2024 BMW 8 Series

The BMW 8 Series coupe first debuted in 1990 and ran until 1999. Some 20 years later, it was revived with a second generation, replacing the sleek 6 Series as BMW's largest coupe, supported by the smaller 4 Series and 2 Series. As with its predecessor and the 6 Series, this 8 Series isn't an all-out sports car. Rather, it's a touring coupe or convertible with an abundance of performance. That means it's easy to live with, yet it's exciting enough for enthusiastic drivers.

The 2024 BMW 8 Series can go toe-to-toe with the best sport touring cars out there, as pointed out in our Expert Rating below. That includes the iconic Porsche 911 that is always evolving and offers an extraordinarily deep roster of models. New this year is the Mercedes-Benz CLE, which replaces the C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles. While the CLE is not as sporty as the 8 Series or the Porsche, favoring luxury and refinement over performance, future Mercedes-AMG models should be competitive. Further off to the luxury side is the shapely Lexus LC 500.

As a touring coupe or convertible, the BMW 8 Series is an excellent road trip vehicle for two sophisticated travelers. The ride quality is smooth yet provides the driver with a feeling of connectedness to the car and road. The well-shaped seats and quiet cabin further reduce long-distance fatigue. At the same time, the 8 Series is an entertaining companion on a curvy mountain road thanks to the adaptive suspension that can be firmed up to further sharpen handling. Power is more than adequate with the base 840i, but those with an appetite for performance would do well to look into the V8-powered M850i or the top-performing M8, which is reviewed separately.