Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The 7 Series is so smooth that full days behind the wheel are not taxing. After spending 350 high-speed miles in a BMW 745i, we were ready for 350 more. Heck, we were ready to take it home. It's very comfortable in heavy traffic. Few luxury sedans can keep up with the 7 Series at high speeds, and it's easy to drive this car well. And the interior is sumptuous.
None of the 7 Series models offer all-wheel drive, which is available on both of its most direct competitors: the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8. Yet this BMW is soaked with cutting-edge automotive technology, and with it all there's a steep learning curve. Owners should prepare themselves for serious reading time with the owner's manuals. You'll need to explain even the most basic operations (like starting) to anyone else who drives their car. The 7 Series may be ahead of its time, or it may simply be beyond the effort many buyers are willing to invest.
Of course, there's always help from the dealership. Have the BMW store set all the gizmos, sit down and drive, and the annoyances will be reduced. If you embrace its styling, any of the three 7 Series models will do. Dynamically, this may be the best car in the class. And that's no small feat, given that the competition includes some of the best cars in the world.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Luxury Cars |
| Editor |
Mitch McCullough |
| Model Lineup |
745i ($68,500); 745Li ($72,500); 760Li ($115,800) |
| Engines (standard) |
4.4-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) |
325-hp 4.4-liter dohc 32-valve V8; 438-hp 6.0-liter dohc 48-valve V12 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual frontal airbags, dual front knee airbags, dual front side-impact airbags, Head Protection System full cabin curtain-style airbags, front safety belts with automatic height adjustment, tensioning and force limiters, automatic-locking retractors for all safety belts for child-restraint seats, anti-lock brake system, Dynamic Brake Control, electronic brake proportioning, traction control, Dynamic Stability Control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
rear side-impact airbags, active head restraints |
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-334-4BMW |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$68,500 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
BMW 745i ($68,500) |
| Standard Equipment |
dual-zone automatic climate control with activated-charcoal microfilter ventilation; leather upholstery with microperforated seating surfaces; matte-finish Black Cherry genuine wood trim; iDrive system with GPS navigation, on-board computer, climate controls and audio controls, , BMW Assist emergency communications; power two-way moonroof with key-off and one-touch operation; keyless entry with selective unlocking; dual power heated auto-dimming folding outside mirrors with automatic right-side tilt-down for reverse; universal garage door opener; enhanced interior lighting system; locking glovebox with removable rechargeable flashlight; leather power tilt/telescope steering wheel with programmable fingertip cruise, audio and phone controls; climate-controlled front console compartment with coinholder, trunk-release lockout, illumination, and phone headset; AM/FM/CD audio with 10 speakers |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
rear door-mounted side-impact airbags ($385); premium audio system with 13 speakers, DSP, 6-disc in-dash CD changer and 2 subwoofers ($1800); Front Comfort Seats ($1400) with 20-way power adjustments, articulated upper backrests, passenger-seat memory, active head restraints with adjustable side support; Park Distance Control with graphic display ($700); 19-inch alloy wheels ($1300) |
| Destination Charge |
695 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$74,780 |
| Horse Power |
325 @ 6100 |
| Torque |
330 @ 3600 |
| Fuel Economy |
18/26 |
| Wheelbase |
117.7 |
| Length/Width/Height |
198.0/74.9/58.7 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
39.8 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.2/59.3/41.3 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.5/58.7/37.2 |
| Trunk Volume |
18 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent |
| Rear Suspension |
independent |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
4376 |
| Stock Tires |
245/45WR19 / 275/40WR19 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Dynamic Brake Control, electronic brake proportioning |
| Fuel Capacity |
23.3 |