2026 BMW 8 Series

It still makes you go, “Yeah.” Or more like, “Yeeeaaahhh.” The BMW 8 Series has that effect on people. Because even if we didn’t know for sure that beneath the sleek exterior lies awesome engines, precise suspensions, and fine cabin materials, we’d still be completely surprised if that wasn’t the case. The 8 Series oozes prestige and power, while steering clear of the usual large luxury sedan conservatism. Launched for the 2019 model year, the future of this current generation looks uncertain, but we’re grateful BMW has kept it going for this spin around the sun.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of high-horsepower luxury cars, including the BMW 8 Series.

There are no significant changes to the 2026 BMW 8 Series this year.

Although a starting price just above $90K is objectively quite a lot, rivals like the Lexus LC, Mercedes-AMG SL, and the Porsche 911 Carrera all begin higher.

Before buying a new 8 Series large luxury car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values of the 8 Series are below the class average. The Porsche 911 performs well in this respect (as well as many other respects). Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 8 Series lineup begins with a fine engine that could easily be as muscular as most buyers will ever want. It’s a smooth 335-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder unit capable of propelling the 840i from standstill to 60 mph in a wonderfully entertaining 4.7 seconds. The 375-horsepower Mercedes-AMG SL 43 is a mere tenth of a second behind.

Things get faster and more powerful from there. Naturally, the V8s in the rest of the range all deliver breathtaking driving experiences accompanied by thrilling exhaust notes. We cover the high-performance M8 in a separate review.

For a large car of substantial weight, BMW has still managed to make the 8 Series enjoyable to drive. We’ve found it comfortable and civilized at low speeds, yet excitingly responsive to more eager throttle and steering inputs. Extra agility and maneuverability comes courtesy of the optional rear-wheel steering feature. In typical BMW fashion, the brakes feel strong and confident.

Fuel Economy

Neither body styles nor the number of driven wheels appear to have an effect on fuel economy. Every 840i version achieves 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is excellent for this rarefied class. The more powerful versions deliver a still-respectable 19 mpg combined.

To compare, the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 achieves 22 mpg combined, and the most affordable Porsche 911 musters up 20 mpg combined.

Even the most affordable new 8 Series comes with real leather upholstery, and not just for the seats, but also the armrests (which are heated) and covering the dashboard. This is an indication of how plush and well-appointed the 8 Series is in general. Other standard details include a power-adjustable steering column, soft-closing doors, ambient lighting, and navigation with over-the-air updates.

We’ve found that the front seats provide plenty of long-distance comfort. In the regular coupe and the convertible, rear accommodations are not so lavish. But they’re not meant to be — this is an 8 Series, not a 7 Series full-size sedan. However, the 4-door Gran Coupe comes with a tolerable 36.6 inches of rear legroom, about seven inches more than the coupe. We’ve noticed that rear headroom is still a bit tight, though.

No one buys an 8 Series for the trunk space, but there’s room for two sets of golf clubs in the convertible’s caboose, plus a couple of weekend bags either in the trunk and/or on the back seats. The coupe and Gran Coupe have more luggage space, around 15 cubic feet.

The 8 Series is only about a foot shorter than the 7 Series large luxury sedan, so it’s bigger than many sports cars. In our opinion, though, the size and design give the 8 Series an exceptional presence.

More in the tradition of a grand tourer, the 8 Series offers the choice of a regular 2-door coupe, a convertible with a power-operated fabric roof, or a Gran Coupe with four doors which still looks sleeker than a 7 Series. Buyers considering the awesome 612-horsepower Alpina B8 should know that it comes solely as a Gran Coupe.

Live Cockpit Professional
Otherwise known as a digital instrument cluster, it can be configured to the driver’s liking and is standard in every new 8 Series. We appreciate the system’s user-friendliness.

Full-color head-up display
Projecting vital information onto the windshield directly in front of the driver, this feature is often found on options lists, but it’s standard in the 2026 8 Series.

Harman Kardon surround-sound system
Another item typically offered as an option, this 16-speaker/464-watt setup is standard. We think it’s great, although true devotees of timbre and thunder may want to consider the next offering.

Bowers & Wilkins audio
Sending 1,400 watts of audible gloriousness through 16 speakers, this optional B&W surround-sound system resonates with clarity and detail.

Glass shift lever
It’s a bit of cosmetic frivolity, but this option is definitely a departure from the usual.

Alpina B8 Gran Coupe
Once an independent tuning company specializing in BMWs, Alpina is being taken under the company’s metaphorical wing. Its creations are ordered through BMW dealers and come with the same factory warranty. The awesome 612-horsepower Alpina B8 Gran Coupe is a fine example of the tuner’s art.

Six cylinders or eight, what a great decision to ponder. The 840i models use a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine developing a perfectly fine 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. These cars have rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. All-wheel drive (AWD) is known as xDrive in BMW-ville and is optional with this 6-cylinder engine, or standard across the rest of the range.

Beyond this point, we enter a world of excess. The M850i xDrive bolts two turbochargers to a 4.4-liter V8 to achieve 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe takes that engine and boosts it to 612 horses and 590 lb-ft of torque.

All versions of the 2026 8 Series employ 8-speed automatic transmissions.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new-vehicle warranty (including powertrains) lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are typical in the luxury sector, especially among German manufacturers. BMW also includes three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Safety

The 8 Series hasn’t been tested by any independent agencies, but that’s common for such high-end/low-volume cars. BMW’s standard set of advanced safety features includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, post-crash braking, driver fatigue monitoring, plus automatic seat belt tensioning and window closing if an accident is imminent.