2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

　　

2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　, rating written byAlex NishimotoDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, 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.

　　The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a sedan that occupies the niche between the midsize 5 Series and full-size 7 Series, but it's more than just another case of "same sausage, different length." For starters, the 8 Series Gran Coupe features a coupe-like design inspired by the two-door 8 Series, and with that comes a rear hatch instead of a trunk. Also like the two-door 8 Series, the Gran Coupe is positioned as a sportier option within the lineup, and as such it features a unique blend of comfort and performance that places a bit more emphasis on the latter.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe 840i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$188/mo  for 8 Series Gran Coupe 840i

　　8 Series Gran Coupe 840i

　　840i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $85,000 MSRP840i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $87,900 MSRPM850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $99,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Even in base form, the Gran Coupe is quick and agile for a car its size. But upgrade to the V8-powered M850i xDrive or the full-bore M8 (reviewed separately), and you have one of the most potent four-doors on the market. For 2022, all 8 Series Gran Coupe models receive the M Sport package and upgraded leather upholstery as standard. However, due to the global supply chain shortage, some models are being sold without touchscreen functionality. To make up for that missing feature, BMW is issuing a $500 credit.

　　The 8 Series Gran Coupe competes with other sloped-roofline luxury sedans, including the Porsche Panamera, Audi S7 and Mercedes-AMG GT. Find out how it compares by reading our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　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 zzdcar 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

8.0/10

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below