2021 BMW 7-Series

Pros: Outstanding ride quality; limousine-like rear-seat legroom; incredibly well finished, luxurious cabin; loads of high-tech optional features available

Cons: Steep prices get steeper as options are added; lots of gadgetry makes for some complicated controls

CG Says: The 2021 BMW 7-Series add standard heated front seats/armrest/steering wheel and a driver recorder. The in-dash CD player has been deleted. The 7-Series’s structure features aluminum and carbon fiber for weight savings and improved rigidity. The 740 models have a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine; the 750 has a 523-hp turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The line-topping M760i is powered by a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 with 601 hp. The high-performance Alpina B7 has a 600-hp turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. BMW says the Alpina B7 is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a 205-mph top speed. There is also a 740e xDrive plug-in hybrid model; it combines a turbocharged 3.0-liter turbo six engine with an electric motor for a combined 389 hp. As expected, a plethora of luxurious features is standard, such as power-closing doors, a hands-free power trunk lid, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, Wi-Fi Internet capability, wireless device charging, and adaptive air suspension. The optional Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview system uses a camera to detect changes in the oncoming road surface and adjusts the suspension accordingly. Remote Controlled Parking allows the driver to move the car in or out of a parking spot while standing outside the vehicle. Extended Traffic Jam Assistant that can steer, brake, and accelerate at speeds up to 40 mph, provided the driver’s attention is on the road. Available luxury features include heated armrests on the doors; an air ionizer that emits one of eight perfume scents; and a Touch Command Tablet for rear-seat passengers that offers driving information, various seat and infotainment controls, and Internet access via the car’s Wi-Fi system. In any of its forms, 7-Series is a technological tour de force that boasts a formidable array of ultra-luxurious features and cutting-edge gadgetry. It’s a compelling competitor in its class—particularly against its primary rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.