If you think you know everything about BMW’s 7-Series models, it might be time to take another look. My friends at Germain BMW of Naples were kind enough to lend me the 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60, and I have to say that I was impressed. Full disclosure: I am a BMW fan, but I don’t jive with the new design language. In fact, I wouldn’t say I like the grille at all. Alas, there is a lot more going on with the i7 than just the beaver grille.
The 2024 BMW i7 xDrive60 Is All-Electric and All Kinds of Fun
One of the cool things about the 7 Series is that it comes with both the traditional gasoline-powered engine and this version with high-powered electric motors. This version has dual electric motors for a total of 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. The top speed is 130 mph, and zero to 60 mph acceleration is around 4.5 seconds.
So, given these impressive numbers, how did the i7 perform? It lived up to expectations and basically exceeded most of them. One of the benefits of an electric vehicle is that the power is pretty instantaneous. You don’t get the normal engine sounds, but who needs those anymore? At one point, I pulled up to the gatehouse of a local neighborhood and apparently snuck up on the guard attendant because she didn’t hear me. I thought that was pretty funny.
BMW says the i7’s range is between 298 and 317 miles. Since the model I drove had the 21″ M Aerodynamic jet black wheels in style 909 with performance non-run-flat tires, 298 miles is likely the max. The smaller 20″ wheels will have a better shot at hitting that 317 miles.
How Does the i7 Drive?
As one might expect from BMW, the electric sedan is very smooth. The dual electric motors are powerful and offer instant performance when you hit the gas pedal. The braking is smooth, and the overall experience is top-notch. The seats are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in.
Pricing for the i7 is as follows:
| Trim | Price | Range |
| i7 eDrive50 | $105,700 | 301 to 321 miles |
| i7 xDrive60 | $124,200 | 298 to 317 miles |
| i7 M70 | $168,500 | 274 to 291 miles |
The range for all of the vehicles depends on the wheel size. Larger wheels get less range, so consider that before selecting your wheels. Since we had the 21″ option, the range was around 298 miles. I saw fairly accurate range loss during our time together, even with the air conditioning running at high speeds most of the time.
If you aren’t fully on board with the electric models yet, BMW has four other models to choose from. The 740i, 740i xDrive, and 760i xDrive are gasoline-powered and still have plenty of horsepower. These models run from $96,400 to $121,300. The 750e xDrive is a plug-in hybrid model with 449 horsepower, and it starts at $107,000.
| Trim | Price | Horsepower |
| 740i | $96,400 | 375 hp |
| 740i xDrive | $99,400 | 375 hp |
| 750e xDrive | $107,000 | 449 hp |
| 760i xDrive | $121,300 | 536 hp |
I have driven many EVs in recent months, from the Model Y to the Lucid Air Touring and even the Polestar 2. The i7 was definitely the most comfortable and luxurious of all the models I have driven. From the seats to the little details like the automatic blinds in the back seat, BMW did a great job of making an ultra-lux version of its popular 7 Series. If you are interested in an electric vehicle but don’t really want to be a guinea pig with a new brand, BMW might have the answer for you in the i7.
The 2024 i7 is Packed with Technology
Thanks to our friends at Germain BMW of Naples, the i7 we had the chance to drive was fully loaded. It came with the Driving Assistance Professional Package,
M Sport Professional Package, Executive Package, and the Premium Package with front massaging seats. We set up the My BMW app to work with the car, which was another added benefit.
With the Driving Assistance Professional Package, the car has Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, Auto Lane Change and can show a 3D visualization of the objects around the vehicle. This includes walls, other cars, people, and whatever else might be nearby.
One of the coolest parts of all the available packages was probably the i7’s ability to park itself. Since it has so many sensors around the exterior, you can get out of the car and send the vehicle into a tight parking spot from your phone. From the My BMW app, you can do a few things. It lets you park, remotely check the interior/exterior cameras, and lock/unlock the car. You can also set off the horn should you need to find the EV in a large parking spot.
The My BMW app also allows you to precondition the batter before getting inside, which is helpful to get the most out of your range, especially in the winter months.
The Controversial Automatic Doors
BMW’s new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) is a helpful system that allows you to use voice-activated commands to perform tasks. It also has a button on the steering wheel to activate the system. All you have to say is, “Hey, BMW,” and ask it to do something, such as open the doors. If you say, “Hey BMW, open all doors,” the system will confirm, “You want me to open all doors?” And like magic, all of the doors will open.
You can also ask it to navigate you to your home address, take you to Target, or pull up the map on the touchscreen. The IPA can adjust the temperature, ask about tire pressure, and turn down the music. I found the system to be quite helpful, especially when it came to opening the doors while my hands were full. The internet, fickle as ever, did not agree. You can watch it in action below.
Are automatic doors a necessity? No, of course not. But I did think they were a neat feature. All four doors also have buttons on the interior and exterior that can open/close the doors. Sensors on the outside ensure the doors don’t open into another vehicle or whatever object might be there, and these were sensitive enough to notice my presence when standing nearby. When I returned the i7, opening my vehicle doors felt like a chore.
Charging the BMW i7 is Easy
BMW made charging the 2024 i7 fairly seamless. You can buy a charger from the dealership (the BMW Wallbox), but it also comes with a fast charger you can plug into a 240v outlet. If that doesn’t work, you can also stop by an Electrify America charging station for DC Fast Charging.
Depending on your commute, you probably won’t have to charge the EV every day. If you have a charger at work, you can plug in there occasionally to charge up. Otherwise, most people install a home charger and schedule charging for overnight when electricity is cheaper. In my days together, I watched the range go down slowly and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.
If you are local and want to see this 2024 BMW i7 in person at Germain BMW of Naples, you can find it at 11286 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110. This model definitely gets a thumbs up from me, and I appreciate Germain BMW letting me drive it. Let me know if you’ve had the chance to drive the i7 in any of its forms – I’m interested to hear what others have to say about it.
