BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series has been the flagship sedan of the brand for decades. It fits in the lineup above the 5 Series and alongside the 8 Series Gran Coupe. While the nomenclature makes it seem like the 8 Series Gran Coupe is a step up, it is slightly smaller and has less room inside than the 7 Series and doesn't offer an optional V12 engine. In 2020, the BMW 7 Series received a significant styling and features update and it heads into 2022 with no changes.

This 7 Series is one of MatoCar' top-ranked large luxury sedans. It is loaded with all the latest technology BMW has to offer and is impressively spacious and comfortable. If you're looking for alternatives, the 7 Series competes with the Audi A8, Genesis G90, Mercedes-Benz S Class and Porsche Panamera. All of these vehicles represent the pinnacle of their respective brand's luxury and technology.

Overall, we're impressed with the 7 Series' strong engines, technology and roomy cabin. Take a look at our detailed Expert Rating to learn more about why we rank it so highly.

Which 7 Series does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 7 Series is available in a variety of trims and configurations. While the base 740i and its turbocharged inline-six offer solid performance and plenty of features, we think it's worth stepping up to the V8-powered 750i xDrive for the additional performance, useful head-up display and standard all-wheel drive.

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 engine and the presence or not of all-wheel drive (called xDrive), though some features and options further separate the trims.

740i and 740i xDrive The base 740i is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine (335 hp, 331 lb-ft) and sends power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 740i xDrive is the same but with all-wheel drive. Standard feature highlights for both models include:

Adaptive air suspension
LED headlights
16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch infotainment screen with navigation
Apple CarPlay smartphone integration (late availability for Android Auto)
Heated front seats, armrests and steering wheel
16-way power-adjustable front seats
Keyless entry and ignition
Four-zone automatic climate control
Power-sliding panoramic glass roof

The 7 Series also comes with:

Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the 7 Series and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Forward collision mitigation (applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision)

745e xDrive This is the plug-in hybrid 7 Series variant. It pairs a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack for a combined 389 hp. It also improves fuel economy and offers an estimated 16 miles of all-electric driving. Features mirror those on the 740i xDrive, including all-wheel drive, although the 745e xDrive has unique interior accents.

750i xDrive The 750i xDrive has a more powerful turbocharged V8 (523 hp, 553 lb-ft) and standard all-wheel drive. It has everything on the 740i plus:

Head-up display
Premium leather upholstery

M760i xDrive The M760i xDrive is the range-topping model. It's powered by a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 (601 hp, 627 lb-ft) and all-wheel drive comes standard. The M760i xDrive is loaded with features, including: