran Coupe.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe has only been on sale since 2020, but it's already getting a refresh alongside the 8 Series coupe and convertible, which arrived a year earlier. The 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe receives a redesigned dual-kidney grille with illuminated U-shaped slats and side mirrors inherited from the M8. Additionally, the interior has been subtly revised with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen front and center. The supply chain issues that caused BMW to build some vehicles without touchscreen functionality last year have been resolved, the automaker says.
Even in base trim, the Gran Coupe offers impressive performance for a large sedan. But with the growing popularity of so-called four-door coupes, the 8 Series Gran Coupe faces formidable competition. Some of its sloped-roof rivals include the Mercedes-AMG GT, Audi S7 and Porsche Panamera. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to see how the BMW stacks up.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
With the 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW has created a winner. It has a decent amount of passenger space and utility for people with families. On top of this, you get impressive performance and sleek coupe-like style.
How does the 8 Series Gran Coupe drive? We tested the 840i xDrive, which has all-wheel drive. BMW's turbocharged six-cylinder provides more power than you'll need on a daily basis, and it delivers it in an impressively smooth manner. At the Edmunds test track, our car hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. That's a quick time though typical for a base-engine luxury sedan of this size. Braking performance is strong, but the pedal's lack of finesse can make it hard to consistently stop smoothly.
Around turns, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is stable yet deceivingly quick. There's heaps of traction and you don't have to tiptoe around it either. Just mash it and go. The steering effort is light, and the 840i is easy to maneuver around town. The steering doesn't provide much feedback, but it's accurate and complements the accessible handling capabilities of this car. This is a well-sorted luxury sedan.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the 8 Series Gran Coupe? The 840i strikes a nice balance of comfort and sport. The adaptive suspension's Comfort setting filters out a lot of the ride harshness we experienced in the high-performance M8. The front seats provide a nice amount of support and adjustability. In back, the 8 Series is pretty comfortable, though we'd like the seatbacks to be less upright.
The 840 cabin is well insulated against wind and tire noise. You'll hear the six-cylinder when you rev it out. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound as sweet as the M850i's V8. The climate controls aren't very intuitive to use, and the air conditioning lacks the cooling power we'd want for really hot days. The optional seat ventilation is also pretty weak.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? There's plenty of passenger space inside the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Sure, it concedes some headroom because of the sleek roofline. But legroom is abundant, and the driver's seat and steering column have more adjustment range than most of us will know what to do with.
The lower roofline is a bit of a hassle when it comes to getting in and out of the car, particularly the back. It also slightly impedes rear visibility. But if you spring for the Driver Assistance package, the 360-degree camera system and parking sensors eliminate any need to guess.
BMW's iDrive isn't the most intuitive to learn, but once you've become acquainted, it works well and doesn't distract you from the road. The use of a dial controller and touchscreen provides good redundant control, unlike Audi and Porsche, which have gone full touchscreen.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $10,639 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $10,639 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the M850i xDrive trim.
2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i xDrive pricing in Ashburn, VA
How’s the tech? The 8 Series makes a strong showing on the tech front, primarily with an excellent suite of advanced driver aids and capable voice command system. These features fall a bit short of what Mercedes offers, but they prove convenient when it comes to easing the burden of rush-hour traffic or turning on your seat ventilation without lifting a finger.
The standard Harman Kardon audio system delivers solid sound. We don't see any real benefit to upgrading to the pricier Bowers & Wilkins systems. The 840i also comes with onboard navigation that's easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is also included, and Android Auto is finally rolling out as a late addition on the 8 Series. Our test car had four USB ports and two 12-volt power ports.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? With trunk space of 15.5 cubic feet, the Gran Coupe slots between the AMG GT and the Porsche Panamera. Helping matters out are the 40/20/40-split rear seats that fold nearly flat via the trunk-mounted releases. The low liftover height (it's lower than the AMG GT's and Panamera's) and hands-free trunk function make loading groceries easier if your hands are full.
