2026 BMW 8 Series

There's an 8 Series for just about anyone, as long as you can afford its $100K starting price. To start, the 8 Series is available as a coupe, convertible or sporty four-door called the Gran Coupe, which is separately reviewed. All three body styles are offered in base rear-wheel-drive 840i and all-wheel-drive 840i xDrive models. There's also an M850i xDrive performance model that packs a V8 for power-craving shoppers with a larger budget. However, the top model is the 617-horsepower high-performance M8, which is only available in Gran Coupe or convertible form. The M8 coupe has been discontinued. If the 8 Series' price tag is too high, check out BMW's smaller 4 Series that offers a similarly varied lineup.

Mercedes-Benz has two alternatives to consider: the impressive but convertible-only SL and the recently introduced CLE. The CLE coupe and convertible are similar in size and are more affordable. There's also the Lexus LC, a stunning two-door available as a coupe or convertible and with a V8 or hybrid powertrain. However, the king of the class is the iconic Porsche 911. It sports a sky-high price tag, but if you can afford it, make sure it's on your short list. For a full rundown of the 8 Series, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.