2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

In the world of four-door coupes, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe rules the roost. This elegantly styled machine competes with the likes of the Porsche Panamera and offers all the bells and whistles a circa $100k luxury machine should. Powering the 8 Series Gran Coupe is your choice of turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six or twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, the latter producing 523 horsepower. In a segment obsessed with all-wheel-drive, the 8 Series GC provides an alternative: rear-wheel-drive can be had on the base six-cylinder, with all-wheel-drive an option, becoming standard on the M850i. Either way, an eight-speed automatic gearbox is the transmission of choice. Lithe handling dynamics combine with four-door practicality, while adaptive dampers and numerous drive modes give the 8 GC the ability to turn from refined cruiser into back-road bomber. It may lose out on rear passenger space and luxury compared to the BMW 7 Series, but if you want 7 Series-opulence with M4-levels of driving experience, this may just be the best four-door coupe on the market right now.

Looking at images of the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe casts it in a new light every time we see it, as if it gets better looking with each glance. It's a remarkably handsome four-door in any of the 11 available paint colors. The 840i features 19-inch double-spoke orbit grey light-alloy wheels, blacked-out Shadowline exterior trim, the M Sport aerodynamic kit, Icon LED headlights incorporating Laserlight technology and auto high beams, and a power trunk lid. The M850i xDrive gets 20-inch V-spoke Cerium Grey alloy wheels. Exterior options include an M carbon roof, as well as the M Carbon exterior package, which includes M Carbon mirror caps, and single-piece carbon finishers around the tailpipes.

The Gran Coupe is a sizable car, measuring in with a total length of 200.2 inches for the 840i and 840i xDrive, while the M850i xDrive measures a slightly longer 200.3 inches. Width is 76.1 inches, and total height is 55.2 inches for the lower-tier models, while the M850i xDrive measures 55.4 inches tall. Curb weight for the base model is 4,262 pounds, the xDrive version weighs 4,381 lbs, and finally, the M850i xDrive weighs a hefty 4,758 lbs.

There are two engine choices on offer for 2022, and a test drive will quickly highlight the performance differences between the two. In the base model, BMW offers a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which produces 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. This setup allows for a 0 to 60 sprint time of 4.9 seconds in RWD guise, or 4.6 seconds in xDrive configurations, and feels more than quick enough for both city driving and highway cruising. Despite being down on power, we love its smooth delivery thereof. If you're after more power, the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 in the M850i xDrive will do. This setup delivers 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque and destroys the tarmac with a push of the throttle. In this spec, the 8 Series Gran Coupe will sprint to sixty in only 3.7 seconds. Top speed for all models is 130 mph, or 155 mph for cars with an increased limiter and summer performance tires. The 840i sends power to the rear or all four wheels via an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shift modes. The M850i is only available in AWD.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe does what it says on the label, and then some. This car is an adept cruiser thanks to standard adaptive dampers, which can alter the ride comfort and sportiness thanks to your choice of Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport modes. With Eco Pro mode engaged, the Gran Coupe is a laid back road missile that gobbles up the miles in serene comfort. If you want a mode dynamic driving experience, Sport mode tightens things up, but we found that the overly assisted steering took away from the overall feel of the car and made it disconnected from the driver. Be that as it may, the 8 Series Gran Coupe hides its weight in the corners and can tuck its nose into it with surprising ease. The standard M Sport brakes add an extra level of confidence and the adaptive M suspension in the M850i xDrive makes the Gran Coupe feel even more capable in the corners.

You'd think that such a large car, offering such impressive performance figures, would offer rather disappointing gas mileage figures, but driving the 3.0-liter derivative with a light foot will result in remarkable numbers for a vehicle in this class. The base model 840i claims best figures of 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined. The xDrive version sees those numbers drop to 20/27/23 mpg. The more powerful M850i xDrive might be a powerhouse, but it will still manage a semi-respectable number of 17/24/19 mpg. With a fuel tank capacity of 18 gallons, the 8 Series Gran Coupe will manage a maximum range of up to 450 miles in the 840i.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe seats five occupants, but those in the middle rear seat won't exactly be comfortable, as the full-length center console eats up any available legroom, despite the presence of a third seatbelt in the middle. The driving position is comfortable, and forward visibility is good, but gets difficult past the B pillar. Compared to the two-door version, the Gran Coupe offers good interior space, especially in terms of rear legroom, but the sloping roof means that backseat passengers face tight dimensions of only 37 inches for headroom. Legroom in the front is exceptionally spacious, and in testing, we found the front seats excellent for long-distance cruising. Despite how much comfort is prioritized, the seats also provide excellent levels of support when throwing the car into a corner.

Fitting two extra doors adds to the space offered inside the Gran Coupe and that translates into more trunk and cargo space. The standard two-door coupe offers 10 cubic feet for cargo, and the Gran Coupe ups that to 15.5 cubic feet. That's enough space to fit whatever you need for a good weekend away.

Small items can be stored in decently sized door pockets, a glovebox, and a storage bin in the center armrest. Cell phones and keys can be kept in the center dashboard nook, and there are two cupholders up front. In the rear, passengers get a center console for added storage, while a fold-down armrest adds a couple of cup holders.

As you can imagine, a car of this caliber comes packed with impressive features. These include a Wi-Fi hotspot, full-color head-up display, remote engine start, 16-way multi-function power front sport seats with power width adjustment, driver and front passenger seat memory, and Merino leather upholstery. A panoramic moonroof, power rear sunshade, a power trunk, and comfort keyless access are also included, as is four-zone automatic climate control, soft-close automatic doors, and ambient interior lighting. The front seats, armrest, and steering wheel are heated. Driver assistance features include frontal collision warning, automatic city collision mitigation, and braking with daytime pedestrian detection. The M850i gets ventilation for the front seats. Optional features include a surround-view camera system and lane departure warning as part of the $1,700 Driving Assistance Professional Package, as well as individual options such as an Alcantara headliner in anthracite or upholstery color.

