Overview
Electric powertrains make a lot of sense in a large luxury car. Take the 2024 BMW i7, which features a powerful dual-motor setup with a nearly silent operation that only serves to enhance the feeling of serenity that luxury buyers expect. Couple that with a smooth ride and a spacious cabin built from premium materials and you have an electric 7-series that’s worth its asking price. The i7 is a sedan for the tech-savvy buyer, too, as it’s filled to the brim with digital displays and even can be had with a drop-down theater system for those chauffeured in the back—something its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQS, doesn’t offer. The standard i7 xDrive60 comes with 536 horsepower and a driving range of up to 318 miles, while a performance-oriented M70 trim boosts power to 650 hp and offers a range of around 295 miles. Those range numbers are good enough to compete with rivals such as the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S, neither of which offer anywhere near the sort of sybaritic luxury that the i7 does.
What’s New for 2024?
BMW has added the 650-hp M70 model to the i7’s lineup for 2024. The more powerful electric powertrain is said to power the big sedan to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and still offers an estimated 295-mile driving range per charge. Otherwise, we’re expecting that the i7 will carry over to the new year with no other major changes.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Unless you’re expecting to be challenged at every stop light for an impromptu drag race, we’d suggest sticking with the xDrive60 model. It still offers plenty of zip from its 536-hp powertrain and comes standard with a host of desirable features. Like the gasoline-powered 7-series, the i7 is a limousine-like luxury sedan that can be configured to pamper rear-seat occupants with the optional Executive Lounge package. We’d recommend that package, as it adds plenty of features to justify its price tag, including plush reclining rear seats with massage.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The i7 uses a similar electric powertrain setup as the brand’s new EV SUV, the iX, with two electric motors—one driving each axle—making a combined 536 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard and acceleration is brisk for such a large vehicle. We estimate that the i7 xDrive60 will hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The more powerful M70 model dials up the heat to 650 horsepower. Handling is surprisingly agile for a large sedan but the i7 won’t attract buyers looking for sports-sedan handling. Those seeking a comfortable and luxurious experience will find much to like and during our first test drive, we noted its particularly smooth ride and hushed cabin. If you’d prefer a gasoline-powered 7-series, one is still available; we review that model separately.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The i7 xDrive60 should offer a driving range of up to 318 miles per charge, but the EPA hasn’t released an official estimate yet for the M70 model. BMW claims the performance-oriented version should come in around 295 miles per charge. The car’s large 101.7-kWh battery pack can be hooked up to DC fast charging stations and is said to be capable of adding 80 miles of driving range in just 10 minutes on such a connection. Speaking of charging, BMW is including three years of free 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America charging stations with every new i7.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA estimates that the i7 should deliver up to 87 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway. We haven’t had a chance to test the i7 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route, but once we do, we’ll update this story with test results. For more information about the i7’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Because they were developed jointly, the i7 benefits from the same spacious, luxurious, and upscale cabin ambiance as the gasoline-powered 7-series. In addition to luxuries, the i7 offers a bevy of high-tech convenience features that put it on solid footing versus rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS and the Tesla Model S. There’s generous room in both the front and the rear seats and fine materials lining every square inch of the interior. Opt for the Executive Lounge package and your rear-seat passengers will be treated to power-adjustable reclining seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and extra-plush headrests. The trunk space is plentiful but if you’re hauling longer items, you’ll find a handy rear-seat pass-through feature.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The i7 borrows its digital dashboard from the iX SUV, which consists of large floating digital- gauge and infotainment displays. Sandwiched together under a single pane of glass, the two displays offer a clear look at driving data and entertainment features. There is also an available rear-seat entertainment system featuring a large 31.3-inch screen that drops from the ceiling and can access streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube via the car’s 5G cellular connection.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are standard with more advanced tech available optionally. Available features include a hands-free driving mode for use on the highway and a parking assistant system that allows the driver to exit the vehicle and park the car via a smartphone app. For more information about the i7’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are expected to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The i7 comes standard with the same warranty coverage as BMW’s other electrified models, the iX SUV and the i4 sedan, which means basic coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and more generous protection for the electric-vehicle components. All new BMWs also come with a three-year complimentary maintenance plan.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- EV components warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2023 BMW i7 xDrive60
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base: $120,295
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 255 hp, 269 lb-ft
Rear Motor: current-excited synchronous AC, 308 hp, 280 lb-ft
Combined Power: 536 hp
Combined Torque: 549 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 101.7 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 195 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 126.6 in
Length: 212.2 in
Width: 76.8 in
Height: 60.8 in
Passenger Volume: 112 ft3
Trunk Volume: 11 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 5950 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 9.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec
Top Speed: 130–149 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 83–89/81–87/85–92 MPGe
Range: 296–318 mi