In-cabin storage is a bit lacking, but the available areas including the center armrest and glovebox are more usefully sized. If car seats are a part of your life, rest assured that the Gran Coupe has you covered. It has an abundance of backseat space and easy-to-access car seat anchors.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The 840i Gran Coupe with all-wheel drive has an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway). That's more fuel-efficient than the Panamera 4 (20 mpg combined) or Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 53 (21 mpg combined).
We averaged 22.5 mpg over 600 miles of mixed driving, which is an indication that the EPA figures are realistic. Traffic was particularly light due to the 2020 pandemic, but it's still a good indication the 840i is one of the more efficient models in its class.
Value
8/10
Is the 8 Series Gran Coupe a good value? You might have a hard time believing a $100,000 car could be considered a "good value," but hear us out. Within this class, the 840i xDrive Gran Coupe actually comes in around $12,000 less than its closest competitor without any compromise in performance or build quality. Cabin design will always have an element of subjectivity, but we think the BMW's is as solid as any, even if it's not designed to evoke as much luxury.
BMW's warranty and ownership perks are better than most, too. The basic and powertrain warranties align with other German makes at four years/50,000 miles, with a generous 12-year rust-through warranty and roadside assistance for four years. BMW is also the only one in this class that offers complimentary maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.
Wildcard
9/10
Sure, the 840i packs almost 300 horsepower less than the M8, but it is still rewarding and fun to drive. It also devours curvy roads with surprising ease. The beauty of all this is you don't really give up much by adding two extra doors. This coupe-style sedan has style to draw the right kind of attention plus genuine space for family or friends.
Which 8 Series Gran Coupe does Edmunds recommend?
For the best bang for your buck, go with the 840i xDrive. It offers fully sufficient power and handles exceptionally well for a car its size, and it's even better with all-wheel drive and the all-weather peace of mind that comes with it. The 840i xDrive also costs tens of thousands less than the M850i.
The Porsche Panamera is likely the closest thing you'll find to a true four-door sports car. This sleek hatchback sedan is a solid performer even in base V6 form, delivering crisp, accurate steering and corner-hugging handling. At the same time, the Panamera is reasonably comfortable on the road. Overall, the Porsche is the more engaging four-door, though that extra dynamic edge comes at a price premium over the Gran Coupe.
The Audi S7 is the medium-hot version of the A7 fastback sedan, slotting beneath the hardcore RS 7. The S7 looks the part of a sporty sloped-roofline sedan, but unfortunately it's not as engaging as others in the class, including the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Still, it does come with more grunt (444 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque) for around the same price as a base Gran Coupe. It also has the better interior, highlighted by higher-quality materials and more impressive tech.
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a coupe sedan inspired by the now-discontinued AMG GT sports car, and even though the two have little in common, the four-door is sporty enough to be worthy of its namesake. Despite its size, the AMG GT is perfectly at home hustling down a winding back road. The GT and Gran Coupe are pretty evenly matched in terms of performance, but one area where the BMW pulls ahead is ride quality since the AMG's suspension is on the stiff side.
Our experts’ favorite 8 Series Gran Coupe safety features:
Side Collision Avoidance
Automatically steers the 8 Series back into its lane if it wanders, if the driver attempts an unsafe lane change, or if an adjacent vehicle drifts too close to the BMW.
Traffic Jam Assistant
Helps keep the 8 Series centered in the lane and follows the car in front in stop-and-go traffic.
Active Protection System
Automatically tensions seat belts, closes the windows and sunroof, and activates the brakes when it detects an imminent collision.
FAQ
Is the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the 8 Series Gran Coupe has 15.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe:
Mild exterior refresh that includes illuminated kidney grilles
Larger 12.3-inch touchscreen
Exclusive 8 X Jeff Koons edition featuring pop art graphics
Part of the first 8 Series Gran Coupe generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 8 Series Gran Coupe's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 8 Series Gran Coupe is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?
The least-expensive 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $102,500.
Other versions include:
M850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $102,500
What are the different models of BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?
If you're interested in the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, the next question is, which 8 Series Gran Coupe model is right for you? 8 Series Gran Coupe variants include M850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of 8 Series Gran Coupe models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i xDrive info