However, we were underwhelmed by the screen because there isn’t much content you can run on it that can take advantage of the width. Beyond BMW’s own demo videos, most TV series and films will have to be watched with massive black bars on either side, meaning each rear-seat passenger will need to turn their heads a fair way to see the content properly.
If you look straight ahead, the bezel of the screen unit itself is directly in your eye line. Two smaller screens may look less impressive but are far more practical, so you might be better off choosing the far cheaper option of tablet holders.
You can also upgrade to the Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound system, which is available either in the Technology Plus pack (£5,775) or – wait for it – the near £30,000 Ultimate Pack. Also as part of this ‘everything, including the kitchen sink’ package is a hi-fi upgrade. Its sound quality is hugely impressive, giving a home cinema experience.
Otherwise, there’s every piece of modern connectivity and functionality you would expect from a premium manufacturer’s flagship model.
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Practicality, comfort & boot space
The BMW i7 is supremely comfortable, whether your journey is in the front seats or the rear ones
Given its intended market, the BMW i7 is large, spacious and very comfortable – and can be made all the more so with the addition of either the Rear Comfort Pack or the Executive Pack, the latter turning the i7 into something akin to a living room on wheels.
Size
The BMW i7 is a large car at 5,391mm long, 1,950mm wide and 1,544mm tall. To put it into perspective, that compares with a Mercedes EQS at 5,216mm, 1,926mm and 1,512mm. Step down a class, and the current BMW 5 series measures 5,060mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,515mm tall.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The BMW i7 is a supremely comfortable place in which to spend time. For rear seat passengers, the experience can be made all the more lavish by specifying either the £5,250 Rear Comfort Pack or the £11,025 Executive Pack. The former brings heated, massaging and multi-functional rear seats, whereas the latter provides the full luxury experience: executive lounge seating turns the i7 into a four-seater, with reclining seats and the ability to move the front passenger seat out of the way.
Boot space
With 500 litres of boot space, the BMW i7 should be more than capable of carrying the sort of luggage required by a luxury limousine. The i7 loses some practicality points against the Mercedes EQS, because that rival not only has 610-litres of luggage capacity, but it has a wider opening hatchback tailgate that’ll enable it to swallow taller items compared with the restrictive saloon tailgate of the i7.
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Reliability & safety
The i7 hasn’t been NCAP tested, but it should do well considering all the safety assistance technology it has
The BMW i7 wasn’t included in the latest 2024 Driver Power ownership satisfaction survey, but the BMW brand scored a reasonable 14th place out of 32 manufacturers, with some clear distance between 25th-place Mercedes and 27th-place Audi. Owners praised the powertrains, infotainment system, ride and handling, safety features, and reliability of their BMWs. Running costs came in for some criticism, though.
The i7 (or the BMW 7 Series, upon which the i7 is closely related to) hasn’t been given aEuro NCAP rating yet, but with a very comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety technology, it should be a very safe choice. If you are looking for a luxury electric car with an NCAP score, consider looking at the Mercedes EQS, which received the maximum five out of five-star rating in 2021.
Warranty
The BMW i7 benefits from a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, with the battery receiving a separate eight-year or 100,000 miles warranty, whichever comes first. You’ll also get three years of roadside assistance coverage included.
Servicing
Servicing for the BMW i7 is required every 24 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. BMW offers an inclusive service programme, which covers a minimum of the first four years of the car’s life for an upfront contribution. In addition, servicing can be paid for by a monthly fee, which in the case of the i7 is a reasonable £17.99 per month, compared to the 7 Series, which costs £30.99 per month.
