2027 BMW i7
Overview
How do you make BMW’s 7-series flagship sedan even more luxurious? Try fitting it with an electric powertrain that doesn’t make a peep. That’s exactly what the 2027 BMW i7 has to offer. From its imposing presence to its world-class interior environs, everything about it screams premium. Inside, the i7 is a blend of Buckingham Palace and the Millennium Falcon, fusing traditionally opulent materials with bleeding-edge tech.
The 2027 i7 range will launch with two models: the 50 xDrive and the 60 xDrive. Both come with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive electric powertrain. As part of an extensive update this year, the i7 implements styling cues and improved battery and drive-motor tech from BMW’s latest Neue Klasse vehicles, resulting in faster charge times and an improved EPA-estimated driving range of up to 373 miles.
Expert Tip: The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the i7’s fiercest rival, also merging classically luxurious interior accommodations with ultra-modern tech. It’s worthy of a look if you’re shopping for ultra-high-end EV sedans.
What’s New for 2027?
The BMW i7 has been comprehensively reworked for the 2027 model year, now wearing revised styling and integrating technologies from the company’s Neue Klasse vehicle lineup. The i7’s front kidney grilles are now a bit slimmer, and the split-tier headlight design on last year’s model has been ditched in favor of a single-strip look. Around back, its taillights have been extended further into the center of the trunk lid, mirroring the rear-end design of the iX3 and i3.
Inside, the i7 gets a fully revamped tech suite, complete with a new 17.9-inch hexagonal infotainment screen and a width-spanning instrument cluster that projects vehicle information on a thin strip at the bottom of the windshield.
The i7 has also been overhauled under its sheet metal, now featuring a larger battery pack with better energy density than the prismatic cells found in last year’s car. Its electric motors have also been reworked and optimized for better packaging and efficiency.
C/D Expert Tip:
If this year’s model is largely unchanged and you’re comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it’ll cost less than buying new.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
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EV Motor, Power, and Performance
- EV Motors: 449-hp dual-motor, 536-hp dual-motor
- Drivetrain: all-wheel drive
No matter which model you choose, all i7s come with a dual-motor powertrain that grants all-wheel drive. The entry-level 50 xDrive makes 449 horsepower, while the top-dog 60 xDrive pumps out a total of 536 horsepower. When we drove the 2027 i7, we found it to offer a similarly smooth and plush experience as the gas-powered models, only with slightly quicker acceleration response.
0–60-MPH Times
- C/D-Estimated 60-mph Times: 4.8 seconds (50 xDrive), 4.1 seconds (60 xDrive)
In Comparison: The previous i7 we tested did the 60-mph sprint in 4.4 seconds. Even if the new model improves upon that time, it’s likely to remain slower than its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQS580 4Matic, which managed to hit the mile-a-minute mark in just 3.7 seconds.
Additional Research
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
- EPA Range: 344–373 miles
Under its revised sheet metal, the 2027 i7 uses a 113-kWh modular battery pack which features improved cylindrical cells that boast a 20-percent-higher energy density than before. This enables the new model to drive further and charge faster. EPA range figures for the new model are up to 373 miles for the 50 xDrive, and up to 362 miles for the 60 xDrive. Those figures are with the standard 20-inch wheels with summer tires, and opting for the all-season tires or the larger 21-inch wheels drops the estimates slightly.
The maximum charge rate is now 250 kW, and BMW claims that the i7 can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 28 minutes under optimal conditions on a DC fast charger. All i7s come with an NACS charge port as standard, in addition to an array of adapters for several other charger types.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
- EPA City Rating: 87–94 MPGe
- EPA Highway Rating: 88–96 MPGe
The EPA estimates the i7’s fuel economy as high as 94 MPGe city and 96 MPGe highway. Those figures are for the 50 xDrive model, and the 60 xDrive is slightly less efficient. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency. For more information about the i7’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: The i7, like its gas brother, takes the high road, offering comfortable leather seating with heat, ventilation, and 18-way power adjustments as standard. A variety of wood, metal, and carbon fiber trim materials are available to choose from. The i7 has a funky and futuristic steering wheel, which features spokes at 12 and 6 o’clock. It’s an objectively weird design, but the thumb cutouts make it comfortable to hold, and its touch-sensitive buttons are easy to reach.
Second Row: The i7’s rear seating is limo-like and cosseting, offering standard heat and individual climate control. The rear passenger compartment can also be optimized for chauffeur-driven travel with available massage and ventilation. The 7’s star feature, however, is the available rear-seat entertainment system featuring a large 31.3-inch 8K screen that drops from the ceiling and stretches across the entire rear passenger compartment.
Cargo Capacity: The i7’s trunk capacity is 18 cubic feet, giving up just one cubic foot to its gas-powered 7-Series doppelganger. The Porsche Taycan S has 14 cubic feet of luggage room. In our testing, the i7’s trunk held six carry-on suitcases.
Infotainment and Connectivity
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Source: www.caranddriver.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.