Summary
Part of the seventh-generation 7 Series range, the BMW i7 is a luxury electric saloon that arrived in the UK at the start of 2023, rivalling the similarly-priced Mercedes-Benz EQS. A more powerful M70 variant will arrive in the UK later this year.
One of the most comfortable and luxurious cars on the market, the i7 has received near-universal praise from the UK media since its arrival, with its spacious and tech-laden cabin being earmarked as a particular highlight.
“The BMW i7 is a prime example of a truly luxurious saloon successfully transitioning to the electric age”, says Dave Humphreys of The Sunday Times, adding that “its driving qualities and range make it one of the most appealing prospects in its class.”
The What Car? team is more enthused by the saloon’s “astonishing range of tech”, including an optional 8K resolution cinema screen that folds down from the roof in the rear. Matt Robinson of Auto Express calls this tech “cutting-edge”, although this view wasn’t unanimously shared – Carbuyer‘s Richard Ingram thought that some of these features are “a bit of a gimmick”.
The saloon’s exterior styling has also split reviewer (and social media) opinion, but Car‘s James Dennison argues: “to write it off for those reasons really would be an injustice of proportions matched only by the car’s radiator grille.”
Offering interior comfort that has been frequently compared to a Rolls-Royce (the British luxury brand is also owned by BMW), reviewers agree that the i7 is a convincing EV showcase that justifies its expensive price tag.
As of October 2024, the BMW i7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 70%. It scores top marks for its excellent media review scores and its lack of any tailpipe emissions, although running costs are only average and we don’t yet have any reliability data.
- BMW 7 Series (plug-in hybrid version) – Expert Rating
- More BMW Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
i7 highlights
- Outstanding comfort and interior refinement
- Spacious cabin with plenty of on-board tech
- Competitive battery range
- Easy driving experience
- Zero tailpipe emissions
i7 lowlights
- Not as agile as the normal 7 Series
- Very expensive price tag and options list
- Polarising exterior styling
- Running costs are high
Key specifications
Body style: Large saloon
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £101,765 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: M70 xDrive
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW i7 M70 is much like lesser i7 models bar for the ridiculous straight-line performance, but it costs more than £160,000, so it’s a pricey car that only few will value. However, for those that do, it’ll hit the spot, even if it feels more like a tweaked standard car than even a true M Performance model.”
Author: Sean Carson
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Model reviewed: xDrive60 M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“You’ll either love or loathe the styling, but the BMW i7 is a supremely comfortable and capable luxury EV.”
Author: Adam Towler, Matt Robinson
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Model reviewed: xDrive60 Excellence
Score: 8 / 10
“Once you look past some of the more gimmicky elements of the BMW i7’s technology offering, you realise it’s probably the best luxury car this side of a Rolls-Royce. The smooth, quiet and powerful electric powertrain is a great match for the car’s exceptional ride comfort on UK roads, wonderful refinement and spacious rear cabin. The price soon balloons with options, but the i7 more than justifies its high cost.”
Author: Matt Robinson
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“BMW goes all-in with the first all-electric limo, the super luxurious i7 showcasing the latest in the brand’s design, engineering and technology.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: xDrive60 M Sport
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s no traditional limousine, but with its urgent, super-refined performance, excellent drivability and serene cruising manners, the BMW i7 xDrive60 demands consideration by anyone who wants a luxury saloon in the traditional mould. It’s richer, more inviting, more technology-packed and more spacious than any 7 Series before it, and it earns its stripes on handling, too.”
Author: Matt Saunders
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Business Car
Model reviewed: xDrive60 M Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“Get past the looks and it’s hard not to be impressed by the BMW i7, we’d certainly choose it over the Mercedes EQS – even if that has the longer range.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“On the face of it, the BMW i7 is another super-expensive, controversially styled, ultra-heavy EV. Yet to write it off for those reasons really would be an injustice of proportions matched only by the car’s radiator grille. As a technical showcase it’s supreme, as a luxury car it’s bettered only by sister company Rolls Royce and as an EV it’s a convincing showcase for the future.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The electric-only BMW i7 uses the same platform and body as the plug-in hybrid 7 Series, but without all the usual practicality and efficiency compromises.”
Author: Charlie Harvey, Alex Ingram
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Carwow
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW i7 is an excellent EV limo that will take you everywhere in luxury, but it’s rather expensive and it won’t go quite as far on a charge as a Mercedes EQS.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Taking a different approach to its Mercedes arch rival, BMW hits the nail on the head with the first electric 7 Series.”
