Review - BMW i7

Built as a battery-electric version of the almighty 7 Series limousine, the i7 range offers a no-compromises approach to premium motoring and a benchmark for future luxury EVs.

It’s a bold, uber-spacious and immaculately appointed electric vehicle that gives Rolls-Royce a run for its money and, with that in mind, let’s look at just how well the BMW i7’s luxurious nature has translated to Australian roads.

BMW i7 Competition

Starting Price: $306,900

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How Much Does It Cost?

The BMW i7 range is offered here in Australia in two main variants, with the entry-level i7 xDrive60 M Sport priced at $306,900, while the range-topping i7 M70 xDrive is priced at $344,900.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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BMW i7 (xDRIVE60 BEV) Specifications

What Features Does the BMW i7 Have?

BMW’s entry-level i7 xDrive60 comes riding on a set of 21-inch alloys and receives Crystal LED headlights, an illuminated front grille, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive suspension with active roll stabilisation, rear axle steering, leather/Merino wool and cashmere upholstery with heated, ventilated and massaging seats front seats, carbon fibre and CraftedClarity glass switchgear, automatic doors and adaptive cruise control.

On the tech front, the i7 xDrive60 picks up a 3D surround-view camera, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.9-inch infotainment display, adjustable ambient lighting, a massive 31.3-inch 8K theatre display in the rear and a 35-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround sound system.

Stepping up to the range-topping i7 M70 xDrive adds executive lounge seating with ventilated and massaging rear seats, as well as an M Sport tune for the suspension package.

Both i7 variants receive a third-gen BMW Wallbox to install at home and a five-year subscription to the Chargefox network of public fast chargers.

Range Features:

• 21-inch alloys

• Adaptive suspension with active roll stabilisation 

• Crystal LED headlights 

• Illuminated front grille 

• Panoramic sunroof

• Leather/Merino wool and cashmere upholstery 

• Heated, ventilated & massaging front seats 

• Carbon fibre & glass switchgear 

• 3D surround-view camera 

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

• 14.9-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 31.3-inch 8K theatre display 

• 35-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system 

• Executive lounge seating with ventilated, massaging rear seats (M70 xDrive)

• M Sport suspension tune (M70 xDrive)

Is the BMW i7 Comfortable to Drive?

The BMW 7 Series has always been an exceptionally comfortable vehicle and now, with its new battery-electric beating heart, the i7 takes things to a whole new level.

While purists may scoff, the reality is that a powerful and completely silent powertrain is the perfect match for the 7 Series platform, offering immense power and barely conceivable refinement.

BMW’s base i7 xDrive60 comes powered by a pair of electric motors that push out a combined 400kW of power and 745Nm of torque, offering a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds that gives thoroughbred sports cars a good run for their money.

Stepping up to the i7 M70 xDrive turns things up to ludicrous levels, with outputs of 485kW of power and a staggering 1015Nm of torque (with brief boosts up to 1110Nm) that help it tackle 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, meaning it’ll take down a full-blown supercar.

On the road, stomp on the throttle and the i7 pounces toward the horizon at what feels like light speed, with its ample and instantaneous torque helping you to tackle any target in sight.

Things get even more impressive in the corners thanks to the i7’s adaptive suspension and active roll stabilisation that offers remarkably flat handling in the corners and a generously plush ride when you’re simply bumbling around town.

The addition of rear-axle steering means that the i7’s turning circle is far more accommodating to tight streets than you might expect for a cruise ship-sized package.

When you’re puttering through town, the i7’s steering rack is user-friendly and particularly lightweight while parking, with BMW ensuring it beefs up the feedback as you hit more exciting speeds.

To wrap up, the BMW i7’s speed makes for a very bold first impression, while its versatility in the corners and ability to dial everything back and become an uber-comfortable limousine, as per the 7 Series brief, makes it one of the most impressive vehicles to drive on the planet.

How Far Can the BMW i7 Drive on a Single Charge?

The BMW i7 comes packed with a large 106kWh battery pack sitting underneath the floor that offers up to 656km of driving range on the WLTP test cycle per charge in the case of the base model xDrive60.

The pursuit of speed in the range-topping i7 xDrive60 brings its range figures down to 560km.

How Fast Can You Charge the BMW i7?

Charging the i7’s 106kWh battery pack, with the help of a DC fast charger reaching speeds of 195kW, brings the i7 from 10-80 per cent in a claimed 34 minutes.

Using an AC wall box at home offers a full charge in around 11 hours.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Calling the BMW i7 a practical and spacious car is almost an insult to the company’s team of designers.

Instead, we’d confidently label it the most practical and spacious electric vehicle currently in existence, setting an extremely high standard for the upcoming electric Rolls-Royce that is soon to hit the market.

Obviously, a vehicle designed as an executive limousine isn’t going to be lacking in space, but the sheer levels of opulence in both the front and rear of the i7’s cabin make it a joy to sit inside.

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a super high-tech cockpit filled with carbon fibre, metallic and glass highlights that smother everything from the dash, centre console to the door surrounds.

Even the tallest of drivers won’t have an issue inside the i7, while the endless levels of adjustment for the seats and the added bonus of a massage setting mean you can easily chew up thousands of kilometres.

It’s not all for show, either, with the i7 receiving a substantial centre console with healthy storage inside, added storage and cup holders behind the gear selector dial and some decent-sized door bins.

Move to the rear and the i7’s long-wheelbase platform offers acres of legroom and even a button that moves the front seat forward enough to fully stretch your legs atop the built-in leg rests and enjoy a movie.

Did we mention there’s a 31.3-inch 8K display for rear passengers? That’ll surely keep the kids entertained on long holiday road trips.

Finally, the BMW i7 has a boot measuring in at 500L so you’ve got a healthy amount of cargo storage potential and acres of space inside the cabin of the world’s (current) most spacious electric vehicle.

Is it Safe?

The BMW i7 is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, though to sweeten the deal, BMW is happy to bundle every bit of active safety gear currently in existence with the i7.

That means you’ll find forward and reverse autonomous braking, evasion, steering and lane control assistants, a parking and automated manoeuvre assistant, adaptive cruise control, a 3D surround-view monitor, front & rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alerts and a heap more as standard.

Our Verdict: Is the BMW i7 Worth it?

If your budget allows you to get behind the wheel of the BMW i7, we wouldn’t second guess it for a second.

The i7 is, without a doubt, the most luxurious electric vehicle currently on sale here in Australia, made even more impressive by the fact it can handle like a sports car in the corners and glide home when you’re done being silly.

If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a more affordable but still impressive electric vehicle, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying specialists who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. Eight-year/160,000km battery warranty 

3. Dual-motor, all-wheel drive system 

4. No official ANCAP safety rating

5. Five-year Chargefox subscription & Wallbox bundled with purchase