2010 BMW 7-Series
- 2009 BMW 7-Series
- Used BMW 7-Series
Based on analysis of 28 7-Series reviews and test drives.
BMW 7-Series - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 BMW 7-Series ranks 5 out of 7 Super Luxury Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 28 published reviews and test drives of the BMW 7-Series, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The BMW 7-Series is the athlete of the super luxury class. A car for those who love to drive, it offers the handling balance of a sport sedan in the body of a luxury cruiser.
The BMW 7-Series was redesigned just last year, but the new car appeared fairly late in the year, so even some BMW loyalists aren't very familiar with the new design. It carries into 2010 unchanged.
It's been a critical hit. With balanced lines, it's a graceful looking car -- something that not many said about the previous-generation 7-series. Its sleek exterior houses an interior filled with advanced electronics and comfortable expanses of leather.
But the best seat in any BMW is the driver's seat, and the 7 is no exception. Technological advances like driver-adjustable chassis tuning and four-wheel steering make this the most athletic 4,500-pound luxury car on the market. Choosing one super-luxury car over another is now primarily a matter of taste. The BMW exudes an air of performance that most of its rivals don't match, but they're all extraordinary cars.
But competition in the segment is heating up. A new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, built for the 2010 model year, adds safety features this car doesn't have. A new Jaguar XJ due out later in the year may even challenge it athletically - and from early reports, it appears to be the best-looking car of the group.
For 2010, the 7-Series is offered in two trim levels - the 750i and long-wheelbase 750Li. The two are mechanically identical rear-wheel-drive cars powered by a direct-injection, twin-turbocharged V8. All-wheel drive may be an option on future versions of the car, but is not yet offered. A hybrid version is reportedly in development, but may not reach showrooms until 2010. If that appeals to you, you may want to investigate the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid and the Lexus LS hybrid, both of which are already in showrooms.
- "This latest, (mostly) all-new version comes to the U.S. in the spring of 2009 as a leading contender for the gold, reflecting the skills of the pentathlete with its unerring velocity, crisp footwork and quick reflexes, command of the elements, muscular elegance, and swift endurance. However, the large and lithe sedan also can do it all without breaking a sweat." - Motor Trend
- "If the last 7-series was BMW's best-selling 7-series ever, there's little doubt that this one will do even better. After all, it's vastly better looking and infinitely easier to use ...Until then, we can heave a sigh of relief that BMW has finally admitted -- without admitting anything at all-that the old 7-series was deeply flawed. And fixed the new one." -- Automobile Magazine
- "Yes, the new 7 is faster, nimbler and more fun than any plus-size sedan has a right to be. But with all due respect to the Bavarian engineering on display, that's almost an easy birdie on the BMW course. More surprisingly, the big BMW has ditched its misanthropic ways to embrace anyone in its rich presence." - New York Times
- "For those seeking flagship Bimmer luxury and technology, the company has revamped its top-dog BMW 7 Series for 2009. The fifth-generation 750i, as well as the 750Li version with its longer wheelbase, boast more electronic advancements-not to mention outright luxury-than any BMW ever." - Popular Mechanics
7-Series Performance - 9.4 (Excellent)
The 2010 BMW 7-Series outperforms a class full of extraordinary performers. Its advanced twin-turbo V8, some say, is quicker and more refined than many larger powerplants. Its unique driver-adjustable chassis control system allows owners to choose how sporty they'd like their 7 to be each time they drive - something matched only by the Audi A8 at this price point. And its four-wheel steering system is utterly unique. "Enveloped in perhaps the quietest car cabin ever devised, our all-day traverse in a long-wheelbase 750iL on narrow, winding roads and unlimited autobahn was a revealing showcase of the car's multilayered virtuosity," writes Motor Trend. Read More
7-Series Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)
The redesigned 7-Series has been on the road since late in the 2009 model year, but reviews still have trouble discussing its appearance without first registering their dislike of its predecessor. This car comes across as beautiful if only because it replaces the awkward-looking previous 7-Series. This current car's thinner profile is defined by subtle lines that give it a richness many find stunning. It's a car that rewards long looks. "This new design direction is best seen up close and in person-there are many sheetmetal subtleties that photos just cannot capture," according to Popular Mechanics. Read More
7-Series Interior - 9.0 (Excellent)
No super-luxury car features an average interior, but the cabin of the 7-Series is definitely more luxurious for drivers than for passengers. With a center stack canted toward the driver's seat and an advanced suite of electronics at the driver's disposal, the 7-Series effectively cocoons the driver. Few amenities are lacking. "This is one of the most technologically advanced cars in the world," says Motor Trend. Reviewers repeatedly say that a new version of BMW's long-maligned iDrive controller, debuting in this car, is actually easy to use. Read More
7-Series Safety - NA
The 2010 BMW 7-Series has not been crash tested by either the federal government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. That isn't unusual with cars at this price point. If the car's safety equipment list is any indication, it should do very well in all tests. The 7 includes every modern safety system, including some new safety features BMW has developed just for this car. Read More
7-Series Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2010 BMW 7-Series reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). BMW's Ultimate Service agreement gives buyers a comprehensive four-year/50,000-mile warranty that includes all scheduled maintenance at no cost for the same period. Roadside assistance is complimentary for the warranty period as well. Read More
