2023 BMW 7 Series

We had an opportunity to get behind the wheel of both the 7 Series and i7, and it's both iterative and a departure from what came before. But given the success of the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz S-Class, changes were in store.

A fully electric 7 Series variant will debut with this generation. BMW calls it the i7, and it is reviewed separately.

The new 7 Series is a big car, but it does a decent job of hiding its size and weight. The engine is smooth and strong, and the exhaust note is beefy without being obnoxious. There's more than enough power for day-to-day driving, so passing or merging takes little effort. If you do need to downshift, the new eight-speed auto is quick and responsive, and the built-in 48-volt mild hybrid system smooths out shifts and improves the engine auto stop-start feature.

While there are notable exceptions, modern BMWs don't offer the level of steering feedback you'll find in their predecessors. The steering is quick, but unless you've got it in Sport mode, it's a bit light and lifeless. Switching to Sport adds heft to the steering, so the car feels a little more direct, but there's still some disconnect. Sport mode also sharpens the suspension, improves throttle response and quickens shifts. In other modes, the steering is light, and the rear-axle steering (standard on the 760i xDrive and optional on the 740i) tightens the turning circle to make the car easier to park.

At night, the 7 Series shows off its intricate ambient lighting elements, including the full-width backlit dashboard that BMW calls the Interaction Bar. The Interaction Bar incorporates simple climate controls in the section underneath the curved touchscreen (most are located in the touchscreen), while buttons that automatically open and close the doors are located on the far outside edges. It's slick, but it can be difficult to see in bright light. The center console houses the iDrive infotainment system controller and drive selector (both made of glass), along with a buttonless gloss black multifunction control panel.

There's more in the rear, too. While accoutrements like pillow-style headrests, position-adjustable seats and a wireless charging pad are present, they're also expected. However, the small 5.5-inch touchscreens located on the door grab handles are quite unusual. They adjust the requisite seat, in addition to controlling heating and ventilated functions, the individual climate zone, ambient lighting, audio system and the available Theater Screen entertainment display (more on that later).

In terms of passenger space, the new 7 Series is slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, and headroom is said to be improved. There's plenty of room to stretch out in either row, even for taller passengers.

The latest iteration of iDrive packs a whole new interface that controls most of the car's major functions, from navigation to climate control. BMW removed most buttons from the car's interior steering wheel included. It looks clean, but it means using the touchscreen for everything. It's responsive but occasionally cumbersome, and we used voice commands on more than one occasion because we couldn't find the button for something. The voice commands are good, but they feel like a crutch.

Audio options include a standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system or a 36-speaker surround-sound system with speakers integrated into the headrests and ceiling. Perhaps inspired by its rival at Mercedes-Benz, the 7 Series is one of the first BMWs with an augmented reality overlay for the navigation system. With a destination programmed into the nav, the front camera image will project onto the instrument cluster, complete with floating arrows that tell you where to turn. It's a neat feature that leans into the 7 Series' high-tech ethos, and it makes you want to use the built-in navigation rather than just using your phone.

That high-tech impression might best be exemplified by the new optional Theater Screen. A 31-inch widescreen display with 8K resolution unfolds from just below the panoramic sunroof to provide a wealth of entertainment options for rear passengers. It features integrated Amazon Fire TV and can stream ultra high-def content using the 7 Series' built-in 5G modem. It's impressive in person, although the screen might be a little too close for comfort for some passengers. It also doesn't fit a standard ratio, so whatever you're watching could be cut off or letterboxed. When deployed, it also makes the rear window useless, and the 7 Series bizarrely does not offer a digital rearview mirror. Get used to using those side mirrors, folks.

There are also numerous improvements to the advanced driver aids onboard. The forward collision mitigation system, for instance, can now recognize oncoming traffic and brake to avoid a collision. The Parking Assistant Professional feature that debuted on the iX also makes an appearance here, allowing drivers to teach the vehicle how to pull into or out of tricky driveways. Drivers can also enjoy semi-automated driving at higher speeds. The available Highway Assistant feature allows drivers to go hands-free at speeds up to 80 mph — twice the previous speed limit allowed by BMW. You can tap to change lanes, too, though you always have to be ready to take over. The car will monitor your face to make sure you're paying attention.

All of these features and more add up to a 7 Series with tech that has grown by leaps and bounds compared to the old model. 

740i
Standard feature highlights on the 740i include:

• 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (375 hp, 383 lb-ft)
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• 20-inch wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Adaptive air suspension (adjusts for ride height and comfort)
• Leather upholstery
• Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut)
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Panoramic glass roof with LED inlays
• Multi-color ambient interior lighting
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated seats

The 740i also has:

• 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (both with wireless connectivity)
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• Full digital instrument panel
• 14.9-inch center touchscreen
• Onboard navigation

Standard driver aids include:

• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

760i xDrive
The top-of-the-range 7 Series includes all of the 740i's features, adding:

• 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 (536 hp, 553 lb-ft)
• All-wheel drive
• Ventilated front seats

Notable option packages include:

• Driving Assistance Professional package
• Front cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your path and cause a collision)
• Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the 7 Series and the car in front)
• Highway Assistant (uses the vehicle's advanced driver aids to provide hands-free driving capability in certain highway driving situations)
• Luxury Rear Seating package
• Seat adjustments for the rear seats
• Rear seat ventilation and massage functions
• Executive package
• Upgraded headlights
• Extra heating of cabin touchpoints, such as the armrests
• Front seat ventilation and massage functions
• Automatic opening doors
• Parking Assistance package
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a 3D view of the 7 Series and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Automated parking system
• Illuminated front grille

BMW also offers a multitude of ways to customize the 7 Series with different paint colors, interior trims and leather upholstery choices. Other notable stand-alone options include:

• 36-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
• Rear seat entertainment screen