2018 BMW 7 Series Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMaxWill Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.
What’s new
A plug-in hybrid model called the 740e xDrive iPerformance has been added along with a high-performance, V12 model called the M760i xDrive. There are no significant changes to the rest of the lineup.
Vehicle overview
The Mercedes Benz S-Class is unquestionably an automotive institution in its own right, and the Audi A8 has a full redesign on the way, but buyers in this segment owe it to themselves to check out the BMW 7 Series. In our time with the latest 7 Series, it has impressed us with its quiet and comfortable cabin, high-quality materials, potent acceleration (yes, even the plug-in hybrid model), excellent driving dynamics, extensive technology options, and, of course, a spacious rear seat.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota$192/mo for 7 Series 740i
7 Series 740i
740i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $83,100 MSRP740i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $86,100 MSRP740e xDrive iPerformance 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $90,700 MSRP750i 4dr Sedan (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $96,400 MSRP750i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $99,400 MSRPM760i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (6.6L 12cyl Turbo 8A) - $156,700 MSRP
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Large Car
With the plug-in hybrid 740e xDrive iPerformance and the turbocharged V12-powered M760i xDrive both on sale this year, the 7 Series has a fully fleshed-out line of powertrains. The more mainstream turbocharged six- and eight-cylinder models are still compelling choices, and both are available with AWD.
The base 7 Series comes with a lot of great content, but many of the most appealing options are bundled into pricey packages that can quickly drive up the cost of the car. A few choices are a bit confounding, such as making Apple CarPlay integration a $300 extra. This isn't anything new for BMW, so don't expect it to change anytime soon.
Notably, we picked the 2018 BMW 740e xDrive as one of zzdcar' Best Hybrid Cars for this year.
zzdcar' Expert Rating
The 2018 BMW 7 Series offers luxury sedan buyers a wide range of performance, features and options. Whether you're looking for a powerful sedan with an immense turbocharged V12 or a plug-in hybrid packed with technology, the BMW 7 Series offers all that and more.
Driving
In spite of its size, the 7 Series is a very competent performer. Even the plug-in hybrid 740e has considerable power, and transmission response from the eight-speed automatic is fantastic. The biggest drawback is a lack of road feel.
Comfort
The 7 Series boasts an impressively smooth ride and exceptionally quiet interior, as well as a number of options for personalizing the climate for each passenger, and standard seats that are comfortable and highly adjustable.
Interior
Build quality is top-notch and refined, with high-quality materials throughout. There's incredible interior space, and the extra-long doors make it easy to get in and out of this big sedan. Controls are easy to locate and use, and the iDrive technology interface continues to improve.
Ease of use
There's a generous trunk and sufficient small-item storage, but neither is exceptional. The 7 Series certainly isn't a class leader in this area, especially with the 740e, whose battery pack impinges on the trunk.
Technology
The 7 Series offers an impressive array of technology, especially once you dip into the options menu. There's plenty of connectivity, although lack of Android Auto is a bit disappointing. There are numerous optional driver aids and they work well.
Which 7 Series does zzdcar recommend?
The buttery smooth turbocharged eight-cylinder in the 750i strikes the right balance of power, appeal and cost. The Autobahn package's predictive suspension adjustment makes the most of the 7 Series' air suspension, and the Driver Assistance Plus package adds adaptive cruise control, which is a must for any commute or long haul. Unless we also found the budget for a chauffeur, we'd skip the Rear Executive Lounge Seating because it removes some features from the front seats.
2018 BMW 7 Series models
The 2018 BMW 7 Series is available with four different engines, all of which make use of an eight-speed automatic transmission. Depending on your engine choice, all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive come standard. All-wheel drive is also optional on trims that come standard with rear-wheel drive.
When the 7 Series was redesigned in 2016, the standard wheelbase option was removed, so all 7 Series are now long wheelbase. That means extra rear legroom is standard. Thanks to standard leather upholstery and wood trim, even the base 7 Series is a luxurious people mover.
The base 740i Sedan comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated to produce 320 hp. Stepping up to the 750i adds a handful of additional standard features and upgrades the engine to a 445-hp turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. Both can be had with either AWD or RWD.
The 740e xDrive iPerformance plug-in hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to produce a combined 322 horsepower. At the top of the 7 Series range is the flagship M760i xDrive, which is powered by a massive 6.6-liter turbocharged V12 that produces 601 hp. Both the plug-in hybrid and the V12 are only available with AWD.
Standard equipment on the 740i Sedan includes adaptive air suspension with driver-selectable modes, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, automatic windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a power trunklid, and power-closing doors. The 740i comes with other luxuries such as 14-way power-adjustable leather seats with heating, wood trim, four-zone climate control, a panoramic moonroof and auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Standard technology features include a 10.2-inch infotainment screen with navigation and BMW's iDrive, a touchpad controller with gesture control, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a wireless Qi charging station, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a number of Internet-connected features that work online or with special BMW apps.
Several packages are available for the 7 Series. The Autobahn package adds variable-ratio steering and a system that anticipates road conditions and adjusts the car's dampers. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. A Parking Assistance package is available with a 360-degree camera view and active parking assistant.
The Driving Assistance Package includes a head-up display and a number of active safety features such as blind-spot information and forward collision detection with automatic braking. Upgrading to the Driving Assistance Plus package adds those features as well as some semi-autonomous technology including adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping with collision avoidance.
There are also packages that add even more luxury for both the front seats and rear passengers. The Executive package adds 20-way power-adjustable front seats with cooling and massage, as well as rear window shades and ceramic controls dials. The Luxury Rear Seating package adds heated, ventilated and massaging rear seats as well as and a 7-inch tablet to control seat and climate functions that can be removed from a dock in the center armrest. For true rear-seat luxury, the Rear Executive Lounge Seating package adds a rear-seat entertainment system and reclining rear seats with extendable footrests. This package does limit the luxury options available for those in the front of the car.
Additional paint and leather colors, as well as extra trim options and extended leather and wood coverage, can be had with either the Interior Design package or the more extensive BMW Individual Composition package. Finally, the M Sport package adds a sport exhaust, unique wheels, and exterior and interior design elements.
There are also a number of stand-alone options including an upgraded sound system, upgraded brakes, night vision, remote control parking, LED lighting for the moonroof, and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The 740e iPerformance has the same standard options as the 740i, although it comes with unique interior accents. Upgrading to the 750i gives you the bigger engine, as well as a few extra standard luxuries, like the 20-way power-adjustable seats. The M760i xDrive, meanwhile, gets both added luxuries and sports-oriented features, as well as unique colors and design elements, while losing access to some comfort-oriented options.
2018 7 Series Highlights
Type: SedanPlug-in HybridM760i xDriveSedanTrim: 740i740i xDrive740e xDrive iPerformance750i750i xDriveM760i xDrive740i
Base MSRP | $83,100 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $192/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.2 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
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