BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Review 2023
The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a luxurious four-door coupe version of BMW's flagship sports car. Blending modern design with fantastic on-the-road performance, the 8 Series Gran Coupe appeals to those looking for a combination of elegance and sportiness.
Rivals to the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe include the Mercedes CLS, Audi A7 Sportback, and Porsche Panamera.
Our BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe review covers:
- Sporty exterior with flowing lines and a sloping rear end
- Minimalist cabin with superb infotainment system
- 440-litre boot
- Two petrol engines, with the latter being a V8
- Two trims: M Sport and xDrive
Pros:
- Superb infotainment system
- Good on-the-road performance
- Beautiful exterior
Cons:
- Rear headroom is limited
- Boot capacity falls short of rivals
- Quite expensive
If you're after a coupe to stand out from the crowd, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is a car to consider. It's one of the best-looking cars on the market, with its flowing lines and sloping rear end creating a sharp and slick exterior.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe is quite a wide car, 1,932mm to be exact, so interior space is quite generous. Passengers in the front have plenty of room and won't be brushing shoulders with each other; however, those in the rear don't have much headroom because of the sloping roof. There is room for a third rear passenger, but the seat is awkward thanks to the hump in the floor.
Boot space comes in 440 litres, which can be extended to 620 litres with the rear seats folded 40/20/40. It's also a fairly unpractical shape with a high load lip and narrow aperture, meaning it falls short of rivals like the A7 Sportback and Mercedes CLS.
Inside the 8 Series Gran Coupe, you'll find a minimalist and luxurious cabin. All the materials used are of very high quality, and you can tell they've been built to last. There's also leather upholstery throughout the cabin, which gives the 8 Series Gran Coupe that extra touch of class.
The infotainment system found in the 8 Series Gran Coupe is undoubtedly the best in its class. It comes with all the features you'd expect, but what makes it stand out is its easy use. The menus are laid out logically, making it a breeze to use when behind the wheel, either through the touchscreen or the rotary controller on the centre console.
Two trims are available: M Sport and xDrive.
M Sport comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels, four-zone automatic air conditioning, ambient lighting, front electric sports seats, merino leather upholstery, a leather steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, LED lights, cruise control with brake function, and a parking assistant.
xDrive adds to this with an instrument panel in Walknappa leather, M Sport seat belts, Driving Experience Control with Adaptive Mode, Integral Active Steering, an M TwinPower Turbo eight-cylinder petrol engine, and a rear-view camera.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe comes with two petrol engines, the M840i and M850i. The 840i is our pick, coming with a 335hp turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder powertrain available in all or rear-wheel drive. The 850i has a 523hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine available in all-wheel drive.
In terms of performance, both units have a top speed of 155mph. However, the 850i pips the 840i in terms of acceleration, achieving 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds rather than 5.4 seconds.
Both units come paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that's quick and responsive in all situations.
On the road, you won't be disappointed with the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Its steering is light but builds up weight as you up the speed, giving you confidence going into every turn. Although it's not as agile as the standard 8 Series Coupe, it feels very well-balanced on flowing roads and is way more fun to drive than the Audi A7 Sportback.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe's adaptive suspension allows you to alter the suspension given the situation. Comfort mode returns the best ride quality, tackling bumpy roads in a relaxed fashion. However, if you want a more controlled suspension, go for Sport mode, and you'll feel the road thanks to the extra grip.
Prices for the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe start from £78,935.00 OTR* or to lease from £601.98 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to fixed monthly payments and various benefits included in your deal.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
