Model tested: BMW 760i xDrive Sedan
Engine: 4.4-liter twin-power turbo V8
Transmission: 8-speed sport automatic
Horsepower: 536
Torque: 553 lb.-ft.
EPA ratings: 18/city, 26/highway, 21/combined
Base price: $113,600
As tested: $149,045
Overview: Totally redesigned for 2023, the BMW 7 Series showcases a new generation of BMW’s luxury flagship sedan, and virtually everything about it is new. With pricing starting at $95,700, the styling, technology and dynamics make this luxury cruiser a distinctive personal choice for a relatively small cadre of individuals. This exclusive market segment consists of cars that bathe occupants in opulence, while protecting and amusing them with cutting edge technology while quietly cruising at triple-digit speeds. The new BMW 7 Series certainly does all that — and more — with a poise and power that’s pure joy to experience. Rivals include the Mercedes S-Class, Porsche Panamera, Genesis G90, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. Our test-driver was the 760i.
Walkaround: The new 7 Series is about 5 inches longer, 2 inches taller and almost 2 inches wider than its predecessor. It’s big, imposing, and our Mineral White Metallic test-driver with its black grille and black wheels was unmistakably a BMW.
Interior: The interior is a study in opulent luxury, with real crystal knobs and controls. BMW’s Individual Composition Program features a wide variety of interior leathers and woods, allowing buyers to personalize their new vehicle to indulge their individual tastes. Technology can change the mood of this entire car, while supple leather gives everyone a comfortable place to sit. The new 7 Series offers self-opening and closing doors and some of the best massaging seats we’ve ever experienced. The large, curved screen contains a section for driver information as well as a user-friendly infotainment touchscreen. Even the rear seats have screens in the door panels for individual climate and other controls. The right-rear seat in our test-driver was obviously meant for someone chauffer-driven. It’s basically your home recliner, featuring heated, ventilated and massaging seats with power adjustments, along with USB ports and a screen on the armrest. The Bowers & Wilkins 1,965-watt, 40-speaker surround-sound system includes speakers in the front headrests with sound that is beyond superb. Dropping down from the ceiling is a massive 31.3-inch, high-resolution display — a must-have option for VIPs ensconced in the rear seats. It’s compatible with streaming services and comes with the B&W system. A rear-window shade closes automatically when the screen is deployed. The panoramic “Sky Lounge” LED roof — a huge glass roof with thousands of LEDs inside, creating a series of interesting patterns — is standard.
Behind the wheel: Pushing the gas pedal reveals a totally different personality. The 536-horsepower V8 sounds as powerful as a vehicle doing the 0-60 drill in 4.1 seconds. In sport mode, the responses and agility feel more like a small sports sedan than a rolling 2.5-ton palace.
Bottom line: There are more amenities than there’s room to list here, but this is the ultimate luxury cruiser that can be personalized to the ‘nth degree. Buyers who can afford a brand-new 7 Series probably consider weak resale values a minor annoyance — and the tradeoff for ultimate luxury worth it.
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