2021 BMW 8 Series

BMW’s 8 Series Coupe comes in two trims, namely 840i and the 840i xDrive. The 840i xDrive is basically the 840i equipped with BMW’s xDrive AWD system and carries on all the features of the base trim. Both the trims contain a ton of comfort, luxury, and infotainment features. Some exciting features of the 8 Series Coupe include BMW Personal Assistant, BMW Live Cockpit, Digital key, and front Multifunctional sports seats. 

To give the customers more options, BMW offers numerous packages along with the 8 Series that add to the performance like high-performance brakes, sport steering wheel, upgraded sport seats, and an aerodynamic body kit. Apart from this, there aren’t many active driver-assist features on board, but equipping the Driver Assistance Package solves the woes. 

Which trim should you buy?

If we compare the two trims with their price tag, the 840i xDrive is the one that would come out as a great choice for most of the buyers out there. The $2,000 premium justifies the performance offered by the AWD system that gives more control over the tarmac, along with all the options that the more powerful M850i offers, albeit the performance upgrades.

The 2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe surprisingly doesn’t thirst for gas that much as its counterparts. It can provide you with the best output with the least consumption of fuel. In city conditions, it can last for at least 23 miles, whereas on highways, the number increases by 7 miles more. Having a decent fuel tank size that can store up to 18.5 gallons of fuel, the coupe can give you up to 450 miles of combined range, which is exceptional and hard to find in this class.

The fuel economy of the BMW remained unbeaten in this comparison. With a combined range of 25 miles, it gives you the best range possible in every condition. The Jaguar F-Type along with Lexus LC 500 stays below the 8 Series by a huge gap, and the Porsche Carerra only provides 20 miles in a combined cycle. Although the Lexus LC 500 has the biggest fuel tank here, it still cannot beat the 8 Series Coupe in range.

The interior of the 2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe is as beautiful and sleek as its exterior. Its cabin is well-dressed by premium quality soft-to-touch materials. The dashboard is quite a bit tilted towards the driver, making it easy for him/her to go through that center console easily without the need for much focus. The availability of space is very likely to haunt the buyers opting for a coupe, but it has maintained a good amount of space, and it is by far the best in this class. The seats are very supportive and come with a 12-way adjustable driver and front passenger seat that comes with heating, memory setting, and power reclining option. 

The seats, steering wheel, and dashboard are blessed with premium leather material wrapping. The steering wheel also comes with a heating feature, and multiple functional buttons are also mounted on it for better handling. The rear seating of this coupe is again spacious, but the legroom may feel tight for adults, and that is a major drawback. The cargo space of this coupe is the best in its class with almost 14.8 cubic feet of space. To make the interiors better, one can opt for the Merino Leather Extended package that costs around $1,500. Another package namely the Comfort Seating package adds ventilated multi-function seats in the front row, and it costs around $1,050.

The 8 Series here looks the most spacious undoubtedly, and it also can seat 4 passengers in its cabin along with all the other rivals except for F-Type which is a two-seater coupe. The cargo space of the 8 Series Coupe is also the biggest here, which is just followed by F-Type. The LC 500 along with Carrera has a very small cargo space here. Some of the standout interior features are:

• Soft-close doors 
• Power-adjustable and heated front sport seats
• Heated steering wheel and armrests
• Head-up display
• Wireless device charging pad
• Digital gauge cluster
• Ventilated front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

BMW equips the 8 Series Coupe with a 10.25-inch touchscreen that has in-built navigation and is powered by BMW’s iDrive system. The iDrive system helps a ton when it comes to offering a seamless infotainment experience that uses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration while also using Bluetooth for instant connectivity for streaming music or hands-free controls via voice commands. 

The system comes paired with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system that is the go-to choice for people who like exquisite vocal equalization and a rich bass experience. The system also comes equipped with AM/FM/SiriusXM as standard as far as radio is concerned. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• 10.25-inch touchscreen
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Bluetooth 
• Apple Carplay & Android Auto
• Satellite XM radio
• Navigation

The exterior of the 2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe is pretty much attractive, and it has all the characteristics to make any buyer fall for its looks. The steep roofline overall gives it an aggressive sport-oriented design, and the signature style grille enhances the persona of the car.

As standard, it has features like 18.0-inch wheels and a panoramic power sunroof. One can also opt for the M Sport Upgrade package at $4,550 that adds a lot to the exterior part, making it much better than before. By opting for this package, you get features like 19.0-inch wheels, upgraded brake rotors with blue calipers, and shadow line exterior trim. 

The wheelbase of Jaguar & Carrera is very short in comparison to the other two rivals here, which might also justify the small cargo area. The LC 500 is the heaviest in this comparison, followed by BMW which actually helps the cars in carrying all their luxury and also aids in stability as well. When comparing the ground clearance, Porsche stands lowest at 3.9 inches. That being said, some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• Turn signal indicator mirrors
• Power open and close trunk
• 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels
• Dual-Chrome tip exhausts
• LED Headlamps
• 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels

BMW has a wide range of standard as well as advanced safety technology, and it has arguably the most features than any other in its class. Although they removed the night vision and pedestrian detection this year which was not needed, it is still one of the safest cars out there. And looking at the brand’s performance on average, we can say that it will pass the crash tests with flying colors and prove its quality. With the number of standard features and the inclusion of a top-notch crash prevention system, some of the standout safety features are as follows:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning system
• Automatic city collision mitigation braking
• Daytime pedestrian detection
• Lane tracing assist
• Lane-keeping assist
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Blind-spot monitoring system

2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe vs 2021 Lexus LC 500

The 8 Series Coupe is priced very fairly compared to the LC 500 that comes with a V8 engine. It performs better than LC 500 in almost all the classes except a few like the 0-60 MPH completion timing and rear legroom.

But considering its price, the 8 Series Coupe brings in a subtle exterior and a striking color scheme to make it an eye-candy for many.

2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe vs 2021 Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic

The Jaguar F-Type R-Dynamic comes equipped with a V6 engine that accelerates much faster than the 8 Series Coupe, but the BMW completely nails the fuel economy.

The engine might not be the brawniest of all, but it does manage to have a very rapid pace to make the driver happy. The Jaguar has a very striking look, but seeing the BMW’s premiumness, it does look rather boyish. 

2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe vs 2021 Porsche 911 Carerra

The Porsche 911 Carrera nearly touches the $100,000 price bracket, and for that price, it brings a very performance-paced experience in terms of power, acceleration, and driving dynamics.

Apart from these parameters, the 911 Carrera is pretty much an all-out sports car with a decently luxurious interior, giving the Bimmer a clear victory in terms of poshness. 

The 2021 BMW 8 Series Coupe is a perfect image of how the modern 8 Series should be like, carrying on the legacy of the oldie by being the most comfortable one out there. Apart from the comfort, the driving dynamics remain sharp, and the car is very well-settled on the tarmac. The interior is top-notch and reeks of quality, while the styling is sexy. All in all, the 2021 8 Series Coupe is more than a decent option in the segment.