Think of BMW’s best cars and what comes to mind? Stylish, fun-to-drive sedans that are both luxuriously appointed and a joy to live with. Look to the New Class of the 1960s and 1970s, the E30 3 Series of the 1980s, the E39 5 Series of the late 1990s, and the E46 3 Series of the early 2000s. We aren’t saying you should add the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe to that list of legends, but it certainly possesses some of the traits that endeared those older cars to generations of fans.
The 840i Gran Coupe falls short of the heights set by its iconic predecessors in a few important ways, though. Like almost every BMW model on sale, this swoopy sedan doesn’t communicate with its driver. And while BMW’s tech is far more intuitive than it was 20 years ago, the company has fallen backward over the past several years and is building systems that have become harder to learn.
This is a rational, objective assessment of a car that has, in its previous two generations, sold upwards of 443,000 examples worldwide. Had it only sold about four, we could discount it as an irrelevance. It pains us to say this, but people seem to like this kind of car.
See? We said ‘kind of car’, not ‘this exact car’, which means we’re not being overly vindictive against the X6 for being… this kind of car. Things like the GLE Coupe and Cayenne Coupe and so on and so on. They sell. More than four, too.
We’re excited to introduce the newest member of the BMW family — The BMW 2 Gran Coupé.
It’s
an extraordinary new vehicle that pushes the limits of what a four‑door
compact can achieve. The first‑ever 2 Series Gran Coupé will inspire drivers to journey away from the
mundane. Because that’s what it means to choose unexpected. Say hello.
Not a typical coupé but rather an incredible experience: the first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé introduces a new form of authority with a bold character to the compact class. It is above all the uncompromising, performance-oriented aesthetic that unmistakeably reveals its ambitions. Not elegant but extravagant.
Not conventional but individual. Not ordinary – but extraordinary. In keeping with high-end technologies and perfectly tuned driving dynamics features, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé stands out from the crowd with ease and pursues its very own path.European model shown.
Once upon a time, BMW M and Mercedes-AMG fought their biggest battles with sedans and coupes. But as with any war, new theaters open, and today’s fight is in the crossover space, with M and AMG fielding high-performance versions of nearly every CUV in their respective parent company’s stable.
But while the theater has changed, war… war never changes. The E63 and M5 sedans continue to battle for supremacy as their crossover counterparts, the redesigned Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and BMW X5 M, prepare to enter the fray. Each of these crossovers pack twin-turbocharged, 600-plus-horsepower V8 engines, advanced suspension technologies, and enough tech to keep a fighter jet in the air. Like we said, war never changes.
Welcome back to Fabulous Auto Club, and this post is the largest comparison (and also longest title) in our blog to date! We’re comparing ten different compact luxury sedans which are for family comfort with prices ranging from $35000 to $50000 CAD.
Pricing
Mercedes C-Class – $46100
BMW 3 Series – $49000
Audi A4 – $39800
Genesis G70 – $42000
Infiniti Q50 – $43995
Jaguar XE – $49900
Volvo S60 – $42400
Lexus ES – $45000
Acura TLX – $37490
Alfa Romeo Giulia – $49345
Prices are subject to change.
Styling
The C-Class, 3 Series, TLX, XE, and A4 all look somewhat boring, but a new 3 Series is coming for the 2020 model year. The sportiest is the Genesis G70 because of its position and the side vent that makes it feel like a racing car. The Giulia is very similar, just like what you would expect from an Alfa Romeo. The Q50 looks like a baby Q70 and can appear outdated. The best looking car by far here is the Volvo S60 for only $42400! The Lexus ES literally looks sharp because of its edges, not to mention the oversized grill.
Performance
The performance of compact/midsize sedans range from 240 to 500 horsepower, which is a big range due to the fact that you can upgrade to AMG, Quadrifoglio, F Sport, Polestar and many others. I have to note that the A4 only has 188 horsepower, and that’s just another example of an under-powered Audi. Most of them are powered by an inline-4 with the optional V6.
Interior Comfort
To make sure everyone in your family/group of friends has comfort, luxury sedans are equipped with leather seats (heated and cooled), wood trims, and advanced climate control. The C-Class and G70 specifically stand out by looking in the interior. The Jaguar XE has failed to provide optimal interior quality unlike other rivals in this segment.
The BMW 7 Series is BMW’s full-size luxury sedan starting at $120 300 to $173 600 in Canada, and $96 950 to $141 700 in the USA. It’s actually based on the Rolls-Royce Ghost and comes with an extremely wide range of engines starting from a 2.0L Turbo I-4 to a 6.6L Twin-Turbocharged N74 V12, and even a plug-in hybrid. Fabulous Score: 75%
Configurations
The different versions (in order of price) are 750i xDrive, 745Le Hybrid, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, and the high-performance Alpina B7 Long Wheelbase, with up to 600 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. Each configuration may not upgrade certain interior features, but horsepower and technology (like in the infotainment screens) are certainly improved in the 750Li, which is the long wheelbase model. Fabulous Score: 65%
Interior
The interior of the 7 Series is aesthetically pleasing and luxurious in all models, and is a direct rival to the Mercedes S-Class. Of course, there are large amounts of amenities in the rear seats, including heated, cooled, and massaging seats, fragrances, and entertainment screens for rear passengers. A feature that really sets the interior apart from most other luxury sedans is the Experience Mode, which basically allows the passengers to choose a ‘mood’ in the car that activates many other features such as the climate control and ambient lighting. Fabulous Score: 97%
Exterior Styling
When you think of exterior styling of any BMW, the first thing that comes to mind is the signature kidney grille. It’s probably the most controversial exterior styling feature in the car industry. My opinion is that it looks ugly on the 7 Series, but suits large SUVs like the X5 and X7. Otherwise, the styling is very modern, with sleek and dramatic lines on the sides. Fabulous Score: 80%
Verdict
The average Fabulous Score is 79.25%, which cannot be compared to other cars in the segment yet due to amount of posts. See a video from Doug DeMuro for more information.
Fabulous Auto Club is not affiliated with Doug DeMuro.
