2023 BMW 7-Series

Overview

An entirely new generation of the 7-series, long BMW's flagship sedan and the brand's most luxurious and advanced product, has debuted for the 2023 model year. The formula doesn't change much from the current car's: powertrains include a turbocharged inline-six and a twin-turbo V-8, with a plug-in hybrid joining the lineup later. On our initial test drive, we found that the 7-series veritably floats down the road. Its handling is a little lither than the 2022 car's thanks to some changes to the chassis and suspension, including a new rear-wheel steering system. Its driver-assistance tech provides a hands-free driving mode for highway slogs but the car's showstopping feature is an optional 31.3-inch rear entertainment display called Theater Screen that drops from the ceiling and streams TV and movies using the onboard Wi-Fi system.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

1

Mercedes-Benz S-class

STARTING AT: $115,650

2

Genesis G90

STARTING AT: $90,100

3

Audi A8

STARTING AT: $88,895

4

Audi S8

STARTING AT: $121,595

5

BMW 7-series

STARTING AT: $96,695

6

Lexus LS

STARTING AT: $78,035

What's New for 2023?

The 7-series has been completely redesigned for the 2023 model year and offers an even plusher cabin, more futuristic technology, and bolder exterior styling.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The 740i will run BMW's sweetly silken inline-six and is offered only with rear-wheel drive. We expect most buyers will find this version more than suitable, but for those wanting all-wheel drive or extra horsepower, there's the 760i xDrive, which comes with a twin-turbo V-8. If you plan to be chauffeured in your new 7-series, we'd recommend both the Executive Lounge package (power-adjustable reclining rear seats with massage, among other luxuries) and the cool 31.3-inch Theater Screen rear-seat entertainment system which can stream content via the car's on-board Wi-Fi hotspot. An all-electric variant called i7 will be based on the same body shell; we review that model separately.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

A 375-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is standard—models with this engine are designated 740i—and is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system; rear-wheel drive is the only setup available on this model. BMW estimates that the 740i will run to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds. The 760i xDrive is powered by a 536-hp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and comes standard with all-wheel drive; this engine also uses a 48-volt hybrid system, and BMW claims it will rip to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. We were able to sample the 760i xDrive and noted its silky operation as well as powerful acceleration. The new car comes standard with an air suspension, and BMW has incorporated a rear-wheel steering system and adaptive dampers into the chassis as well. As a result, the new car feels more agile than the outgoing model but remains more focused on comfort than athleticism.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel economy estimates for the 740i are 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, but going with the V-8–powered and all-wheel-drive 760i xDrive drops those numbers to 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. When we get a chance to test the 7-series for ourselves, we'll take it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route and report its results here. For more information about the 7-series's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

As the pinnacle of the BMW lineup, the 7-series brings a cornucopia of luxuries to its occupants. Rich-smelling leathers, stainless steel accents, and fancy glass and wood trim elements give the 7-series's interior a posh vibe; buyers can even choose a new cashmere upholstery option, should it suit their personal aesthetic. The deluxe interior now has the technology, style, and opulence to better challenge the Mercedes-Benz S-class. Passenger space is generous in both the front and rear, but the 7-series impresses most when equipped with the Executive Lounge package, which adds power-adjustable reclining rear seats with massage, a wireless smartphone charging pad for the rear seat area, and adjustable neck cushions on the headrests. The trunk is about as large as you'd expect for a full-size luxury car and a rear-seat pass-through offers the ability to haul longer items like skis.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The 7-series uses the same dashboard layout as the iX SUV, which has a large digital gauge display mounted under the same glass panel as the infotainment touchscreen. The reconfigurable displays offer crisp resolution and snappy responses. The 7-series was originally offered with BMW's iDrive 8 infotainment software but has since offered a free over-the-air update to iDrive 8.5. A rear-seat entertainment system that BMW calls Theater Screen is optional; it utilizes a huge 31.3-inch display that deploys from the ceiling of the car. Using an onboard 5G cellular data connection, rear-seat riders can stream Netflix or browse the web, interacting with the system via touchscreen displays integrated into the door panels.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

A host of updated driver-assistance features are available, including a new hands-free driving mode for use on the highway and an updated parking assistant feature that allows the driver to exit the vehicle and park the car via a smartphone app. For more information about the 7-series'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

A three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance plan—included on every 7-series—is a perk rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz don't offer. Both the Volvo S90 and the Genesis G90 match BMW's complimentary maintenance plan, but the G90 comes with longer warranty terms.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

More Features and Specs