Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £53,695 to £68,800
A technological showpiece, huge and refined performance, amazing mix of comfort and agility, quality feel, groundbreaking design.
Some of the technology isn't standard, styling is very controversial, steering-wheel gearchange buttons badly placed.
BMW wanted to make a bold new statement, and has succeeded. No other luxury car does so much so well. But if the styling's still a bit much, the new-generation model - with the wilder edges smoothed off - went on sale in April 2005.
The 7-Series features what BMW calls ISIS - an Intelligent Safety and Information System. It uses separate sensors for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers, to help deploy more quickly whichever of the front, side, head or curtain airbags are needed. The curtains help shield occupants from shattering glass, too. The front seats have active head restraints which move forward in a rear impact to reduce whiplash injury, and they automatically rise when the electrically-adjustable seats are moved back. The 7-Series has several stability and traction systems, but Brake Assist isn't one of them, surprisingly. There's no key as such, just an electronic fob, so no door locks to pick. Security is taken as read.
Latest Readers' Drives About the BMW 7-Series
wrote on 20 03 2007