2021 BMW 7 Series Review

Name: 2021 BMW 7 Series
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $31,966 - $54,998

Great

8.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The BMW 750i offers astonishing power and an elite level of comfort. It neatly straddles the line between luxury and ultra-luxury with advanced technology and exceptional cabin comfort. Handling isn't its strongest suit, and its bold new exterior design — specifically the grille — might be an acquired taste, but there's no mistaking this for anything other than a sleek executive interstate missile.

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Average price: $40,073

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Appraise My 2021 BMW 7 Series

BMW 7 Series model years

BMW 7 Series for Sale

BMW 7 Series types

Pros

Strong engine options, including a plug-in hybrid and a turbo V12
Standard adaptive air suspension delivers a comfortable, controlled ride
Exceptional rear passenger space
Abundant standard equipment including safety tech

Cons

Not the driver-focused benchmark it once was
Expensive options menu

What's new

No significant changes for 2021
Part of the sixth 7 Series generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Written by automotive expert Reese Counts

8/17/2020

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 Edmunds 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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

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2021 BMW 7 Series
740i xDrive Sedan
$34,412
fair price
$1,096 below market
- 49,606 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 20 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- Land Rover Bethesda (20 mi away)
- Free home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in North Bethesda, MD
Dual MoonroofLeather SeatsNavigation SystemFront & Rear Heated SeatsKeyless StartAndroid Auto CompatibilityBlack Sapphire MetallicBlack; Dakota...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBA7T4C00MCF93288
Stock: MCF93288
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-24-2026
2021 BMW 7 Series
740i Sedan
$30,995
good price
$954 below market
- 83,367 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 22 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- InTouch Auto Outlet (55 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
*** PREMIUM PACKAGE, M SPORT PACKAGE, HEATED/COOLED SEATS, CLEAN CARFAX REPORT w/CONSISTENT SERVICE RECORDS REPORTED *** 20 Inch Plus Wheels A/C Seat(...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (22 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBA7T2C02MCE56471
Stock: A6144
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.4

out of 10

We drove the 2021 BMW 7 Series on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

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

9/10

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

8/10

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.

2021 BMW 7 Series trim level differences

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. Compare the 2021 BMW 7 Series trim levels in-depth.

Which 7 Series trim does Edmunds 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.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$241/mo

$267/mo

Avg. Large Car

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Reliability

The 2021 BMW 7 Series has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 9 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3 out of 5, ranks it #19 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3 out of 5 stars3/5Above Average

#19 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$789/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

0.82x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

22.1%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Recalls

9 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V644000
Manufactured from:: 2019-02-21 to 2020-07-28
Number of vehicles affected:: 145102
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 340I, X6, 2020-2025 840I, 2020-2022 740LI, 2019-2020 X7, and X5 vehicles. After repeated attempts, the starter motor may overheat from an electrical overload.
Defect Consequence:: An overheated starter motor can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. This recall includes vehicles repaired under recall 24V576 and those owners will need to have their vehicle repaired again. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 17, 2025.

Recall Number:: 24V576000
Number of vehicles affected:: 105588
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5, X7, 2020 3 Series Sedan, X6, 2020-2021 7 Series Sedan, 2020 8 Series Convertible, 8 Series Coupe, and 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. In the event the starter motor fails, repeated attempts to start the vehicle can cause the starter motor to overheat from an electrical overload.
Defect Consequence:: A starter motor that overheats can ignite nearby combustible material in the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V598000
Number of vehicles affected:: 50024
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Defect Consequence:: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V096000
Number of vehicles affected:: 13858
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive Vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V062000
Number of vehicles affected:: 901
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 5, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 21V046000
Number of vehicles affected:: 28
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
Defect Consequence:: A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 29, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 20V761000
Number of vehicles affected:: 812
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Defect Consequence:: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 20V601000
Number of vehicles affected:: 4509
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 530e iPerformance and X3 xDrive30e and MINI Cooper Countryman All4 SE, 2020 BMW i8, and 2021 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le xDrive and X5 xDrive45e vehicles. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery cells during their production.
Defect Consequence:: The debris could result in a short-circuit, increasing the risk of fire or injury.
Corrective Action:: The remedy is currently being developed. Until the remedy is available, drivers are instructed to not charge their vehicles. Drivers are instructed to not drive in manual mode, sport mode, and to not use the shift paddles. Owners were notified of the safety risk October 23, 2020. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall Number:: 20V379000
Number of vehicles affected:: 16
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 740Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive, M760Li xDrive, and Alpina B7 vehicles. The top child seat tether anchor on the rear middle seat may not be readily accessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, Section 6.1(b) "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Defect Consequence:: A child restraint system placed on the vehicle's rear middle seat without utilizing the three-point safety belt, could increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Corrective Action:: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a top tether anchor cover at the rear middle seating position. Until vehicles are remedied, owners will be instructed to utilize the outboard rear seating positions which are equipped with an accessible top tether anchor, or, the middle rear seating position and the vehicle's three-point safety belt. This recall is expected to begin August 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

BMW 7 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.7

36 reviews

5(86%)

4(5%)

3(6%)

2(0%)

1(3%)

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2021 7 Series Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

740i

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$86,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$241/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 7 Series models:

Collision Mitigation: Alerts the driver if a collision is imminent and can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
Side Collision Prevention: Applies automatic steering input to guide the car away from potential side impacts.
Daytime Pedestrian Protection: Warns the driver and can automatically apply the brakes if a pedestrian suddenly appears in front of the car.

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2021 BMW 7 Series Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 BMW 7 Series trim level differences

Which 7 Series trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

BMW 7 Series Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 7 Series Features & Specs

Safety

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