The all-new BMW i7 is the flagship of the German automaker’s luxury sedans. This stunning electric vehicle has impressive power, agile performance, an opulent interior loaded with features and tech, and a range of 296 to 318 miles depending on wheel size. But the i7 starts at nearly $120,000 and the price can climb even more with packages and options.
Base Price: $119,300
As Tested: $151,995
Horsepower: 536
Mileage: 85 MPGe city/89 MPGe highway/87 MPGe combined
If you watch Succession, this is the type of car where you’d expect to see Logan Roy being chauffeured in the cushy backseat.
The five-passenger BMW i7 is brand new for the 2023 model year, based on the gas-powered 7 Series. There’s only one well-equipped trim with a starting price of $119,300. All-wheel drive is standard. Numerous packages and options are available that can easily send the price above $150,000.
There’s one powertrain: two electric motors and a 101.7-kWh lithium-ion battery. Total output is 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is a single-speed automatic.
The i7 has nimble handling for a large sedan that weighs close to 6,000 pounds. Acceleration is brisk. BMW says the i7 can go from zero to 60 mpg in 4.5 seconds. While this isn’t as fast as some other luxury or performance-oriented EVs, it’s decent for a large sedan. There’s plenty of smooth power for accelerating at higher speeds. Merging and passing is effortless. Steering is nicely weighted and balanced, with the i7 cornering well for a large sedan with little body roll. Brakes are responsive. You can select among different levels of regenerative braking including one-pedal driving. The ride is extremely cushy and smooth with the suspension soaking up bumps, and the cabin is quiet as a library. All in all, the i7 is a great blend of power and comfort, and a joy to drive!
BMW says the i7 has a range of 318 miles on a full charge. Models with 21-inch wheels have a range of 308 miles, while the 19s reduce range to 296 miles.
Charging the i7 takes less than 12 hours when using a 240-volt plug (Level 2). With DC Fast Charging, the battery can go from 10% to 80% charged in about 34 minutes. Using a standard 110-volt plug only adds a few miles of range per hour so it can take 24-48 hours to charge.
The sumptuous cabin is loaded with tons of features and tech. Materials are top notch, including carbon fiber and real wood, and the build quality is excellent with attention paid to every detail. Two curved screens, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment system dominate the dash. Seats in both rows are very supportive and comfortable, with plenty of room for tall passengers. The backseat is perfect for someone who’s being chauffeured as it’s spacious and filled with amenities. Options in the second row include ventilated and massaging seats, and a huge 31-inch high-res rear screen entertainment screen. All four doors open and close with the push of a button – because you shouldn’t have to trouble yourself with the mundane task of opening or closing a door with the i7!
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, head-up display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, four-zone automatic climate control, Merino leather upholstery, heated and ventilated 18-way power-adjustable front seats, front-seat memory settings, heated leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, heated rear seats, power rear-window sun shades, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with a 14.9-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, navigation, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB ports, wireless device charging, soft-close doors, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, universal garage door opener, multicolor ambient interior lighting, and a panoramic sunroof with embedded LED lighting.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, dashcam, Alcantara headliner, 39-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system, front massaging seats, ventilated and massaging rear seats, executive rear center console, reclining passenger-side rear seat with a power-adjustable footrest, and a 31-inch rear entertainment system.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic parking.
Available driver assistance technologies include lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, lane-change assist, evasive-steering assist (helps to steer the i7 to avoid a crash), adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist (which allows for hands-free driving on certain highways), park assist, and vehicle exit warning (alerts people exiting the i7 of vehicles approaching from behind)
The infotainment system definitely has a learning curve. There are many menus and submenus, and it takes time to figure out where everything is located. The huge 14.9-inch horizontal screen looks great with vibrant graphics. The system responds quickly to touch and voice commands. While there are some physical controls, they are small capacitive touch buttons that can be awkward to use while driving.
The i7 has a trunk that’s a little smaller than the 7 Series at 11.4 cubic feet. A power open and close is standard. Unlike many other EVs, there’s no underfloor compartment and no frunk (front trunk).
The good:
Good range of 296 to 318 miles depending on wheel size
Brisk acceleration
Nimble handling, especially for a large sedan
Standard all-wheel drive
Opulent, spacious interior
Packed with features and tech; more available in packages and options
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Six-figure starting price that increases quickly with packages and options
Tech can be overwhelming at first
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $119,300. Smoke White Merino leather is $1,000. The Driving Assistance Pro Package is $2,100 and includes Active Driving Assistant Pro and Highway Assistant. BMW Individual Composition is $5,450 and includes Alcantara headliner coordinate. The Luxury Rear Seating Package is $600 and adds rear massaging seats. The Parking Assistance Package is $1,250 and includes Parking Assistant Professional and a surround view camera system with 3D view. The Executive Package is $6,550 and includes Active Comfort Drive with Preview, automatic doors, crystal headlights, front massaging seats and active roll stabilization. Rear Executive Lounge Seating is $7,250 and includes reclining seats and footrests, executive lounge rear console, and a BMW theater screen. 21-inch wheels are $1,300. Climate Comfort laminated glass is $1,300. Interior camera is $100. Bowers & Wilkins sound system is $4,800. Destination charge is $995 bringing the grand total to $151,995.
Bottom line:
The all-new 2023 BMW i7 is based on its gas-powered sibling, the 7 Series. This new luxury EV provides nimble performance, a cushy ride, and an opulent interior that’s loaded with features and tech. It’s sure worthy of being BMW’s new flagship and can easily compete with other high-end EVs from Audi, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Tesla. Check it out if you’ve got more than a hundred grand to spend on a luxury EV.