Author: Tom Jervis
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW i7’s looks are controversial to say the least. But the interior is just gorgeous, and the massive cinema-like screen for rear passengers is a really cool party trick to offer VIP chauffeur passengers. It’s incredibly quiet and comfy, too.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: xDrive60
Score: 9 / 10
“The BMW i7 is a very impressive car to drive, offering good performance, a useful official range, and an extremely refined and comfortable experience on long journeys.”
Author: Paul Clarke
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The BMW i7 is probably the most impressive saloon car we’ve even driven – and that includes Bentleys and Rolls-Royces. Its electric powertrain adds to the luxury, with incredible refinement and punchy performance. We like it a lot.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re in the market for a luxury EV, the i7 should be right near the top of your list. Yes, it’s expensive before you’ve even raided the options list and rivals can go farther, yet the i7’s opulent interior and impeccable driving manners more than make up for it.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The BMW i7 is a prime example of a truly luxurious saloon successfully transitioning to the electric age. It retains all of the expected creative comforts, mixes in a generous blend of new technology and while its styling won’t be to everyone’s taste, its driving qualities and range make it one of the most appealing prospects in its class.”
Author: Dave Humphreys
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: i7 range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“BMW, it appears, is on a rapid upward trajectory with its EVs, and the i7 is a phenomenally accomplished machine. You can argue about the exterior design but inside is a knock-out. It’s blissfully smooth, fast and easy to drive, and impressively efficient for such a large car. A lot of clever, highly motivated people have dug very deep here and you can tell. The BMW i7 is one hell of a car.”
Author: Jason Barlow
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Electric luxury limo has an astonishing range of tech, treats the passengers like royalty and is great to drive.”
Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: xDrive60
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The BMW i7 is an incredibly luxurious vehicle with one of the best interiors you will experience, although it might be a little showy for some. Whether you’re in the front or back, you can travel in extreme comfort with exceptional ride quality. The Tesla Model S is faster, and the Mercedes EQS has longer range, but if you want ultimate high-speed luxury and you’re willing to pay for it, the BMW i7 certainly delivers.”
Author: James Morris
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of October 2024, the BMW i7 has not been tested by Euro NCAP. This is usually the case for a vehicle at this price point.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the BMW i7 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the i7 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW i7 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 i7, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 367 miles | A | 334 – 387 miles | A – A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.5 m/KWh | D | 3.3 – 3.7 m/KWh | D – E |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £480 | D |
| Year 2 | £854 | C |
| Year 3 | £1,210 | C |
| Year 4 | £1,448 | C |
| Year 5 | £1,885 | C |
| Overall | £5,877 | C |
Running costs for the BMW i7 are a bit of a mixed bag according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The saloon’s official battery range of 371 miles is well above average. So you shouldn’t need to worry about running out of charge in normal day-to-day driving. Its electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is lower than the market average, but that is understandable given the car’s size and weight.
Insurance costs reflect the expensive price tag, but service and maintenance costs over five years of ownership are good, particularly when compared to its closest rival the Mercedes-Benz EQS which data suggests is more expensive to maintain long-term.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the BMW i7
Date: October 2023
Recall number: R/2023/288
Model types: All i7 xDrive models
Build dates: 10/2022 to 01/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 100
Defect: On affected vehicles under certain conditions due to an increased loading on the wiper arm it may result in the loss of movement of the wipers.
Remedy: Inspect the wiper mechanism on affected vehicles and replace if necessary.
As of October 2024, there have been one DVSA vehicle safety recall on the BMW i7, addressing faulty windscreen wipers.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used BMW, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW i7 has received.
2024
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Electric Luxury Car
2023
- The Car Expert Awards – Best Luxury Car
- Auto Express Awards – Best Luxury Car
- Parkers Awards – Best Luxury Car
- Professional Driver Awards – Best Chauffeur Car
- What Car? Awards – Technology Award
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Electric Luxury Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the BMW i7, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi A8 | Audi e-tron GT | Bentley Flying Spur | BMW 7 Series | Lexus LS | Maserati Quattroporte | Mercedes-Benz EQS | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Porsche Panamera | Porsche Taycan | Tesla Model S
More information
More news, reviews and information about the BMW 7 Series at The Car Expert
Buy a BMW i7
If you’re looking to buy a new BMW i7, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
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Lease a BMW i7
If you’re looking to lease a new BMW i7, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a BMW i7
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
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