2010 BMW 7 Series Reviews & Ratings

Acceleration

Fine in normal driving, but full-throttle takeoffs start with a somewhat timid launch followed by a strong surge as the turbos get cooking. This somewhat non-linear throttle response makes for unwanted lurching in around-town driving. Upshifts are accompanied by a slight sag in power, but downshifts are quite prompt. BMW quotes a 0-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds for the 750i, 5.2 for the 750Li. Those figures seem a bit optimistic, but the 7 is never lacking for power.

Fuel Economy

In Consumer Guide testing, a 750i averaged 17.9 mpg. Premium-grade gas is required.

Ride Quality

Falls well short of the lofty ride-balance standard we've come to expect from BMW. The adjustable suspension offers Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ modes. Comfort mode is floaty and induces more tire thump and reaction to bumps than in top rivals, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Normal mode decreases the latter only slightly. Sport and Sport+ are increasingly stiff. While never outright harsh or uncomfortable, the 7-Series is not as composed as it should be.

Steering/Handling/Braking

With the optional Sport Package, Integral Active (rear wheel) Steering combines with BMW's excellent Active Roll Stabilization to make a 7-Series so-equipped among the best-handling large sedans available. Integral Active Steering turns the rear wheels slightly in the opposite direction of the fronts at low speeds to aid maneuverability and cut 2.5 feet from the turning radius, and in the same direction as the fronts at higher speeds to benefit stability. While handling is impressive even in Comfort or Normal modes, it sharpens somewhat in Sport and Sport+. Steering is nicely weighted and the brakes confidence-inspiring. Without the Sport Package, the 7-Series feels much looser, with noticeable body lean and not enough steering feedback.

Quietness

Generally serene, but the 7 exhibits a bit of wind rush at highway speeds and suffers some bump noise around town. The twin-turbo engine emits a soft, turbine-like whine under full-throttle acceleration.

Controls

The revamped iDrive system takes the 7-Series from one of the worst luxury-car control schemes to one of the best. While a separate audio system would still be preferable, a row of eight programmable buttons that can be set for radio stations, map destinations, or shortcuts to an iDrive screen greatly ease everyday use, as do redundant steering-wheel controls. However, the optional 6-disc CD changer is inconveniently mounted in the upper glovebox. Also added are separate buttons for suspension adjustments and a few iDrive functions that previously required using the joystick controller. Climate controls are mounted low on the dash but are easy to reach. The navigation system is relatively simple to program, and the large, 10.2-inch dashboard screen shows a very clear image. Guidance instructions can be set to appear on the right-hand side of a split screen and on the available head-up display on the windshield. The shift lever retains its electronic "pattern" but moves from the steering column to a more conventional placement on the center console.

Details

The 7-Series cabin is mostly understated, perhaps too much so for some, given this car's lofty price. Mostly black interior trim on cars we've tested largely mutes the impression of the nice interior materials and wood.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)

Plenty of headroom and legroom for even the lankiest occupants. The driver seat can be fitted with ventilation, adjustable thigh support, and an articulating back rest. The optional massage function doesn't so much "massage" as adjust pressure points every few minutes, something we find of somewhat dubious value. Lane-departure warning works well; it "shimmies" the wheel a bit if the driver fails to signal or the car drifts toward the side where another car is detected. Night vision is also impressive. Like most night-vision systems, its infrared camera can see far more clearly at night than the naked eye, and it displays a black-and-white image on the dashboard screen. But this version also incorporates Pedestrian Detection, which not only "paints" people with a yellow tint in order to make them stand out, but also flashes a warning on the instrument panel or on the available head-up display. Active Cruise Control allows the driver to set one of four following distances, and it worked as advertised in our test. So did the Collision Warning System, which beeps if you're closing on a car too quickly. The optional camera package includes the traditional rearview camera along with cameras mounted in the front wheel wells that look to both sides; each of the sideview cameras displays an image on half the navigation screen, useful when pulling out of an alley or from between two cars.

Room/Comfort (Rear)

Headroom is adequate even for 6-footers. In the 750i, most adults have adequate legroom even behind a tall driver, and the Li offers limo-like legroom. The seat is very comfortable, but while it may be wide enough to squeeze three across, the center rider would have to straddle a very bulky driveline hump. Optional on the Li are heated and cooled rear seats with adjustable seat back angle. Also optional is a dual-screen entertainment system.

Cargo Room

The trunk is spacious and nicely trimmed but the opening isn't particularly large. Inside, there's a roomy console box along with two covered cupholders, a small dash tray, and upper and lower gloveboxes. However, the optional 6-disc CD changer takes up the entirety of the upper glovebox.

Value Within Class

BMW's flagship car has many useful hi-tech features, and its iDrive system is noteworthy for its ease of use. Competitors Audi A8, Lexus LS, and Mercedes S-Class all offer better isolation from outside disturbances, nicer interior materials, and a more-composed ride. The 7-Series is a worthwhile contender, though it's tough to recommend over the aforementioned rival premium-large cars.