2021 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe

Pros: Crisp handling for a large car; robust power from refined engines; luxurious cabin

Cons: Extended center console blocks legroom for the middle-rear passenger; rear headroom is tight

CG Says: The 2021 BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe now has standard lane-departure warning and satellite radio. The M8 Competition is now an option package instead of a separate mode. BMW’s sleek, style-focused midsize sedan got a name change and a redesign for 2020; what was the 6-Series Gran Coupe is now the 8-Series Gran Coupe. In spite of the “coupe” name, BMW’s Gran Coupes are actually 4-door sedans with flashy styling and low-slung, coupe-like rooflines. The 8-Series Gran Coupe shares its basic platform with the 8-Series 2-door coupe and convertible, which were new for 2019 (see separate report). The 8-Series Gran Coupe is 9.1 inches longer, 1.4 inches wider, and 2.3 inches taller than its 2-door coupe sibling, which benefits rear-seat legroom and headroom. Three powertrains are available. The base 840i has a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder, while the M850i has a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. The high-performance M8 is powered by the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 tuned to produce 600 hp in the base M8, or 617 hp with the Competition Package; BMW says the M8 with Competition Package can accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission; BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive is standard on the V8s and available on the six. The AWD system includes 4-wheel steering for a reduced turning circle and increased stability at high speeds. Available safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and surround-view camera. The BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe costs a lot more than a BMW 5-Series sedan, and it doesn’t really offer more space or practicality—but that’s kind of beside the point. In any of its forms, the Gran Coupe offers the style, panache, and performance of its 8-Series coupe counterparts, with the added benefit of four doors and a usable back seat. It’s an exotic grand touring machine that’s a bit more versatile than the average two-door GT.