2022 BMW M8 Coupe Review: The Big Bad Wolf

The BMW M8 Coupe is back after a year-long absence and is better than ever before. At first glance, this elegant coupe might not look too different from the run-of-the-mill 8 Series, but every M8 now comes standard in Competition spec, which means you get a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 gas fuel engine that produces 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, a track-tuned chassis, and an all-wheel-drive system that favors the rear wheels. Despite its size, the 2022 M8 Coupe likes to be thrown into corners and treats its occupants to some seriously lavish levels of luxury. Going up against the big Eight are competitors such as the Porsche 911 and the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe, meaning the M8 stacks up against both genuine sports cars and refined GTs in a best of all worlds battle royale.

What's the Price of the 2022 BMW M8 Coupe?

Slap an M badge on the back of any BMW, and the asking price seems to skyrocket. The 2022 BMW M8 Coupe is, along with the M8 Gran Coupe, one of the most expensive vehicles in BMW's M lineup at an MSRP of $130,000. The price of the BMW M8 excludes tax, registration, a gas guzzler tax of $1,000, and a destination and handling fee of $995. The M850i xDrive starts at only $99,900 in the USA, making it an attractive option for those who won't miss all the M-car's go-faster gadgetry.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The engineers and designers behind BMW's M cars know precisely what they're doing; each M car is designed to deliver a specific driving experience. The M4 loves to be thrown around, as does the M3, but the bigger the vehicle, the more balanced things become. The M5 still loves a naughty fling with a race track, but the M8 Coupe is definitely more of a straight-line highway bomber than a track tool. This is totally understandable when considering its curb weight and classification as a grand tourer. The Competition package does add nifty handling tricks such as increased front camber, lightweight forged aluminum wheels, and stiffened engine mounts, but all of these gadgets can't undo the laws of gravity: Throw the M8 Coupe into a tight corner, and it quickly becomes evident that it carries a ton of weight in the front. However, turn-in is sharp, and quick changes in direction are met with eagerness, despite a rather uncommunicative steering system. When cruising, the M8 shows its actual strong suit. The dynamic dampers do a great job of soaking up road imperfections, and long road trips turn into a total pleasure. The brakes on the 2022 M8 Coupe are large and effective, but the electrically-assisted brake booster can take some getting used to.

Verdict: Is the 2022 BMW M8 Coupe A Good car?

As soon as BMW slaps an M badge on any of its cars, people expect the moon and the stars, but that's not how life and vehicles work. Yes, the 2022 M8 Coupe is supercar fast and will blow most cars out of the water in a straight line sprint, but it's not as sharp or nimble as a Porsche 911. The M8 is an exciting combination of a sports car and grand tourer and can't claim to be one or the other. Its weight prevents it from being an engaging track toy, but its talents will also be wasted by simply bombing down the highway. The exterior doesn't shout M car and nor does the interior, but little details make it feel unique enough, and the overall feeling is one of absolute class and refinement. The M8 Coupe is comfortable enough to act as a daily driver and would be the perfect long-range tourer if its range was slightly longer. The M8's strongest competition comes from its own stable: the M850i is just as good at cruising, not much slower, and way more affordable.

What BMW M8 Coupe Model Should I Buy?

If the M850i xDrive doesn't grab your attention, and you're willing to fork out an extra $30k on the M8, then we suggest going all out. We'd get one in Dravit Grey metallic with a carbon fiber interior and black leather seats. As far as options go, we'd get the Driving Assistance Professional package, the M Carbon Exterior package, and to wrap it off, we'd invest in the M Driver's Package for $2,500. The total cost? A cool $143,645, including handling fees and the destination charge. All that being said, you could go for the option-free base model and still emerge with one of the best-equipped coupes on the market.

2022 BMW M8 Coupe Comparisons

2022 BMW M8 Coupe vs BMW M5 Sedan

The BMW M5 has traditionally been the big daddy of the M-car family, but it now shares that honor with the likes of the M8 due to the two sharing a powertrain. The M5 and M8 obviously serve two very different purposes. The M5 is an executive performance sedan with ample space for four people and their cargo; by comparison, the M8 is basically a two-seater grand tourer. Both cars produce the same levels of power and performance, and both share similar interiors and standard features. The biggest difference is practicality: the M5 offers more interior and cargo space. In terms of driving dynamics, the M5 is arguably the better driver's car but is equally as comfortable on the open road. At only $103,700, we'd have the M5 in a heartbeat.

2022 BMW M8 Coupe vs BMW M8 Gran Coupe

These two cars share the same engine, the same base price, and a list of features that is pretty much identical. However, the Gran Coupe's extra pair of doors and greater interior space make it far more comfortable for rear-seat occupants. Surprisingly, though, the Gran Coupe has less trunk space. Besides that, we feel that the Gran Coupe is easily better-looking than the Coupe. Both will get to 60 mph in three seconds dead, and they share features like a Harman Kardon sound system and that 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. However, the M8 Gran Coupe does have a four-zone climate control system as well. With more space and the same phenomenal V8 engine, we'll choose the M8 Gran Coupe.