Name: BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé (2019) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé
Rating: 57.0

Summary

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé is a luxurious and powerful grand tourer, and the four-door version of the 8 Series Coupé.

The 8 Series Gran Coupé is available with a choice of two petrol engines – a 3.0-litre six-cylinder unit and a 4.4-litre V8. There is also an even-higher-performance version called the M8 Gran Coupé, but that’s not covered here. We have a separate page for the M8 version coming soon, so keep checking back for the latest information.

On sale since the second half of 2019, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé has received a warm welcome from the British motoring media, mostly thanks to its sporty exterior styling that Top Gear says makes it “probably the most handsome car in BMW’s current range.”

Reviewers generally agree that the saloon offers a balanced blend of pacy performance and interior luxury, but that it doesn’t exactly stand out in either area. A common theme is that the Porsche Panamera offers sharper driving dynamics, while the Audi A7 is a more practical and comfort-oriented option in the class.

Motoring Research also takes issue with the Gran Coupé’s “eye-watering prices”, while Carbuyer adds that it is quite expensive to run in the long term too.

As of December 2024, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé holds a New Car Expert Rating of D, with a score of 57%. Media review scores are only average, as are CO₂ emissions, while running costs are very high. We don’t currently have safety or reliability data for the 8 Series family, so check back again soon.

8 Series Gran Coupé highlights

Sporty exterior and luxurious interior
Exciting to drive
Class-leading infotainment
More spacious than 8 Series Coupé

8 Series Gran Coupé lowlights

More expensive than Porsche Panamera
Audi A7 is more practical day-to-day
Thirsty engines
Rear seats are a bit cramped

Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £81,405 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Spring 2022
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: M850i xDrive
Score: 7 / 10
“The M850i does its best to transform the Gran Coupe into a long-legged and relaxing GT car, and mostly succeeds. Although, therein lies the problem: the entry-level 840i does an equally impressive job in this respect for almost £30,000 less.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“All in all, the Gran Coupe – even in its most affordable, rear-wheel-drive 840i guise – feels like a serious effort by BMW to produce a driving experience that is genuinely different from anything else out there at the moment.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 840i sDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“At the end of a long day on rough roads, empty highways and one of the world’s best race circuit, the quintessential impression was that of quantifiably enhanced involvement.”
Read review

Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic 840i
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW has nailed its Gran Coupe models in the past and the same applies with this latest 8 Series version through a superb mix of luxury, refinement and beauty. By adding additional rear seat room to the 8 Series, it opens this flagship model up to more buyers.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has two extra doors and more passenger space than the standard 8 Series but it retains the same performance and character.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“It isn’t often the case, but this four-door Gran Coupe version of the BMW 8 Series might be even better looking than the two-door. It’s certainly every bit as luxurious inside.” (Mat Watson)
Read review

Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe adds more doors to the formula, but adding a bit of key practicality to the range.”
Read review

Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Transforming the BMW 8 Series into a four-door Gran Coupe adds extra space, but still preserves the best bits of the sports car driving experience.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“BMW is aware that while many people would like to drive a beautiful two-door coupe, real life dictates they need a four-seat saloon instead. The 8 Series Gran Coupe is aimed at combining the best of both worlds into a flagship model.”
Read review

Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview (coupé, convertible, Gran Coupé)
Score: 8 / 10
“As a flagship coupe or convertible, the BMW 8 Series ticks many boxes. It’s loaded with technology, features a luxurious cabin and has proper presence on the road. It’s let down by a lack of handling sharpness, cramped rear seats and eye-watering prices.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol automatic 840i sDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“The biggest problem with the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is its price. It’s quite hard to justify unless you really want its dynamic driving experience when there are rivals out there that are more practical, more comfortable, just as luxurious and significantly cheaper.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The 8 Series Gran Coupe is probably the most handsome car in BMW’s current range – not a huge achievement, the crueller reader might argue – and it’s also among the most comfortable in its skin.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of December 2024, the BMW 8 Series has not been tested by Euro NCAP. This is not surprising, given its high price tag and limited production numbers.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the BMW 8 Series has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the 8 Series, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	30 mpg	E	25 – 34 mpg	D – E
Diesel models	42 mpg	D	39 – 43 mpg	C – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	221 g/km	D	192 – 262 g/km	C – D
Diesel models	177 g/km	C	172 – 188 g/km	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	47	D	44 – 49	D – E

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£507	D
Year 2	£1,046	D
Year 3	£1,610	D
Year 4	£1,986	D
Year 5	£2,627	D
Overall	£7,776	D

The BMW 8 Series is an expensive car to live with, according to running cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

CO2 emissions from the diesel models are average, with the petrol models being poor. Fuel economy is also very poor for both engine types.

Unsurprisingly, given its performance, luxury and sophistication, the 8 Series Gran Coupé is expensive to insure and to service.