As you might expect, the i7 rides and handles similarly to a 7 Series. The i7's heavy battery pack means it weighs more than the 7 Series, but the powerful electric motors mean that extra weight doesn't slow it down. The powertrain is smooth most of the time, providing gentle power that's more than enough for passing in the city or merging on the highway. Select Sport mode and throttle response sharpens, making the i7 feel even quicker. It has a nice soundtrack, too, with a Hans Zimmer-composed swell that emits from the speakers when you floor it.
The extra weight means it doesn't handle quite as well as the 7 Series. The steering doesn't provide as much feedback, and the car itself tends to lean more when turning. We found the ride to be a hair stiffer than the 7 Series, too, though it's far from harsh. The suspension absorbs bumps, but it doesn't mute them as well as the EQS. It's a little more engaging than the non-AMG EQS, but the i7 is no sport sedan. The i7 is a large car, but standard rear-axle steering makes it easy to park and turn around in tight spaces by turning the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds.
The i7 is capable of one-pedal driving, though you have to select the mode with the shifter every time you drive. Cars like the EQS and Model S remember if you prefer one-pedal driving. We also found the i7 to be a bit loud on the road, with more road and tire noise than we expect from a luxury car, especially an electric one.
The i7 is available with a wide array of driver aids, including BMW's hands-free highway driving technology called Highway Assistant. On certain stretches of highway, the i7 can accelerate, brake and even change lanes with the tap of a turn signal, though you should always be ready to take over the wheel.