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- Highs Classic BMW handsomeness, excellent engines, quiet interior.
- Lows Gimmicky interior tech, Ultimate Driving Machine character absent (again).
- Verdict Neither more luxurious nor more sporting than rivals, the 7 succeeds mainly at being expensive.
Overview
If you're into large, luxurious sedans—or you're lucky enough to have your own chauffer—the 2020 BMW 7-series is a handsome and comfortable choice. We have praised past 7-series generations for bridging the gap between luxury and athleticism, but unfortunately we can't say the same for this latest offering. It's basically the antithesis of a sports sedan: The ride is soft, the steering is light, and it's set up to cruise silently for hours, pampering its occupants with tech and comfort features along the way. Powertrains range from the 320-hp turbocharged inline-six to the monstrous twin-turbo V-12 in the range-topping M760i; buyers seeking good fuel economy can opt for the 745e plug-in hybrid model. No matter the powertrain, the 7-series is best when it is equipped with the optional semi-autonomous driving mode so you can sit back and leave the driving to it.
What's New for 2020?
BMW has given its flagship a thorough refresh for the 2020 model year, starting with exterior styling revisions that include a much larger front grille, new front and rear bumpers, new exterior lighting elements, and a higher, flatter hood. A self-parking feature is now standard across the lineup, as are LED adaptive headlamps and a heated steering wheel; 740i and 745e models come standard with 20-way adjustable front seats. The 750i model now comes only with all-wheel drive and receives a more powerful twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 making 523 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid model ditches last year's four-cylinder/electric motor arrangement for a six-cylinder gasoline engine with electric assist for a total of 389 horsepower and is now called the 745e; it also comes with a larger 12.0-kWh battery pack.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The lead-footed among us may disagree, but the base powertrain—a turbocharged inline-six—in the 740i is perfectly suitable for this car's relaxed nature. It still provides plenty of gumption when you need it, but otherwise it's quiet and smooth, so it's the one we'd recommend. Plus, its lower starting price frees up your money to go toward some luxury interior features. We'd pick the Cold Weather package, which adds heated front seats and steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a remote start feature. We'd also splurge on the Driving Assistance Professional package—a semi-autonomous driving mode that is particularly useful in traffic jams—so we can relax and let the car do some of the work.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engines and transmissions are at the top of the short list of highlights here. Every single one, from the 740i's 320-hp turbocharged inline-six to the M760i's insane 601-hp twin-turbo V-12, is velvety smooth and feels more muscular than its official horsepower figures indicate. Even the 745e plug-in's combination of a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and an electric motor is powerful and manages to drive with a natural feel that's absent from most hybrids. Every 7-series shares some variation of the same slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive (known as xDrive in BMW marketing speak) is optional on the 740i and standard on the rest of the lineup. No matter which of the car's drive modes you select, the suspension is pillowy soft and body control is in short supply. The 7-series has adequate cornering grip, but the suspension's moves in general—and the numb, light steering in particular—discourage their exploration.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The 745e plug-in hybrid model uses a 12.0-kWh battery pack located in the trunk and is said to provide up to 16 miles of electric-only driving. The pack can be recharged using 110-volt, 220-volt, or DC fast-charging systems, the latter two of which are the recommended ways to add juice quickly.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
If not for the thirsty 12-cylinder M760i, the 7-series lineup overall would have an impressive set of EPA fuel-economy ratings. The six-cylinder 740i and 750i both returned better-than-average fuel economy on our 200-mile real-world highway fuel-economy test route at 30 and 29 mpg, respectively.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
For decades, BMW's interior aesthetic has been serious and businesslike. That was acceptable when its cars were more about the serious business of driving. Lacking that ethos, the latest 7-series affords occupants the bandwidth to notice build quality, materials, and design that are merely average for this rich class. Sure, it's spacious, but so is every limousine in this class. Sure, it's luxurious, but one turn in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or even the Genesis G90, and you'll be left wanting more from a car that starts at more than $80,000. Volumetrically speaking, the BMW's trunk has competitors such as the CT6 and G90 licked. Its 18-cubic-foot trunk is at least two cubic feet larger than the trunks of those sedans, but the reality of packing it with real-world-size carry-on bags reveals a different outcome. We could only fit three of our carry-on suitcases inside the trunk of our 740i test vehicle whereas the others held twice as many.
Infotainment and Connectivity
BMW's iDrive infotainment system has long since moved beyond its early teething problems to become a straightforward, attractive interface. The latest version, dubbed iDrive 7.0, can be manipulated via touchscreen or a quick and intuitive control on the center console. Every 7-series offers two USB ports for front-seat passengers and four 12-volt plugs scattered throughout. Bluetooth is standard, and a Samsung tablet with a dock between the rear seats is optional, giving passengers remote access to some infotainment features. Apple CarPlay is standard; curiously, Android Auto isn't available.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Today's latest driver-assistance features are available or standard on every 7-series, from blind-spot monitoring to semi-autonomous self-steering highway cruise control. No 7-series, however, has been crash-tested by the two major safety outfits here in the U.S.; as a result, we cannot comment on its crashworthiness. Key safety features include:
- Standard low-speed automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
BMW's three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan—which is included on every 7-series—helps distinguish its otherwise class-average four-year or 50,000-mile limited-warranty coverage. Jaguar offers five years or 60,000 miles of complimentary maintenance with the purchase of a new XJ sedan and Black Label models of Lincoln's Continental come with four years or 50,000 miles of service.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