The dashboard of the 8 Series Gran Coupe is dominated by a 10.25-inch central infotainment display, as well as a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display. The iDrive infotainment system is controlled by voice, touchscreen, and iDrive touchpad controller, and we found it to be rather intuitive and easy to use. Infotainment features include SiriusXM satellite radio with a one-year all-access subscription, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. Sound is channeled through a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system with a 464-watt amplifier. If you want some serious sound, BMW offers a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system at a cost of $3,400, which includes 16 speakers and 1,400 watts of power.

In terms of reliability, the 2022 Grand Series performs well and has not been recalled yet at the time of writing. The 2021 model, however, has been recalled three times - for a malfunctioning backup camera, a possible loss of brake assist or ABS, and a misassembled battery connection. J.D. Power gave the 2021 8 Series range a reliability score of 85 out of 100; there is no 2022 score yet. BMW in the USA covers the 2022 8 Series Gran Coupe with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, with a drivetrain warranty for the same period. You also get a three-year/36,000-mile maintenance plan and four years of roadside assistance.

You'll seldom find cars in this price bracket being the subject of reviews and crash tests by US authorities, but that being said, the 8 Series Gran Coupe should, in theory, offer an excellent safety rating when compared to competitors such as the Porsche Panamera.

Standard safety gear includes front side-impact airbags, dual front airbags, and curtain airbags, amongst others. You also get BMW's Active Protection System, which includes driver fatigue warning and focus alert. The adaptive LED headlights feature Laserlight technology and you also get an anti-theft alarm system. Driver assistance features include frontal collision warning, automatic city collision mitigation, and braking with pedestrian detection. Optional safety systems include active driving assistance, active cruise control, a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning, active blind-spot detection, and park assist with active distance control.

After our review of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, it's not difficult to see why it is one of our favorite four-door coupes. The exterior manages to seamlessly blend four doors into a coupe body style that looks as handsome as it is practical. We think it's one of the best looking in its class, especially now that the M Sport exterior treatment is standard on all models. The interior of the Gran Coupe is beautifully crafted with fine materials, and the cabin boasts a well thought out layout that is as good to look at as it is to use. It should be mentioned that the 8 Series Gran Coupe is packed with modern tech that will see it stay relevant for quite some time. The base model offers an almost perfect balance of power and refinement, and most will be happy with the potency on offer from the turbocharged inline-six. The M850i xDrive, on the other hand, is an incredible high-performance grand tourer that offers most of what the M8 has, but does it in a more elegant fashion. The four-door shape offers good space and practicality, and the overall package is just too hard to ignore.

The price of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe varies depending on how much power and how many features you're after. With an MSRP of $85,000 excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $995, you're actually looking at decent value at this base price, considering the M Sport exterior package and Merino leather with improved seats now all come standard at no extra cost. The Porsche Panamera, for instance, starts at $87,200. The 840i xDrive will cost you $87,900, and the top of the range M850i xDrive goes for $99,900.

With three options to go for, BMW offers some choice when it comes to its 8 Series Gran Coupe. Flavors range from impressive to wild, so whichever way you go, you know you're going to get more than enough performance. If performance were your only concern, then, of course, we recommend going with the 523-hp M850i xDrive, which offers supercar levels of fun, but at a dear price. If the price is a factor, then either the 840i or 840i xDrive are perfect alternatives. Both offer an excellent balance of performance and luxury. The 335-hp 3.0-liter turbo engine has enough grunt for most, and the 2022 models now have almost the same exterior and interior features previously found in the top of the range M850i xDrive. In our experience, the 840i xDrive is more than enough for most buyers, with AWD adding an extra layer of safety in inclement weather and enough pace and power to satiate most buyers.

The BMW 7 Series is the brand's flagship luxury model and represents the pinnacle of BMW's engineering prowess. Powering the 7 Series is a range of six, eight, and twelve-cylinder engines, all of which offer strong performance. The 7 Series shares its 3.0-liter and 4.4-liter engines with the 8 GC, but its 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 is unique to the range and develops 600 hp and 627 lb-ft. In terms of fuel consumption, the 7 Series will manage best figures of 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined, which is just shy of the 8 Series' best. Where the 7 Series truly shines is in the way it carries its occupants in supreme comfort; it feels more refined on the road, and wraps passengers in luxury, offering a plush experience for those who prefer being chauffeured about. The interior of the 7 Series is opulent and is also filled with more tech than you can blink at and provides impressive space in the back, with eight inches of extra rear legroom and two inches more headroom for a lounge-like experience. This truly sets it apart from the 8 Series Gran Coupe, which is aimed more at the driver. Trunk space is also significantly more in the 7 Series, at 18.2 cubic feet. It might not look as svelte, but the 7 Series is in a different class for a reason. Give us the 7 for ultimate luxury - but give us the chauffeur that should come with it, too.

Porsche hit the nail on the head when they first released the Panamera, but in recent years, the competition has caught up. This German four-door performance coupe is driven by a turbocharged V6 producing 325 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque in base form, growing to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 473 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque in the GTS, and finally a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 620 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque in Turbo S guise. In base form, it will sprint to sixty in 5.3 seconds and end up with a top speed of 168 mph, while the Bimmer manages the sprint in 4.9 seconds. With standard adaptive dampers, the Panamera offers a beautifully cushioned ride but can be set to deliver a tighter, more focused driving experience, too. The interior is plush and just as luxurious, but can't match the BMW's level of standard features. The Panamera offers good interior space but offers less cargo space in the back. The Porsche offers a good deal, but in this comparison, the BMW does everything slightly better and for less money.