The BMW 7-Series sits at the top of the food chain when it comes to sedans from the automaker. The 2018 BMW 7-Series is the second model year for the six-generation of the sedan and is available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant. Technology and luxury have always been strong points for the 7-Series and the 2018 model continues to carry the torch when it comes to those two fields.
What's New for 2018
BMW hasn't changed a lot on the 7-Series for 2018. Besides some renaming and restructuring of packages, the luxury sedan carries on mostly unchanged.
Choosing Your BMW 7-Series
Getting into a 7-Series is a lot easier choosing between some of its other models, as there's only one body style for the 7-Series – a lengthy sedan. BMW doesn't make an M-badged variant of the 7-Series, but it does sell the Alpina B7, a more powerful and luxurious – if you can believe that – version of the sedan, which is covered separately. Power wise, the 7-Series is available with four powertrains and six trims, though two of those just add all-wheel drive over their rear-wheel-drive counterparts.
Regardless of what trim you go with, the 7-Series comes with adaptive LED headlights, automatic high beams, LED fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, and an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. On the inside, standard features for the luxurious sedan include 14-way power front seats, four-zone climate control, a panoramic moonroof, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, ambiance lighting, Dakota Leather upholstery, Fineline Wood trim, a black panel center console with brushed aluminum, and touch-sensitive controls.
In addition to doing luxury really well, the 7-Series is a tech-forward sedan. Every trim comes with a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system, enhanced USB and Bluetooth, a rear-view camera, a 10.2-inch high-resolution screen, gesture control, a 12.3-inch dynamic digital instrument cluster, dynamic cruise control, park distance control, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi hot spot.
The base engine in the 740i and 740i xDrive sedans is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six that generates 320 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 740i is rated by the EPA to get 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, which results in a combined rating of 24 mpg. The 740i xDrive, which brings BMW's all-wheel-drive system to the sedan, understandably, isn't as efficient as its rear-wheel-drive counterpart. The all-wheel-drive version is rated to get 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway and has a combined rating of 23 mpg.
The 740e xDrive iPerformance is the next step up and is the hybrid offering in the 7-Series lineup. The trim features a 2.0-liter twin-turbo inline-four-cylinder engine that gets some additional power from an electric motor and a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Combined output for the hybrid powertrain is rated to be 322 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The 740e xDrive is the most efficient 7-Series with a rating of 64 MPGe and a combined rating of 27 mpg. 

Making the move to the 750i and 750i xDrive sedans brings a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that cranks out 445 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque to the vehicle. The rear-wheel-drive variant is capable of getting 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway – a combined rating of 20 mpg. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces fuel economy ratings to 16/25/19 (city, hwy, combined). 

The M760i xDrive is the closest, besides the Alpina of course, consumers can get to an M-badged 7-Series. The range-topping trim comes with a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 that's good for 601 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The M760i xDrive is at the bottom of the spectrum when it comes to fuel efficiency with a rating of 13 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, which gives the sedan a combined rating of 16 mpg.
The 7-Series’ lineup is split between rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variants. The 740i and 750i have rear-wheel drive as standard and have versions that come with all-wheel drive for an additional $3,000. The 740e xDrive iPerformance and M760i xDrive trims are exclusively available with all-wheel drive.
Once you’ve chosen what kind of drivetrain you want, the next step is to select from roughly 10 optional packages that can be added onto the sedan. For the most part, the entire 7-Series lineup shares a lot of the same available packages. The 750i and M760i xDrive have a few bespoke features that aren’t offered on other trims.
The most affordable combination of features is the Cold Weather Package that costs $400 and adds a heated steering wheel and front and rear heated seats, because those aren't standard on a $84,000 sedan. With the 7-Series’ lengthy body, springing for the second most affordable package, the $700 Parking Assistance Package, is a smart idea, as it brings surround view cameras and BMW's parking assistant.
For drivers that want some more safety features, the $1,700 Driving Assistance Package is a good buy, bringing active driving assistant, which includes lane departure warning, frontal collision warning, city collision mitigation, and pedestrian detection. Active blind spot detection and a head-up display are also included with the package.
For an additional $1,700, drivers can opt for the Driving Assistance Plus Package that brings even more safety features to the 7-Series. Driving assistant plus is included in the package, which includes active cruise control with stop and go, collision mitigation, and everything from active driving assistant. Other pieces of tech that are added with the package include traffic jam assistant, which can take control of the vehicle in bumper-to-bumper traffic and active lane keeping assistant with side collision avoidance.
So far, the majority of packages have altered the amount of tech features on the 7-Series, but BMW does offer optional extras to make the sedan’s interior even more luxurious. The first of which is the $1,800 Interior Design Package allows consumers to choose from seven different interior trims, three alcantara headliners, and brings a grab handle in wood trim, luxury floor mats, a rear center armrest with wood trim, and a rear seat belt cover in wood trim.
Adding the Executive Package, which costs $3,300 brings multi-contour seats, a power rear sunshade, rear side window shades, black ceramic touches, and ventilated front seats.
Going with the Luxury Rear Seating Package costs $3,900 and requires consumers to get the $3,300 Executive Package. So if you want to add some luxury to the rear seats, you'll actually wind up paying $7,200. The package brings a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, heated front and rear armrests, rear massaging seats, rear comfort seats, and ventilated rear seats.
If you really want to turn your 7-Series into something that rivals a private jet for the road, the BMW Individual Composition package that costs $7,100 is the way to go. Opting for the package, though, requires you to get the Driving Assistance Package, Driving Assistance Plus Package, Executive Package, and the Luxury Rear Seating Package. Opting for the package, then, raises the car's price up by $17,700. There's more bad news, as a lot of the features that consumers are required to choose from cost more money. 

