Review of BMW i7 reveals a technical masterpiece

The electric BMW i7 M70 is fast, super luxurious and is a technical showcase on wheels.

The BMW i7 electric car.

Kicking back watching a movie is a great way to relax.

Imagine doing it on the way to work, school run or weekend sport.

That can be a reality in the BMW i7. It’s a tech showcase on wheels – complete with a “theatre” screen that folds down from the roof.

The mammoth electric saloon is a spectacular limousine with an equally large price tag. Having one in the driveway means parting with at least $324,000 – and that’s for the slower version. The i7 M70 we tested would set you back just under $365k.

Sit back and relax with the rear entertainment screen in the BMW i7.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: Spectacular, it was quite the behemoth.

GRANT: The 7 Series has always been the flagship. Yet this latest iteration has levelled up. Brand stalwarts would still be bewildered by the grille, but within the hulking silhouette it’s nothing short of magnificent.

KEL: Wow factor is off the Richter scale. Every time I drove the i7 I found something new. The fact you didn’t have to open the doors was just the beginning.

GRANT: One wouldn’t want to sully one’s hands. A connected app can be used to open the doors, while buttons inside do the same job. For the driver it will automatically open and close within certain key proximity.

KEL: Heated and ventilated seats are on my favourite features list, but no matter where you sat in the i7, there was also a massage function. I’m not sure if it gets much better?

GRANT: Well, it does. Primarily in the back seat which has “executive lounge” mode where the passengers can recline, the sunshades come up and the 31.3-inch 8K screen folds down.

KEL: My jaw dropped when that came down from the roof.

GRANT: Using hand gestures to change the stereo volume or answer a call seems almost old tech in the i7, which managed to surprise and delight every time we took the family for a spin.

The 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive is something special.

WHAT DID YOU LOVE?

KEL: Whisper quiet, the experience was luxury at its finest.

GRANT: The seats were cosseting with a combination of wool and cashmere, while the Bowers and Wilkins stereo delivered outstanding quality … surround sound at its finest with 35 speakers.

KEL: Getting the kids to school was a battle with the back seat entertainment.

GRANT: Using the iPhone-like screens on each door or the touch screen, users could access the built-in Amazon Fire to access Netflix or YouTube and the like – or go old-school and use a HDMI cable. There were also embedded cameras for online meetings.

Cabin features of the BMW i7 electric car.

WHAT DID YOU LOATHE?

KEL: The problem with dropping the screen was no rear vision. You had to rely on the side mirrors.

GRANT: Yes, a digital camera projection would fix that issue. Boot space is a reasonable 500 litres, but it’s thin and long, which meant one trip to the airport saw us only able to handle two large suitcases. A third case had to ride in back seat comfort.

KEL: Collectively everything is cool, although I think the automatic doors are a step too far. I just found them a waste of functionality and I was continually worried about them opening onto other vehicles.

GRANT: Finding your way through the tech labyrinth could also be challenging, and there were occasions where the i7 refused smartphone connection.

Quick off the mark, the BMW i7 M70 can reach 100km/h in less than four seconds.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: For a large sedan, I was surprised how fast and controllable it was in varying conditions.

GRANT: It’s currently BMW’s quickest electric vehicle. Use launch control and the 2.7-tonne beast will rip from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. That’s insane for a car of its magnitude.

KEL: Some of the artificial soundtracks were interesting. They changed with the modes and I found the sport options too loud and aggressive.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

GRANT: Vehicle soundtracks were provided by composer Hans Zimmer – he’s responsible for music in Hollywood blockbusters like Gladiator and The Lion King. Noises aside, the big i7 is a beautifully cosseting ride in all modes – albeit firmer in the sporty personas – and surprisingly lithe.

KEL: Parking was challenging with the size.

GRANT: There was one occasion where I had to do a 15-point turn, the 5.3m long body is a hefty footprint.

Big and imposing, the BMW i7.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: Packed with spectacular features, it’s hard to fathom everything within the i7. Even if I had the money to spend, our kids already have too much screen time. No doubt this kind of technology will be commonplace in the future but it doesn’t fulfil my family needs.

GRANT: It’s a Rolls-Royce (which is part of the BMW group) at half the price. Spectacular in all facets, buyers should factor a chauffeur into the price as the place to be is the back seat even though there is ample fun behind the wheel.