It all started with the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Back in 2004, Mercedes product planners came up with a brilliant and yet simple idea: turn the E-Class sedan into a four-door coupe with sexier styling. It didn't take all that long for Audi and BMW to copy that idea, churning out the A7 and 6 Series Gran Coupe, respectively. But here's the thing about all three: they cost more than their sedan counterparts. Question is, are they worth it? When it comes to the 6 Series Gran Coupe, we'd say yeah.

We recently spent some time with the 2017 640i Gran Coupe and despite its $79,800 base price, we found very little we didn't like. Power comes courtesy of the familiar 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent directly to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Our car also came equipped with the $5,300 M Sport Edition package, which added soft-close automatic doors, power rear sunshade, quad-zone automatic climate control, and an upgraded Harmon Kardon surround sound system. With its Black Sapphire Metallic exterior paint and Black Dakota leather interior, this thing unquestionably looks stealth-like yet elegant. Yes, it's literally nothing more than a fancier and more expensive 5 Series, but BMW isn't having any trouble selling the 6 Gran Coupe. Heck, our tester had a final sticker price of $87,785. We even saw prospective customers checking it out as we headed home, wishing we were the ones buying it. Special thanks to Niello BMW-Sacramento for letting us film the car.