The 7 Series is BMW’s flagship sedan, and as such, the car has a reputation to uphold. It must be a large, comfy luxury sedan with extensive tech and stronger-than-expected acceleration. BMW announced a new version of the 7 Series for 2023 that meets those expectations and adds an electric variant to the storied model line.
The 2023 BMW i7 is an all-electric version of the new 7 Series cars. It comes in a single trim level with several available upgrades and gets dual-motor all-wheel drive. It’s nearly identical to the gas-powered 7 Series, other than its powertrain and price.
What’s New for the 2023 BMW i7?
- All-new, all-electric variant of 2023 BMW 7 Series
- Offered exclusively in i7 xDrive60 trim
- Two electric motors with a combined output of 544 horsepower
- Driving range expected to reach 310 miles per charge
- Pricing to start at $120,295, including the $995 destination charge
- On sale in late 2022
2023 BMW i7 Exterior
BMW overhauled the 7 Series for 2023 with a striking new design. The car’s front end still features the automaker’s massive kidney grille but now gets a split lighting design, with the headlights mounted in lower recessed panels beneath a slim light strip that houses the daytime running lights, side markers, and turn signals. Buyers can opt to highlight the grille with an illuminated light strip, and Swarovski crystal-enhanced lights are available.
BMW says the new 7 Series sports a familiar shape accented by a monolithic surface design. That means vast swaths of clean, uninterrupted bodywork and a slightly larger body than the previous model without looking frumpy. The car is available in 13 metallic colors and one non-metallic shade. A two-tone paint option is available.
2023 BMW i7 Interior
The 7 Series’ interior features new multi-contour seats that are wider and more adjustable than before. Heating, ventilation, and massage are standard for the i7, and the rear seats are available with cooling and massage. A touch panel in each back seat controls seating functions, while an available Executive Lounge package adds a reclining position for the rear passenger seat. It’s available with quilting and heating for the rear armrest and a wireless smartphone charging tray.
Merino leather upholstery is standard, and BMW offers contrasting leather trim and wood or carbon fiber accents. The 7 Series’ steering wheel and gear selector are also all-new for 2023. The flat-bottom steering wheel features two spokes and control panels for various vehicle functions. The center console receives a fresh design and houses a new gear selector, audio controls, and the iDrive 8 controller.
2023 BMW i7 Specs
The new i7 features two electric motors that produce a combined 544 hp and 549 pound-feet of torque. According to BMW, that output is strong enough to propel the i7 to 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 149 mph. More impressive than its power and acceleration, BMW says its electric motors do not require the use of rare-earth metals.
BMW’s adaptive recuperation feature is on board the new i7. It uses traffic light recognition, hill sensing, and navigation data to change the intensity of regenerative braking in response to road conditions. BMW says the system can increase regeneration while approaching an intersection but change during highway driving to negate regeneration for smoother driving.
The i7 has updated charging logic that enables a smoother slowing of charge speeds as the battery fills. The system should improve charging times, and BMW says that the car can store charge settings for multiple chargers to make future trips easier and more convenient.
2023 BMW i7 Safety
BMW offers several advanced driver aids for the 2023 i7, including standard forward-collision warning with lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, and speed limit info. The best features are held back as optional, including a driving-assistance package with augmented camera views that project navigation data into the gauge cluster. A new parking assistant function allows the driver to remotely park and move their vehicle from up to 20 feet away.
The i7 gets a new safe-exit function that prevents passengers from exiting into danger. Unlike other brands with the tech, BMW also offers an automatic door option that allows one-touch open and close of the rear doors.
2023 BMW i7 Technology
Screens are the name of the game here. The i7 gets a 14.9-inch primary display and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster. A new “Interaction Bar” feature is a long touch-sensitive panel that spans most of the dash. It houses controls for climate settings, hazard lights, and the glove box.
A massive 31.3-inch 8k display is available for the back seat. It features built-in Amazon Fire TV and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Viewers can connect Bluetooth headphones for audio, and the screen folds out of the way when not in use.
2023 BMW i7 Competitors
The 2023 BMW i7 competes with the Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and the Tesla Model S.
BMW is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of April 25, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
