2017 BMW 750Li xDrive: The Lap of Luxury Knows no Bounds

There is something to be said about having the best of the best of something. BMW has many models in their lineup, but the 7 Series is their flagship top-of-the-line offering where all the luxury they can possibly dream of is instilled inside. The 750Li xDrive (the “L” stands for long wheelbase and adds 140 mm of length) sits at the top of the BMW food chain and is a majestic embodiment of decadence at its finest.

BMW introduced the current sixth-generation 7 Series for the 2016 model year with subtle but effective improvements in exterior styling, finally cutting any remaining links to notorious BMW designer Chris Bangle’s influence from the 2000s. The new 7 series is a modern rendition of what a luxury sedan should look like, with good proportions and sleek lines to create an imposing presence on the road. Even more so with the long-wheelbase version you see here.

• Also: 2016 BMW 750i xDrive: The One to Beat… for Now
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The use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the body structure has allowed BMW to shed about 130 kilograms (286 lbs.) while improving handling and fuel efficiency. This is a technology that the company developed for use with its electric i series vehicles and is now being used across the lineup. Under the hood, the V8 engine is good for 445 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque and can propel you to 100 km/h in about 4.3 seconds. Just for comparison’s sake, an E92 BMW M3 (2008-2013 if you don’t care for gearhead lingo) is roughly as quick. We’re talking about push-you-into-your-seat acceleration here from a vehicle that is basically a mini-limousine—an incredible feat.

Standard suspension equipment includes a two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling and Dynamic Damper Control. Consequently, the 2017 BMW 7 Series handles much better than you think it would. Prior generations were big cars and handled like big cars, but the new 7 Series isn’t like that at all. It was, dare I say, sporty. No matter how hard I pushed it, the vehicle seemed to stick to the ground and never once gave me anything but the utmost confidence in its ability. The balance between comfort and performance is on a level seemingly without parallel here.

But enough about performance, because people in the market for this car are looking to be pampered. The interior cabin is made for the high-level executive who is used to nothing but the best. The Cognac leather seating surfaces are exquisite in their comfort and detail. Our tester had most of the available bells and whistles, including the Executive package, M Sport Package, Driver Assistance package and the crème de la crème: Executive Lounge Tier 2.

The Executive Lounge Tier 2 adds rear ventilated lounge and massage seating, a rear work console, rear entertainment system with dual screens, BMW Touch Command and a four-seat configuration. The 7 Series turns into a moving office (or spa) when so equipped. I didn’t drive any executives around, but my toddlers sure enjoyed the amenities including the tablet-controlled functions. My only complaint is how difficult it is to play a movie for the rear occupants. In fact, it wasn’t even possible for the audio to be heard over the vehicle speakers because BMW forces you to use headphones. The design of the system is so poor that begs the question if BMW ever even tested the system on real families.

One of the coolest gimmicks that you will never use is called gesture control. By making a combination of hand signals in front of the dash, the driver has the ability to control several key functions. Want to turn up the volume? Stick out your finger and rotate it. Want to ignore an incoming phone call? Swipe your hand to get rid of it. Feel the need to rotate the exterior camera view? Pinch and turn. While the feature is great for impressing your friends and coworkers, it serves essentially zero purpose.

So how much will it cost you to drive like a prince or oil tycoon? The 2017 BMW 7 Series starts at $117,900 for the long-wheelbase version and $113,900 for the standard-length version. Where things start to get a little out of control are the package costs. The Executive Lounge Tier 2 will add $10,000 to the price, the Executive Package another $5,500, the M Sport package $4,900 and the driver assistance package $4,200. The Bowers & Wilkins audio upgrade ($4,900) and 21” wheels ($3,000) are standalone options and brought the price to $151,500. This is in line with the competition, namely the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8, but let’s face it: at this price point, a few thousand (or even tens of thousands) of dollars isn’t going to make or break the deal. People want the best there is and the 7 Series makes a great case for it.