With the package, consumers can choose from between four exterior colors, which cost an additional $1,950. There are five upholstery options (four of these cost an extra $5,500), three different trims, all of which cost an extra $1,080, and two alcantara headliners. No-cost features that come with the package include door sill finishers and a bespoke leather steering wheel with fine wood trim.
With tech and luxury features covered, the last couple of packages are directed towards consumers that want a sportier feel out of their 7-Series. The $3,400 M Sport Package adds some sporty touches to the 7-Series including 11 different exterior paint schemes, some of which come at a hefty $1,950 premium. There are three different wheel choices – two are 19-inch options, while 20-inch wheels are an additional $1,300. On the inside, there are eight trims to explore and three headliners to choose from – two are alcantara. The last thing that the package adds is a full-body aerodynamic kit.
Lastly, the $4,100 Autobahn Package is one of the more expensive options and brings integral active steering, which allows the rear wheels to move to give the large sedan a more maneuverable chassis, and active comfort drive with road preview. The last piece of tech allows cameras to provide the dynamic damper control system with a look at road irregularities to provide for a more comfortable ride.
740i
The base 7-Series is the 740i that comes with the 320-hp a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six. The trim starts at $84,095 (including destination). Ticking off a lot of the boxes for the available packages, though, can quickly raise the price of the entry-level 7-Series to seven-figure digits.
Notable optional features on the trim include $1,000 front massaging seats, a $900 panoramic sky lounge LED roof, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system that costs $3,400, and night vision with pedestrian detection, which costs $2,300.
740 xDrive
Stepping up to the hybrid 740e xDrive costs $91,695. The sedan features a twin-turbo 2.0-liter inline-four and an electric motor for a combined output of 322 hp. The hybrid has the same available packages as lower end models.
750i
Making the jump to the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that cranks out 445 hp costs $97,395. While the 750i comes with a lot of the same available packages, they have some subtle differences. The Driving Assistance Package costs $900, instead of $1,700, and doesn't come with a head-up display. 

The M Sport Package costs $3,000, which is a $400 decrease from lower trims. Despite the price difference, the 750i adds a M Sport exhaust system in addition to all of the same features.
Another difference can be found with the Executive Package that’s priced at $3,200, which is $100 lower than on other trims, and trades multi-contour seats for front massaging seats.

