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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Base Price | $129,220–$171,506 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 BMW M8 at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this coupe. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.5/10, while Value at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.1/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 9.5/10. The BMW M8 delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.8/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $129,220–$171,506, 15 MPG, seating 4, the BMW M8 sits in the luxury tier of the coupe market. The value score of 5.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 BMW M8 is a solid, well-rounded coupe that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is reliability and value — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 BMW M8 ranks #60 of 110 coupes in the Carivo database — better than 46% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $129,220 starting price is about 173% above the segment's median of $47,314.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Coupe ranking →
Across the M8 model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $146,260 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $146,260 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $142,000 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $137,740 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $133,480 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $129,220 | |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $124,960 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 19/02/2021 · 21V096000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic 10/02/2021 · 21V062000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 BMW M8's reliability 6.1/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #60 of 110 coupes in our database (better than 46% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 BMW M8 starts at $129,220 and ranges up to $171,506 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other coupes at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
