2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Review: Grand Luxury, Grand Speed

The 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a natural evolution of the 8 Series Coupe and adds a lot of practicality without sacrificing the smooth and sleek styling of this big German grand tourer. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe's competitors come in the form of the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, and the Mercedes-AMG GT four-door coupe, all highly capable grand tourers that bring both luxury and big brand image to the table. The 2023 Gran Coupe benefits from a slight refresh for 2023 that will help keep it at the front of the pack. With up to 523 horsepower from the M850i xDrive's twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, this Bimmer will have no problem keeping up with traffic. There's also an 840i with both rear- or all-wheel drive. Generally, this car does canyon carving just as good as it does grand touring, although the steering feels a bit disconnected. In this BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe review, we find out precisely what makes it one of the best four-door coupes on the market right now.

What's the Price of the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe?

The price of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe starts at $87,400 for the base 840i. This is the lowest price and excludes tax, registration, and a handling fee of $995. Adding AWD brings the price of the 840i xDrive up to $90,300. The top-of-the-range M850i xDrive will cost you an MSRP of $102,400 but can surpass $122k depending on how many extras you want and what options packages have been added. By way of comparison, the most affordable Porsche Panamera starts at $92,400, but to get to M850i xDrive levels of performance, you'll have to fork out $141,400 for the Panamera GTS Sport Turismo.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Those interested in buying a BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe will most likely have had some sort of experience with BMW cars and will naturally expect a car that handles well and involves the driver. They will also understand that the 8 Series GC isn't an all-out sports car but a full-blown grand tourer. The good news is that BMW has managed to cater to both. Its standard dynamic dampers allows the 8 Series GC to float over rough and unruly back roads and feel rock solid while bombing down the highway. In Eco Pro mode, this big Bimmer is a top-class grand tourer, and Sport mode stiffens things up slightly and wakes up the throttle response too.

In full-blown sports mode, the 8 Series GC becomes a responsive and taught driver's machine and AWD models offer roller-coaster levels of enjoyment in the bends thanks to plentiful grip and powerful engine options. We did find that the steering can feel overly assisted, which takes away from the overall driver engagement, but at the end of the day, this BMW is made for fast but laid-back cruising and not for chasing Porsche Caymans up mountain passes.

Verdict: Is the 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe A Good car?

The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is one of the best German grand tourers around in the USA, and it continues to deliver excellent value for money compared to competitors such as the Porsche Panamera. This Bimmer is offered in brutal M850i xDrive form, which equates to 523 horsepower from its 4.4-liter V8 engine. Performance is massive: 0-60 in only 3.7 seconds, and enough torque to turn your insides out. The exterior of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe gets a mild refresh for the 2023 model year but still remains rather restrained and sleek, just the way we like it. The interior is spacious and oh so luxurious, and the Gran Coupe body styling adds a significant amount of trunk space. On the road, these cars are a pleasure to drive, even in base spec, and one is never left wanting for power. On the downside, it's not as engaging as BMWs of old and rear headroom is a bit of an issue for taller passengers. Despite this, BMW has once again proven why the 8 Series Gran Coupe is one of the best Grand Tourers out there.

What 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Model Should I Buy?

At this level of motoring, we'd want a bit more than 335 hp, which is why we'd go for the top-end M850i xDrive. Not only is this car a pleasure to cruise with on the open road, but it can also surprise through the corners and will launch off the line like lightning. The exterior specifications of the M850i xDrive aren't that different from the standard 840i, but we appreciate its sleeper looks. Under the skin, this M car features uprated suspension, massive performance brakes, and an M Sport differential. The interior also features ventilated front seats. If we were buying, we'd add the Driving Assistance Professional Package and the Cooling and High-Performance tire package for a total cost of $106,050, excluding destination.