BMW I7
How it looks when you see on the street: The BMW I7 is the whole enchilada, a proper full size EV sedan that’s adding to the conversation. The long hood line and sculpted contours is head turning, and its bodacious form draws attention. One moment stands out in my week driving the BMW I7. I was creeping the car into a snug Manhattan parking garage. The vehicle’s safety systems warned me to watch my corners and edges. As I inched my way underground, several onlookers stood gazing at me enthralled by the arrival of the flagship luxury sedan.
How it makes you feel when you get in: The interior features on the BMW I7 is kid-in-the candy store for the screen generation that feels like going to the movies, down to the plush seats. Fixtures are shiny and sculpted. Backseat passengers get an 8K theater screen that comes with Amazon Fire capability, and there are 5.5 inch screens embedded in the passenger doors. Commands are best issued through voice, a system BMW has been steadily improving. Symphonic tones, mood-adjusting cinematic experiences and adjustable motions of shades create a true experience that goes above and beyond driving, where light both natural and infused shifts the way the car feels to the driver’s liking. The cinematic experience also diffuses outside noise.
How it drives: The I7 is all about the powerful flex and lives up to the brand’s tagline: “the ultimate driving machine.” It produces 536 horsepower and 549 pound feet of torque and it uses this power to sail along the road. It’s easy to maneuver its considerable proportions. On a fast charger, the battery bumps up from approximately 10 percent to 80 in about 35 minutes. Range is about 300 miles, give or take depending on wheels and climate. Several addition engine configurations are offered for the 2024 model year including the base model eDrive50 and the gussied-up flagship M70. Active driving assistant is optional and helpful for mindless highway driving.
Space for people and things: BMW stays true to full size dimension, and the backseat feels limousine like for passengers especially if the rear-executive seating package is added for $7k. Both driver and passenger can sprawl out in the front. The trunk space is slightly smaller than the gas-powered I7 counterpart.
How much does it cost: The optioned-up 2023 xDrive60 on 21-inch wheels I drove was $156,000. The base price for this model is $119,000.