Name: BMW 7 Series (2022 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: BMW 7 Series
Rating: 67.0

Summary

On sale in different guises since 1977, the BMW 7 Series is the German brand’s largest luxury saloon. This is the latest seventh-generation model, which became available to order at the start of 2023. The range also includes the all-electric i7 saloon, which is instead covered here.

The new 7 Series offers one of the most luxurious driving experiences around, with innovative on-board tech that makes it stand out from its rivals. Yet British reviewers are yet to give the plug-in hybrid full marks, with many preferring the electric i7 for being marginally more comfortable.

“Where the i7 has the most wonderfully cushioned damping”, says Autocar’s Piers Ward, plug-in hybrid versions of the 7 Series “let the wheel movement enter into the cockpit a bit more.”

There has been praise for the car’s performance though. The What Car? team explains that “the petrol engine needs a moment to really get into its stride, once it does you’re positively hurled down the road.”

Motoring outlets have also criticised the BMW’s divisive exterior styling and eye-watering six-figure price tag – complaints that also apply to the i7 – but all agree that the cabin is of the highest quality. “It has arguably the finest interior in the automotive world”, asserts Top Gear‘s Jason Barlow. “You can argue among yourselves about the exterior design, but inside is a knock-out.”

As of March 2024, the BMW 7 Series holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. This is somewhat lower than the all-electric i7, which is due to higher running costs and slightly lower review scores from the UK motoring media.

7 Series highlights

Outstanding comfort and interior refinement
Spacious cabin with plenty of on-board tech
Relaxing driving experience
Excellent pace and acceleration

7 Series lowlights

Very expensive price tag and options list
Polarising exterior styling
No traditional petrol or diesel engine choices
The i7 is more comfortable

Key specifications

Body style: Large saloon
Engines: plug-in hybrid
Price: From £105,510 on-road

Launched: Winter 2022/23
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Divisive styling doesn’t change the fact that the BMW 7 Series is one of the most impressive luxury vehicles on sale today.”
Author: Max Adams, Shane Wilkinson
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 7 Series sells in tiny numbers in the UK and Europe but has a bigger role to play as a global ambassador for the brand’s latest tech, design and innovation.” (Dan Trent)
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: M760e xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“The PHEV car thrums across ridges more and doesn’t do quite such an easy job of isolating the worst of the Tarmac. Where the i7 has the most wonderfully cushioned damping, this M760e lets the wheel movement enter into the cockpit a bit more, especially under load.” (Piers Ward)
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid M760e
Score: 10 / 10
“We find BMW’s approach to the new 7 Series generally appealing – instead of building a bespoke electric car, it’s engineered its latest flagship right from the start to accept every kind of powertrain. That means that every 7 Series customer knows that they’re getting the best of BMW’s best, no matter which kind of engine suits their needs and lifestyle.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 7 Series is a high-end saloon that’s filled to the brim with kit and is very comfortable throughout. Looks will divide people though, and it certainly isn’t cheap.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Luxury and technology abound in the BMW 7 Series, with a truly first class experience for those in the back. Look beyond the divisive design and you’ll find a limousine that’s as good to drive as it is to be driven in.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Its design may put some off, but it may attract others. But what really sets the BMW 7 Series apart is the impressive build quality of its interior and the technology available to the buyer.” (CJ Hubbard)
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The new 7 Series has arguably the finest interior in the automotive world, beautifully executed, well-made and imaginative. You can argue among yourselves about the exterior design, but inside is a knock-out.” (Jason Barlow)
Read review

What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW 7 Series is a fine luxury limo, but the fully electric BMW i7 offers much lower tax bills, as do some plug-in hybrids from rival manufacturers.” (Will Nightingale)
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of March 2024, the BMW 7 Series has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of March 2024, the BMW 7 Series has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the latest BMW 7 Series to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the 7 Series, we’ll publish the score here.

Historically, previous 7 Series models have had very poor reliability ratings. Hopefully the new model will improve on this.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	259 mpg	A	235 – 282 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	24 g/km	A	23 – 25 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	51 miles	C	46 – 55 miles	C – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F	50 – 50	F – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£504	D
Year 2	£1,022	D
Year 3	£1,567	D
Year 4	£1,871	D
Year 5	£2,471	D
Overall	£7,435	D

The seventh-generation BMW 7 Series is quite an expensive to run and own, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The 7 Series is only offered available as a plug-in hybrid in the UK, which means that the official fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures look amazing, but they’re not going to be anything like that in real-world driving. There’s no way you’ll ever manage to travel 259 miles on one gallon (4.5 litres) of petrol and a full battery.

The car’s insurance premiums also reflect its eye-watering price tag, although service and maintenance costs over five years of ownership are predicted to be around the market average, and a bit cheaper to maintain than key rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.