2024 BMW 7 Series

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.

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.

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.