2024 BMW 7 Series Sedan

　　

2024 BMW 7 Series Review

byJared GallCorrespondent

　　Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at zzdcar and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.

　　, rating written byJared GallSenior Reviews Editor

　　Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.

　　Big, bold and powerful, the BMW 7 Series is an archetypical flagship luxury sedan. For those who consider choice the ultimate luxury, BMW offers an inline-six or V8, both with mild hybrid assistance; a plug-in hybrid six-cylinder; and the electric i7 (which we review separately). Both gas engines are turbocharged and make more than enough power. In 2024, a flagship sedan must be laden with tech, and the 7 Series delivers with available rear-wheel steering and a standard adjustable suspension. For passengers, the lavish cabin can be outfitted with heated, ventilated and massaging seats in all positions and a 31-inch rear seat entertainment screen.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$171/mo  for 7 Series 740i

　　7 Series 740i

　　740i 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $96,400 MSRP740i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $99,400 MSRP750e xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $107,000 MSRP760i xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $121,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: iDrive 8.5

BMW's iDrive gets a significant update to its Operating System 8.5, rolling out in a number of models including the new 7 Series. In iDrive 8.5, the menus have been restructured according to what BMW calls the "zero-layer principle." This means all the important functions of the system are available from the home screen, rather than the driver having to navigate various submenus. Just as you can customize the layout of apps on your phone, 7 Series drivers can arrange iDrive's functions in a way that makes sense to them. We will report back on how well the updated system — and the rest of the 7 Series — functions just as soon as we get our hands on one for an in-depth review.

　　

Competitors to consider

Germany has long been the master of the flagship sedan. Audi's A8 and Mercedes-Benz's S-Class are locked in an eternal battle of one-upmanship with the 7 Series in terms of content and technology. The Mercedes is somewhat more relaxed than the BMW and the Audi takes the middle ground, although adjustable suspension and drivetrain settings have largely reduced differences in driving behavior and comfort. The Genesis G90 packages much of the same feel and polish with less prestige and a lower price tag, while the Lexus LS 500 offers a distinct take on the ideal, with detailing meant to evoke traditional Japanese art forms such as cut glass and textured metal.

　　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

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the 7 Series drive? We tested the top dog of the 7 Series lineup, the 536-hp 760i xDrive. At our test track, it ripped from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. There's also loads of power for passing on the highway, though we noticed in routine city driving the 760i could seem a little lethargic at low speeds. But in general, buyers should be easily satisfied with any 7 Series, including the 740i or the 750e plug-in hybrid.

　　The 7 Series also feels more agile than expected for a car of this size, with powerful braking and some handling chops to go with it. The steering effort is light, but at no point does the 7 Series feel sloppy or imprecise. There's also an available rear-wheel steering system that helps to shrink the car's turning radius and make lane changes more nimble.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 7 Series? The front and rear seats are remarkably comfortable. The available Luxury Rear Seating package allows the rear seats to recline almost fully via small touchpads on the rear doors. The touchpads also allow passengers to also turn on the seat heating/ventilation or massage functions (those can also be found on the front seats as well). The only caveat is that the vents feel a bit underpowered for the fan speed setting you're on, but the cabin still cools or heats up quickly. You also have lots of options to split temperature and fan speed for different parts of the vehicle.

　　An auto-leveling air suspension is standard across the 7 Series lineup. Our test car also featured a road preview system that can read the road ahead of you and prepare the car to handle any bumps or potholes that are coming up. But like the issues we had with the throttle at low speeds, the suspension doesn't quite sort things out until you get going. From a stop, the car tilts back too far as you accelerate and it creates a swaying motion as things rebalance. While this vehicle rides better than the vast majority of vehicles, it feels a step behind the S-Class and its own stablemate, the electric i7, when it comes to delivering a smooth, isolating ride.

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