2021 BMW 7 Series

The 2021 BMW 7 Series can be had in two trims: the 740i and the 750i. The base 740i is powered by an Inline-6 power plant and is very well-equipped for a car at this price. Along with all the expected amenities, BMW loads the 740i with some of the most advanced driver-assistance features along with craftsmanship that is unbeatable for the price. The 750i builds on the 740i and adds a bigger engine along with some improvements to the powertrain and upgraded leather seats. 

With a long list of standard features, BMW also offers many packages for the 7 Series with the most prominent ones being the Autobahn package, Luxury Rear Seating package, and the Driving Assistance Professional package. These packages include features such as Rear-wheel steering, Upgraded adaptive suspension, Adaptive cruise control, Power-adjustable ventilated rear seats, Massaging rear seats, and a Rear-mounted tablet for control media.

Which Trim Should You Buy?

Since the 750i is basically a more souped-up variant of the 740i in terms of comfort and luxury, it is worthwhile to upgrade to the same due to the more powerful engine and a standard AWD system that vastly improves the driving dynamics of the big luxury sedan. Also, the option for the Autobahn package will be a very good choice so as to get the mobility of rear-wheel steering, an essential for the size of the 7 Series.

The 2021 BMW 7 Series does a decent job when it comes to the fuel economy department. The EPA ratings read 20 MPG for the city, and 28 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 23 MPG from a 20.6-gallon fuel tank. The fuel tank size is comparatively small and does take a hit in the range. The sedan manages to offer 412 miles in the city, 576 miles on the highway, and 473 miles combined on a full tank of gas. 

The BMW 7 Series has few impressive mileage figures when compared to its rivals, but the range takes a hit due to the smaller tank. The Lexus LS 500 does a better job in terms of mileage and range as it also offers 23 mpg combined but due to its bigger fuel tank than BMW, it offers a range of 412 miles in the city, 651 miles on the highway, and 499 miles combined.

One will be mesmerized by the interior as soon as s/he enters the cabin due to the impeccable craftsmanship on display. The use of high-quality materials is common practice in this segment, and the 7 Series stands up to it. Even the base 740i trim feels premium with its upscale materials. The doors and the dashboard are so streamlined that it looks like one single piece. The two-tone interior throughout the car looks beautiful, which is made more beautiful by the small bits and pieces of wooden trims. 

The center console has a lot of buttons with the infotainment system integrated into the dashboard. Leather seats are standard with Sensatec leather upholstery available in three colors, namely Canberra Beige, Cognac Perforated, and Black Perforated. Along with this, there are Dakota leather upholstery and optional Nappa leather upholstery that add to the MSRP. The front seats are cushioned and are very comfortable. The bolstering on the seats makes it look sporty as well. Towards the rear, legroom is abundant. The rear seats are also cushioned and comfortable for long rides. 

The BMW 7 Series is a winner when it comes to the interior passenger space as well as the cargo space. The rivals are not too far behind in this aspect, but the roominess in the Genesis is a bit more than the Bimmer, and that of the Porsche is unknown. Lexus takes a hit here as it offers the least cargo space in the competition at 17 cubic feet. That being said, some of the standout interior features in the Bimmer’s luxurious cabin are:

• Heated front seats
• Automatic 4 zone climate control
• Heated sport steering wheel with power tilting, power telescoping, auto tilt-away
• Steering wheel memory
• Massaging seats
• Ambient lighting

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Coming to the infotainment system, the 2021 BMW 7 Series gets a 12.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The display is of excellent quality, and there is no screen glare issue even in bright sunlight. It is controlled by an iDrive touchpad controller that works like a laptop and includes a SiriusXM, AM, FM, HD satellite radio with seek and scan. It has Apple CarPlay but no Android Auto in its tech suite. 

Along with all that, this system also includes WiFi Hotspot connectivity and a dual-display rear media system that will keep the passengers entertained. The navigation system will help you to reach your destination and works perfectly fine. Finally, a 16 speaker Harman Kardon audio system with a 464W amplifier will take the party to the roads. Some standout infotainment features include:

• 12.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with multimedia support
• Wireless device charging
• iDrive touchpad controller
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system with a 464W amplifier
• Voice Recognition system
• Apple Carplay
• 4G LTE WiFi hotspot
• Satellite navigation system 
• Connected Drive service 
• Dual-display rear media system

One of the key factors of its exterior is the kidney grilles. The 2021 7 Series did not receive any drastic changes for its grille like the M4 but is definitely more upsized. The front and the rear headlamps were changed in the 2020 model year and are the same for this year as well. You can easily spot the difference between the base 740i trim and the 750i trim because of the different wheel sizes. The 750i trim comes in 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires. The LED projector headlamps add a mean look to the car. 

The BMW 7 Series has a longer wheelbase as compared to its rivals which explains why it has a good interior and cargo space. It is also one of the lightest cars out there. The Porsche Panamera, being a lighter car, feels smooth and nimble to ride. The Lexus LS 500, on the other hand, is the heaviest car in the segment. When comparing the ground clearance, Porsche stands lowest at 4.7 inches. Some of the features that stand out in the 7 Series are: 

• 18-inch V-spoke alloy wheels
• LED headlights with cornering function
• Active kidney grille
• LED DRLs and LED taillamps
• Split UV protected sunroof

The 2021 BMW 7 Series has not been crash-tested yet, and it never will be due to the high value and limited production it has. However, the inclusion of the latest driver assistant features and an aluminum body will help the car to score wonders in the crash tests. Some of the standard safety features of the 2021 BMW 7 Series include ABS, 8 airbags, traction control, 3 point rear center seat belts, and Perimeter/approach lights, while some of the highlighting ones are:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Frontal Collision Warning w/City Collision Mitigation
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Side-impact bars
• Adaptive brake lights
• Active Driving Assistant

2021 BMW 7 Series Vs 2021 Lexus LS 500

The Lexus LS 500 looks better and is one of the fan favorites in terms of its exterior design, all thanks to its signature chrome grille. However, the BMW 7 Series is rather subtle but is loaded with the best tech available in the market today. Pair this with the immaculate craftsmanship and sporty driving dynamics, and you have a very well-balanced car that can do it all - comfortable cruising and manic drifting. 

2021 BMW 7 Series Vs 2021 Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera is the most expensive in this segment, but for the price, it has a rather sluggish acceleration and the least cargo space when compared to BMW. Porsche does well in the gearbox department with their PDK, but the overall performance falls behind the Bimmer. The Bimmer has a bigger cabin with loads of room and is also more manageable around the city. 

2021 BMW 7 Series Vs 2021 Genesis G90

The Genesis G90 looks more appealing and futuristic than the Bimmer, but for the other factors, it is simply of no competition to the impeccable poshness that the Bimmer spoils you with. Adding to this is the performance and the bigger cabin along with a big cargo area that helps while planning for a long trip, making the BMW a better choice between the two.

The 2021 BMW 7 Series is a complete package with the latest techs and features with top-notch performance and exceptional handling. The exterior styling of the car may be controversial, but it has an excellent interior and cargo space that makes it practical while being highly luxurious. The ride quality of the car is also very good. So, if you are planning to buy the 2021 7 Series, then you have made the right choice.