2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

　　

2023 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 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 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

　　$192/mo  for 8 Series Gran Coupe 840i

　　8 Series Gran Coupe 840i

　　840i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $87,500 MSRP840i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $90,400 MSRPM850i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $102,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　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.

　　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