2024 BMW 7-Series

$97,000 (est)

740i xDrive

$100,395

750e xDrive

$107,995

760i xDrive

$118,000 (est)

The 740i runs BMW’s sweetly silken inline-six and we expect most buyers will find this version more than suitable, but for those wanting extra horsepower, there’s the 760i xDrive, which comes with a twin-turbo V-8. If you plan to be chauffeured in your new 7-series, we’d recommend both the Executive Lounge package (power-adjustable reclining rear seats with massage, among other luxuries) and the cool 31.3-inch Theater Screen rear-seat entertainment system which can stream content via the car’s on-board Wi-Fi hotspot. An all-electric variant called i7 will be based on the same body shell; we review that model separately.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

A 375-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is standard—models with this engine are designated 740i—and is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system; rear-wheel drive is standard with this setup but all-wheel drive—which BMW calls xDrive—is optional. BMW estimates that the 740i will run to 60 mph in as little as 4.9 seconds. A plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive is available too and is powered by a 483-hp powertrain consisting of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and an electric motor. The top-dog 760i xDrive is powered by a 536-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and comes standard with all-wheel drive; this engine also uses a 48-volt hybrid system, and BMW claims it will rip to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. We were able to sample the 760i xDrive and noted its silky operation as well as powerful acceleration. The 7-series comes standard with an air suspension, and BMW has incorporated a rear-wheel steering system and adaptive dampers into the chassis as well. As a result, the car feels more agile than its size would suggest but remains more focused on comfort than athleticism.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Although the EPA hasn’t weighed in yet, BMW claims the 750e xDrive plug-in hybrid should be able to drive for over 35 miles on electricity before the battery is depleted. We aren’t sure yet how big the battery is or any details on how it can be charged, but when we find out we’ll update this story with those details.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel economy estimates for the 740i are 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, but going with the V-8–powered and all-wheel-drive 760i xDrive drops those numbers to 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. When we get a chance to test the 7-series for ourselves, we’ll take it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route and report its results here. For more information about the 7-series’ fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

As the pinnacle of the BMW lineup, the 7-series brings a cornucopia of luxuries to its occupants. Rich-smelling leathers, stainless steel accents, and fancy glass and wood trim elements give the 7-series’ interior a posh vibe; buyers can even choose a new cashmere upholstery option, should it suit their aesthetic. The deluxe interior now has the technology, style, and opulence to better challenge the Mercedes-Benz S-class. Passenger space is generous in both the front and rear, but the 7-series impresses most when equipped with the Executive Lounge package, which adds power-adjustable reclining rear seats with massage, a wireless smartphone charging pad for the rear seat area, and adjustable neck cushions on the headrests. The trunk is about as large as you’d expect for a full-size luxury car and a rear-seat pass-through offers the ability to haul longer items like skis.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 7-series uses the same dashboard layout as the iX SUV, which has a large digital gauge display mounted under the same glass panel as the infotainment touchscreen. The reconfigurable displays offer crisp resolution and snappy responses. The 7-series comes with BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 infotainment interface as standard, and it’s capable of over-the-air updates so it can be upgraded to new software as the company rolls out changes. A rear-seat entertainment system that BMW calls Theater Screen is optional; it utilizes a huge 31.3-inch display that deploys from the ceiling of the car. Using an onboard 5G cellular data connection, rear-seat riders can stream Netflix or browse the web, interacting with the system via touchscreen displays integrated into the door panels.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

A host of updated driver-assistance features are available, including a hands-free driving mode for use on the highway and an updated parking assistant feature that allows the driver to exit the vehicle and park the car via a smartphone app. For more information about the 7-series’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are expected to include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

A three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan—included on every 7-series—is a perk rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz don’t offer. Both the Volvo S90 and the Genesis G90 match BMW’s complimentary maintenance plan, but the G90 comes with longer warranty terms.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs

Source: www.caranddriver.com