2021 BMW 7 Series Review

　　

2021 BMW 7 Series Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　After undergoing a significant update in 2020 that included tweaked exterior styling, a refreshed engine lineup and more in-car tech, the BMW 7 Series continues into 2021 essentially unchanged. We're fine with that, as last year's updates helped the 7 Series maintain its second-place zzdcar ranking among large luxury sedans. The 7 Series is loaded with all the latest tech BMW has to offer and is impressively spacious and comfortable.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$188/mo  for 7 Series 740i

　　7 Series 740i

　　740i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $86,800 MSRP740i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $89,800 MSRP745e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $95,900 MSRP750i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $103,000 MSRPM760i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (6.6L 12cyl Turbo 8A) - $157,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Of course, there are alternatives. There's the Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Porsche Panamera from Germany as well as the Lexus LS 500 and Genesis G90 from Japan and South Korea, respectively. Each one represents the best these automakers have to offer, from the latest driver aids and in-car tech to powerful yet fuel-efficient engines. We think the sixth-generation 7 Series is just about the best around and well worth consideration if you're in the market for a big, comfortable and tech-laden sedan.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the 7 Series drive? There's an astonishing amount of power and acceleration here. Right when you think you're really hauling, the 750i has another gear that vaults it into triple digits with ease. This car is built for the autobahn after all. It's a shame it'll only ever use a fraction of its power on American highways. The big sedan brakes with similar power and consistency, arrow-straight and free of drama during panic-stop tests.

　　Gear changes are seamless, and the steering is nicely weighted at highway speeds and properly assisted in parking lots. Handling is a mixed bag. It's laser-quick to turn into a corner, but the loads of body roll amazingly never seem to affect the car's stability. It feels floppy but holds its line.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 7 Series? It's a big car with a big cabin that's nearly impervious to any sound or feeling that would indicate there's a world outside the windows. "Bank vault-quiet" is an overused descriptor, but from one of the cars that coined that cliche, it's true here. You'd need to drive over an open manhole to feel something resembling a sharp impact. The adaptive suspension possesses a nearly impeccable ability to absorb and separate the regular road rash of daily life from the passengers.

　　The seats are exceptionally comfortable, with loads of adjustability and quick heating and cooling, although our rear passengers weren't as impressed with the massage function. This experience is world-class luxury cruising all day.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The wide door openings, low side sills and massive rear legroom make entering and exiting the 7 Series as easy as moving from the living room sofa. A broad range of seat adjustments and a power-telescoping steering wheel help dial in a comfortable driving position that allows a commanding forward view. The bulky rear pillars restrict the view out the back, although there's enough side glass to inform safe lane changes. The excellent backup camera also takes the edge off.

　　The 7 Series is listed as a five-passenger sedan, but its middle seat isn't really suited to adults. It's useful in a pinch but don't count on it, especially for an adult. Control buttons, switches and knobs are still among the best and most intuitive in the business.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? This new 7 Series received subtle upgrades from the former model, but its tech and driver assistance features represent its largest leap. The latest voice assistant, summoned by a "Hey, BMW" wake-up phrase, can set navigation points and control cabin temps in a conversational style. And the new gauge cluster boasts sharp graphics and customizable data screens, such as inset navigation display, freeing up the center console display for other duties. The optional Bowers & Wilkins system is exceptional and probably the most affordable way to own a Bowers & Wilkins system.

　　The semi-automated driving features are a boon for commuters, although lane keeping assist makes pretty aggressive steering corrections even when you are paying attention.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? With 18.2 cubic feet of trunk space, the 750i holds its own with its Mercedes S-Class rival and ranks a few cubes higher than its Audi and Lexus competitors. But the storage space is more deep than wide, the side panels intrude and the floor isn't flat. You'll find it's better suited to stowing items lengthwise. Still, the opening is wide, so you won't have much trouble getting luggage into the trunk.