The 750i adds an available Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package that costs $5,750. The package adds electric reclining seats and footrests, a rear-seat entertainment system, and an executive lounge rear center console.
M760i xDrive
The range-topping M760i xDrive is priced at $157,695. The trim brings a 601- hp 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 to the sedan. The model has some bespoke changes to its optional packages.
The BMW Individual Composition costs $5,600 and locks consumers into getting the Luxury Rear Seating Package that is priced at $1,800. All in, the BMW Individual Composition raises the sedan's price tag by $7,400. Similarly to other trims, the package allows consumers to pick from four paint schemes, six upholsteries, three interior trims, and two headliners.
The Luxury Rear Seating Package is priced at $1,800 and brings a heated steering wheel, front and rear heated seats, front and rear heated armrests, as well as rear massaging seats.
CarsDirect Tip
For a sedan that starts above $80,000, it's mind-boggling to see heated seats as an optional extra. As a high-tech luxury sedan, the base 740i and 740i xDrive have a good amount of standard features and loads of options to choose from. Keeping things simple is key, as the sedan can easily crest the $100,000 mark. The Cold Weather Package is a must, as is the Parking Assistance Package. Regardless of what 7-Series you choose, strap in and relax, because you're in for a luxurious ride.
You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but the 2018 BMW 7-Series is a leader on the road. It has it all: cutting-edge tech, luxury to spoil a prince, and a chassis package that stays true to BMW’s driver-centric core. This is a segment of heavy hitters – the 7-Series is up against traditional rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8, plus offerings from luxury marques like Porsche and Maserati. The 2018 7-Series is still a compelling option, mostly because of the sheer number of things it does well.
Best Value
It feels odd to talk about value for a car whose buyers will largely sit in the back, but here we are. Most 7-Series models bear the base engine, a 3.0-liter unit producing a more-than-adequate 320 horsepower, and we think that’s a good thing. The 740e’s hybrid powertrain boosts efficiency, but not by enough to justify the 500-pound weight penalty. And while the 760i’s fire-breathing V12 is mighty, the 7-Series doesn’t seem like the type to get in drag races.
The 740i it is then, preferably with BMW’s xDrive system for all-weather capability. The car is high-tech and sumptuous from the get go – leather upholstery, Harmon Kardon audio, automatic four-zone climate control, a WiFi hotspot, and gesture control. The Cold Weather Package is a good addition (heated seats not being standard is a surprise), as is the Driving Assistance Plus Package for the full suite of safety technology. We’d call it a day at that point, but if you felt the need for more luxury you could take the money you saved and put it into either the Executive Package (if you sit in the front) or the Luxury Rear Seating Package (if you sit in the rear).
Options: Cold Weather Package ($400, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats), Driver Assistance Plus Package ($1,700, lane keeping assist, cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control), Driver Assistance Package ($1,700, head-up display, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning), Executive Package ($3,300, front ventilated seats, multi-contour seats, Nappa leather finish, ceramic controls, power rear sunshade and rear side window shades)
Base Price: $87,095 (including the $995 destination charge)
Best Value Price: $94,195
Performance
The newest generation 7-Series didn’t put all its technology in the cabin. BMW’s Carbon Core construction keeps things stiff, while shaving over 120 pounds and preserving a 50/50 weight distribution. All that adds up to a car with a sense of confidence on the road. Even the base engine will get a 740i to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which will be plenty for most drivers. The V12 will tempt those who like a little spectacle, and it drops that time to a blazing 3.6 seconds.
It’s the middle two options, the 740e and the 750i, that feel like the misfits. The 740e is a nice gesture toward efficiency, but it doesn’t go far enough in either direction. The 23-mile electric-only range is easy to squander, and true diesels and hybrids still manage better mileage overall. The 750i’s V8 is a competent engine, but it seems a little redundant – the V6 is already a solid performer, and the V8 is neither as efficient as the hybrid nor as fast as the V12.
Style
The 2018 7-Series is elegant, but it’s more on the subdued end of the spectrum. The double-kidney grille is bigger than usual, and the beltlines wrap pleasingly around to taillights linked by chrome. The interior is where the action is – leg room fit for the NBA, fold-out tray tables, and more screens and displays than you’ll know what to do with.
Still, it’s hard to call the 7-Series flashy. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it's stately enough to be likable. But in a class where half the battle is looking the part, competitors may arrive with more panache.
The Best and Worst Things
Marrying top-level comfort with driving dynamics is no easy task, and BMW does it as well as anyone. We just wish the 7-Series took a few more risks to separate itself from the pack.
Right For? Wrong For?
The 7-Series is perfect for the executive who still likes to step behind the wheel from time to time. It has all the latest tech and the interior won’t disappoint, but it’s still a blast on an ocean-view cruise.
But for those who value the image as much as the machine, the 7-Series may resonate less. It can’t quite match the dignity of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or the athleticism of a Porsche Panamera. It’s as capable a machine, but it feels as though it has just a tad less identity.
The Bottom Line
BMW redefined luxury sedans by bringing driving dynamics to the forefront, and in an odd way the 2018 7-Series still carries that torch. Parts of BMW’s lineup have grown bigger and softer, but the 7-Series (which was always big) retains a sporty edge. Combined with the level of polish in the cabin, this makes it a tempting package. The competition is worth a look, but a bit of excellence hiding in plain sight lurks in the BMW 7-Series.
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