What kind of vehicle is the 2023 BMW 8-Series? What does it compare to?
Part luxury car, part sports car, the 2023 BMW 8-Series is available as a slick coupe, convertible, or Gran Coupe sedan. It’s a challenger to the Audi RS7, Porsche 911, Lexus LC, and Mercedes S-Class and AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.
Is the 2023 BMW 8-Series a good car?
Yes, it’s a great car. It has the power, luxury, and styling to justify the high price. The most popular and most practical body style, Gran Coupe, is the basis of our rating of 7.0 out of a possible 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2023 BMW 8-Series?
A bunch of styling updates. The exterior gets a standard illuminated grille, more choices for paint colors and wheel designs, and more aerodynamic side mirrors on M850i models. The cockpit gets an upgraded 12.3-inch center display. Finally, a new limited edition in partnership with artist Jeff Koons will become available later in the model year.
All three body styles have sleek, low-slung looks, but if you want an 8-Series with a usable rear seat, the relatively practical Gran Coupe is it. Until 2023, we said the 8-Series avoided falling into BMW’s trap of styling excesses, though this year’s illuminated grille challenges that notion. Still, the 8-Series is elegant, with a flowing design emphasized by character lines beginning just behind the rear wheels and resolving at the rear wheels. The cabin boasts elegant looks and materials to match, with fine leather, a 10.3-inch touchscreen display, aluminum trim, and the option of a crystal gear shifter.
Every 8-Series configuration brings the power, beginning with the 335-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged-6 in the 840i models, proceeding to the 523-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the M850i models, and finally that same V-8 tuned to 617 hp for the M8 Competition models. All-wheel drive is standard on all but the 840i, and though the 8-speed automatic transmission provides slick shifts, we’d also like a manual option. The 8-Series’ times from zero to 60 mph range from 4.7 to 3.0 seconds.
No 8-Series model offers a spacious cabin, but the Gran Coupe can accommodate four adults. The rear row in the convertible and coupe is best for small kids or packages.
How much does the 2023 BMW 8-Series cost?
The 8-Series coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe are available in 840i, 840i xDrive (all-wheel drive), M850i xDrive, and M8 models. There’s also an Alpina B8 version of the Gran Coupe.
The 840i coupe and Gran Coupe start at about $86,000 and come with Merino leather upholstery, power front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, and 19-inch wheels.
The xDrive all-wheel drive system is a $2,900 option, and the convertible tacks $9,400 to the price.
Standard safety fare is a short list, just adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams and automatic emergency braking. BMW charges extra for features like blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control that should be standard in this price range. An optional traffic-jam assistant system enables limited hands-free travel on highways.
Where is the 2023 BMW 8-Series made?
It’s produced in Germany.