　　There's plenty of room inside the cabin for personal items, although your drinks will be limited to a pair of cupholders front and rear. Child seat attachments aren't the easiest to access. They're hidden behind zippered flaps, and you'll need to fish your child seat anchors around to locate the attachment points.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Rated by the EPA at 20 mpg combined, our test car came in at 18.9 mpg in the course of around 750 miles of driving. It did a little better on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation loop, returning 19.1 mpg. Dipping into the car's prodigious power will deliver fuel economy not far above single digits.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the 7 Series a good value? At just a hair more than $126,000 as tested, calling the 750i a poor man's Rolls-Royce is a bit ironic. But it's not a stretch either. It has astonishing power, excellent build quality, exceptional big-car cruising comfort, and a corporate lineage with Rolls-Royce (Rolls is part of the BMW Group) that makes this statement not without some accuracy.

　　This new 7 Series is maybe one of the best values around since it straddles the line between luxe and uber-luxe comfort and convenience. The warranty coverage is fairly standard, but the ownership experience is commensurate with the price tag, with BMW offering 24-hour roadside assistance for four years with unlimited mileage.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　In the past decade, the 7 Series has increasingly moved away from its roots as a big performance sedan to something more like an executive cruise missile. That's fine with us since there are plenty of smaller sedans that pack a satisfying blend of performance and luxury (BMW's own 5 Series, for example). So while the 7 Series lacks razor-sharp handling and firm body control, it's still a stunningly fun car to drive simply by dipping into its gas pedal on a wide-open road.

　　Its styling — that larger kidney grille design is downright comical — is a tad too bold and aggressive for our tastes, but we're sure many will like it. There's no doubt that it will not be mistaken for anything other than a BMW.

　　

Which 7 Series does zzdcar recommend?

The 2021 7 Series is available in a variety of trims and configurations. While the base 740i and its turbocharged inline-six offer good performance and lots of features, we think it's worth stepping up to the V8-powered 750i xDrive for the additional performance and standard all-wheel drive.

　　

2021 BMW 7 Series models

The 2021 BMW 7 Series is available in five trim levels: 740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive, 745e xDrive and M760i xDrive. The major difference between the trims comes down to the powertrain, though some features and options further separate the trims.

　　740i and 740i xDrive

　　The base 740i is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine (335 hp, 331 lb-ft) and sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 740i xDrive is the same but with all-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights for both models include:

　　Adaptive air suspension LED headlights 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system Digital instrument cluster 10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation Apple CarPlay smartphone integration (late availability for Android Auto) Heated front seats, armrests and steering wheel 16-way power-adjustable front seats Keyless entry and ignition Four-zone automatic climate control Power-sliding panoramic glass roofThe 7 Series also comes with:

　　Parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the 7 Series and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Forward collision mitigation (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)745e xDrive

　　This is the plug-in hybrid 7 Series variant. It pairs a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack for a combined 389 hp. It also improves fuel economy and can do an estimated 16 miles of all-electric driving. Features mirror those on the 740i xDrive, including all-wheel drive, although the 745e xDrive has unique interior accents.

　　750i xDrive

　　The 750i xDrive has a more powerful turbocharged V8 (523 hp, 553 lb-ft). All-wheel drive is standard. It has everything on the 740i plus:

　　Head-up display Premium leather upholsteryM760i xDrive

　　The M760i xDrive is the range-topping model. It's powered by a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 (601 hp, 627 lb-ft). As with other xDrive models, all-wheel drive is standard. The M760i xDrive is loaded with features, including:

　　20-inch wheels with performance tires Faux suede headliner Laminated glass for a quieter interior Massaging, heated and ventilated front seats Power-adjustable heated rear seatsOptional packages

　　The 7 Series is available with a number of option packages that bundle additional features together.

　　Autobahn package

　　Rear-wheel steering for better handling and a tighter turning circle Upgraded adaptive suspension that preemptively adjusts to match road conditionsDriving Assistance Professional package

　　Adaptive cruise control with enhanced highway driving aids Improved lane-keeping assist systemLuxury Rear Seating package

　　Power-adjustable ventilated rear seats Massaging rear seats Rear-mounted tablet for control media and more

　　

2021 7 Series Highlights

Type: SedanPlug-in HybridM760i xDriveSedan

　　Trim: 740i740i xDrive745e xDrive750i xDriveM760i xDrive740i

　　

Base MSRP	$86,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles