2019 BMW 7-Series

Is the BMW 7 Series a Good Car?

Yes, the BMW 7 Series is a terrific super luxury car. From the exterior to the interior and from top to bottom, this car lives up to its luxury title. It has muscular turbocharged engine options, a silky ride, and surprisingly sporty handling. That luxury continues inside the car too. In the front, a gesture-controlled infotainment system lets you adjust the volume and answer calls with a wave of your hand. In the back, even tall adults can stretch out in comfort and relax on the well-cushioned leather seats. A bevy of options and features are available to enhance comfort. Additionally, the 7 Series has one of the best predicted reliability ratings in its segment. 

Should I Buy the BMW 7 Series?

The 2019 BMW 7 Series sedan offers just about everything you could hope for in a top-of-the-line luxury vehicle. Blistering horsepower from powerful engine options? Check. Genteel road manners and a refined ride? Check. A fuel-efficient hybrid? Check. A blissful interior, abundant features, lavish rear-seat space, and a large trunk? Check, check, check, and check. It’s expensive, but that’s true of every car in this class. There are some great alternatives, however, so shopping around may be worth your time. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class manages to one-up the 7 Series in just about every area, including cost. Performance enthusiasts might prefer the Porsche Panamera, which drives more like a sports car than a large luxury sedan.

Compare the 7 Series, S-Class, and Panamera »

Should I Buy a New or Used BMW 7 Series?

The 2019 BMW 7 Series belongs to a generation that launched with the 2016 model year. BMW made a few formerly available driver assistance features standard for 2019. Given the rapid depreciation rate among super luxury cars, you might find an older model with similar features for less money. If you’re interested in the plug-in hybrid, the Alpina B7, or the M760i, you’ll need to stick with a 2017 model or newer.

To research some other models in this generation, check out our reviews of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 BMW 7 Series. If you decide an older model is right for you, check out our Used Car Deals page for the latest deals and incentives on used cars.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 BMW 7 Series »

We Did the Research for You: 19 Reviews Analyzed

To make our car rankings and reviews as consumer-oriented as possible, we do not rely on our personal opinions. Instead, we analyze hard data such as crash test results and reliability ratings, as well as the opinions of the automotive press. This BMW 7 Series review draws on 19 reviews and incorporates applicable research for all model years in this generation, which spans 2016 to 2019.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been reviewing cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our Best Cars team has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. We care about cars, but we care more about providing useful consumer advice. To ensure our impartiality, an independent party handles our advertising, and our editorial team doesn’t accept expensive gifts from automakers.

How Much Does the BMW 7 Series Cost?

The base 2019 BMW 7 Series, the 740i sedan, has a retail price of $83,650. That’s about average among super luxury cars. The BMW 750i starts at $96,950. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive is available in both vehicles for $3,000. The 740e iPerformance plug-in hybrid starts at $91,250, though available tax credits may help lower the cost.

Prices skyrocket when you move to the high-performance models. The Alpina B7 xDrive comes with a $139,350 price tag, and the M706i xDrive starts at $156,700. While expensive, that’s still less than what you’ll pay for the top-of-the-line trims in rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local BMW dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our BMW deals page.

BMW 7 Series Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: BMW 7 Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a leader among super luxury cars. Not only is it one of the few models available in several body types, including a sedan, convertible, and coupe, but it excels across the board, even outpacing the BMW. Both models have a lineup of robust engine options and an opulent, high-end cabin. However, the S-Class has a stronger base engine and even-more-lavish cabin materials. The Mercedes-Benz is the superior vehicle.

Which Is Better: BMW 7 Series or Porsche Panamera?

The Porsche Panamera excels on the road. It has several engine options, including numerous turbo and twin-turbo V6s and V8s, and it's one of the most fun-to-drive cars in the class thanks to its sharp steering and deft handling. But on-road performance isn't the Panamera's only strength. It has both a short-wheelbase and an executive body style, the latter of which adds about 6 inches of rear-seat legroom. All body types have extravagant cabins, though the BMW has a slight edge here for luxury. Both vehicles are excellent choices. The BMW is likely the better choice if you want a comfortable car with acres of space; the Porsche is a better pick if you place a high value on driving dynamics.

Compare the 7 Series, S-Class, and Panamera »

7 Series Interior 

How Many People Does the 7 Series Seat

The BMW 7 Series sedan seats up to five people, though the available executive-style back seat reduces that number to four. Leather upholstery and heated, 14-way power-adjustable front seats are standard. A heated steering wheel, 20-way power adjustable multi-contour front seats, ventilated and massaging front and rear seats, heated rear seats, and upgraded leather upholstery are available.

All seats are spacious and exceptionally comfortable, with the rear seats drawing particularly enthusiastic praise. Because of the 7 Series’ long-wheelbase design, rear passengers enjoy 44.4 inches of legroom. That’s far more space than rivals such as the Lexus LS and Jaguar XJ offer.

7 Series and Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connections on the rear seats.

7 Series Interior Quality

The 7 Series’ cabin is full of premium materials, with wood and leather pieces elevating the sense of luxury. For no extra cost, BMW even lets you choose between distinct Dakota leather colors and poplar, chestnut, and oak hand-finished wood trims. There are also many lavish customization options such as Nappa and Merino leather or anthracite and Alcantara trims. An in-cabin air purification system is available. Even by super luxury car standards, this vehicle delivers on the luxury front.

7 Series Cargo Space

The BMW 7 Series has an 18.2-cubic-foot trunk. That’s one of the largest in the class, eclipsing rivals such as the 2019 Audi A8 (12.5 cubic feet) and Jaguar XJ (15.2 cubic feet). The cargo pass-through makes it possible to stow longer items, while the standard power trunk lid makes loading luggage a breeze. Notably, the battery placement reduces the plug-in hybrid’s trunk space to 14.8 cubic feet.

7 Series Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

A wealth of state-of-the-art technology can be found in the 2019 BMW 7 Series, including qi-compatible wireless device charging and the BMW iDrive infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, voice and gesture controls, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a navigation system, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround-sound system.

The iDrive interface features crisp graphics and is generally easy to operate with smartphonelike pinch and swipe gestures. There’s also a touchpad controller and buttons mounted on the steering wheel, as well as a gesture recognition system that uses hand movements to adjust volume controls and answer incoming calls. Android Auto is not offered, though, and Apple CarPlay is a subscription service in this car that you'll have to renew and pay for after the complimentary first year.

Read more about interior »

7 Series Performance

7 Series Engine: Every Engine Size Imaginable

The 2019 BMW 7 Series offers five different turbocharged engines, ranging from a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid to a V12 powerhouse. A slick eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the lineup. Each powertrain, including the plug-in hybrid, makes enough power to propel you down the highway with ease. The transmission shifts neatly and without incident.

The base 740i features an inline six-cylinder engine that makes 320 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that make a combined 322 horsepower, and the 750i uses a 4.4-liter V8 engine rated at 445 horsepower.

Two sport-oriented models are also available. The Alpina B7 also uses a 4.4-liter V8 engine, but it produces an eye-popping 600 horsepower. Finally, the M760i has a muscular V12 that makes 601 horsepower. Both editions can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds.

7 Series Gas Mileage: Excellent Fuel Economy

Earning 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, the base 740i has some of the best fuel economy estimates in the class, easily surpassing the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Jaguar XJ. As you'd expect, fuel savings shrink with the more powerful engines. The 750i’s V8 earns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. On the other end of the spectrum is the V12 in the M760i, which gets 13/20 mpg city/highway.

The most fuel-efficient model in the 7 Series lineup is the 740e iPerformance plug-in hybrid. It has a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery and estimates of 64 MPGe or a combined 27 mpg with the gasoline engine. It’s also expected to run around 14 miles on electric power alone. While the EPA hasn’t yet rated the electric range for 2019, some reviewers anticipate a bump.

7 Series Ride and Handling: Agile and Serene

Among super luxury vehicles, comfort is the first order of the day, and the 7 Series delivers. Its well-tuned air suspension keeps the ride smooth as silk, and there are several available settings (called Active Comfort Drive) for adjusting the suspension even further. However, comfort is not this vehicle’s only strong suit. For a long-wheelbase sedan pushing 4,200 pounds (more in higher trims), the 7 Series is surprisingly agile. Its sharp steering and handling have even been compared to that of the Porsche Panamera. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive (called xDrive by BMW) is available.

Read more about performance »

7 Series Reliability

Is the BMW 7 Series Reliable?

The 2019 BMW 7 Series has an above-average predicted reliability rating of four out of five from J.D. Power.

BMW 7 Series Warranty

The 2019 BMW 7 Series comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. The Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class have the same coverage lengths.

Read more about reliability »

7 Series Safety

7 Series Crash Test Results

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has crash-tested the 2019 BMW 7 Series. This is common among super luxury cars.

7 Series Safety Features

The 2019 7 Series has several standard safety features, such as front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and BMW’s Active Driving Assistant, which includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. More safety features are offered through supplementary packages and include a surround-view parking camera, a head-up display, front cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, side collision avoidance, night vision assist, and the semi-autonomous Traffic Jam Assistant (which makes small steering adjustments in traffic).

Read more about safety »

7 Series Dimensions and Weight

The 7 Series is about 17.2 feet long and has a curb weight ranging from 4,195 to 5,128 pounds. 

Where is the 2019 BMW 7 Series Built?

BMW builds the 7 Series sedan in Germany.

Which BMW 7 Series Model Is Right for Me?

BMW offers the 2019 7 Series sedan in five trim levels: 740i, 750i, the plug-in hybrid 740e iPerformance, and the high-performance M760i and Alpina B7. Each trim features a different engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (xDrive) is available.

The entry-level BMW 740i is well-equipped, and most of the 7 Series’ available features can be had in any trim. Therefore, the best choice for you largely comes down to which engine you want. You can read more about the trim breakdown below.

BMW 7 Series 740i

The base 7 Series sedan has an MSRP of $83,650. In addition to a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated at 320 horsepower, this car features leather upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, quad-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power trunk, a panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a 10.2-inch touch screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, a Wi-Fi hot spot, two USB ports, wireless device charging, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon surround-sound audio system.

BMW’s Active Driving Assistant is also standard, offering driver assistance technologies such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and pedestrian detection.

All-wheel drive is available for $3,000. BMW also offers several packages. The Cold Weather package ($400) adds a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats, and the Luxury Rear Seating package ($3,900) adds ventilated and massaging rear seats. The Driver Assistance Plus package ($1,700) adds the Active Driving Assistant with the semi-autonomous Traffic Jam Assistant for steering aid, side collision avoidance, lane keep assist, front-cross traffic alert, and stop-and-go capability for adaptive cruise control. The Executive package ($4,000) offers a head-up display, rear-window sunshades, and ventilated front seats. A Parking Assistance package ($700) adds a surround-view parking camera.

BMW 7 Series 740e xDrive iPerformance Plug-in Hybrid

With a starting MSRP of $91,250, the BMW 740e switches the base powertrain for a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Together, they make a combined 322 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard. Otherwise, the plug-in hybrid has nearly identical standard and available features as the base 740i.

BMW 7 Series 750i

Like the entry-level 7 Series, the BMW 750i is a rear-wheel-drive sedan. Its window sticker price is $96,950, with all-wheel drive offered as a $3,000 option. Perhaps the most notable difference between the 740i and 750i is the engine. The BMW 750i features a V8 that makes 445 horsepower. Outside of upgraded Nappa leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats, and larger wheels, there are few notable upgrades. However, it is the first model available with the Rear Executive Lounge Seating package. For $5,750, you can treat back-seat passengers to a power-adjustable seat and footrest, a foldable table with cup holders, and an entertainment system with a 7-inch tablet.

BMW 7 Series Alpina B7 xDrive

The BMW Alpina B7 xDrive starts at $139,350. It features a 600-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine and lavish interior touches such as Nappa leather seats, massaging front seats, and a hand-finished myrtle wood trim.

BMW 7 Series M760i xDrive

The M760i xDrive is the most powerful car in the 7 Series lineup. It has a 6.6-liter V12 engine with a 601 horsepower rating. This performance behemoth features M badging and styling tweaks, as well as power-adjustable rear seats. It has a base price of $156,700 – nearly double the base price of a 740i.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local BMW dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our BMW deals page.

See 2019 BMW 7 Series specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2019 BMW 7 Series boasts an exceptionally roomy and comfortable interior loaded with features, and it offers a serene ride with crisp, dynamic handling. As far as super luxury cars go, this one is fantastic. It's a testament to the strengths of its rivals rather than any fault of its own that it doesn't rank higher.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "Big luxury sedans are the ultimate expression of the luxury car ethos, offering every trick in an automaker's bag. You can expect an expansive interior trimmed in high-quality materials, incredible attention to detail, a raft of advanced technology features, and an array of powertrains with immense power. The 2019 BMW 7 Series checks all those boxes. It also has the other defining characteristic of a large luxury sedan: a jaw-dropping price tag." -- Edmunds
• "Totally revamped for its sixth generation just two years ago, BMW's largest and most expensive sedan enters 2018 with a variety of engines choices and just about every creature comfort you can imagine – and some you might not even have known existed. … The 7 Series maintains the performance bent that has long distinguished it from rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS and Audi A8, all while packing the commendable ride quality and superb craftsmanship expected in a sedan with a starting price around $85,000." -- Kelley Blue Book (2018)
• "The 2017 BMW 7 Series is more than a full-size flagship sedan – it's a technological masterpiece. To recline in the back is to be pampered, to stretch out and enjoy more rear legroom than in the regular Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Or you could sit in the driver's seat and have a surprising amount of fun." -- Autotrader (2017)