2024 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i xDrive

The 2024 8 Series Gran Coupe is a stylish, sporty alternative to its stately 7 Series sedan counterpart. The Gran Coupe tucks four doors under its sleek, tapering roofline, giving it some versatility absent in its two-door 8 Series coupe cousin. Granted, those rear two doors and the low roof require a bit of gymnastic skill to maneuver elegantly, and tall rear-seat passengers will quickly get familiar with the headliner. Those quirks aside, once seated, driver and passengers are treated to classic BMW refinements, from premium soft leather and ample legroom to a cushy, controlled ride and melodic six- and eight-cylinder engines.

The 8 Series lineup was updated last year with revised front-end styling and a larger infotainment touchscreen, so the Gran Coupe carries over into 2024 with no changes. That's not a bad thing, but if we called the shots, we'd have streamlined the quirky infotainment system and made it easier to navigate. As it is, there's a learning curve. We'd also have boosted the climate control and improved cooling on the optional ventilated seats. But these are minor complaints. The Gran Coupe's extended length (9 inches longer than the standard 8 Series) and extra width (1.2 inches) create more legroom and cargo space than the two-door version. The trunk is also a bit larger, and the Gran Coupe seats five passengers, making it the more flexible family choice if you like its coupe look but still need big sedan utility.

As much as a $90,000 car can be considered a value, the Gran Coupe is a good one. It costs several thousands less than high-end four-door coupe rivals like the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, but it sacrifices little. The Benz's cabin is a little snazzier and its turbo six-cylinder engine nearly 100 horsepower stronger than the Gran Coupe's standard turbo-six, but both offer similarly exquisite ride comfort. The Panamera gets updates for a new generation, but the outgoing base model — not expected to change significantly — delivers similar performance to the BMW. The Audi S7 is the bargain of the bunch — it offers many of the same features as the Gran Coupe for less, along with far more power and cargo space.