BMW i7 Expert Review

Exterior:

The BMW i7’s design is nurtured around bold characterisation, with a monolithic approach, but covering nook and corner with advanced design attributes, providing a significant butch-appeal. The i7 comes with the emphasis of this bold appeal, featuring a signature kidney grille design with LED illumination around the framework. However, this design approach has mixed reactions from users; it feels overly aggressive and polarizing, not to the taste of older-gen BMW sedans.

That said, the Swarowski crystal element integration and sharp LED lighting do provide the design with a sleeker and more luxurious appearance, true to its larger stance.

The muscular, sculpted bumper, with attributes like silver element integrations, while maintaining aerodynamically efficient construction and stronger and signature aesthetics, is also noteworthy. The aggressive sculpting, incorporating a longer front section, with the bonnet line receding but prominent, provides a continuum to its new-age design aesthetics. The side section follows:

The side profile maintains a subtle characterisation with minimal elements and larger body coloured and contoured architecture to provide a sleek but efficient appearance. The flush aerodynamic real estate manages to provide a cleaner stance; an approach that signifies luxury appeal. The portion also prominently showcases 21-inch alloy wheel integrations that are unique. However, the low ground clearance means the underbelly scrapes on larger bumps on the route.

Approaching the back end, the BMW i7 utilises an ultra-sleek LED lighting element, resonating with the rest of the design attributes as a prominent display of aggressive styling. Also, the subtle blue accents of the badging make the i7 stand out uniquely, carrying forward BMW’s legacy. The reflective red element integration on the lower bumper section is another subtle design addition.

For notching up the design with high-end luxury sedan appeal, the BMW i7 also comes in multiple colour schemes to choose from the palette: Oxide Grey, Dravit Grey, Black Sapphire Metallic, BMW Individual Frozen Pure Grey Metallic, and BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic. With these unique colour schemes, the BMW i7 is lass apart in appearance with every peek.

Interior:

Stepping inside, the BMW i7 provides its occupants a luxurious, ultra-modern, and sleek lounge-like feel; the interior replaces the use of physical switch gears with touch elements that provide a higher haptic level, with an immersive experience. The crystal glass-like attributes of the gear shifter and the centrally equipped glass house-like console elements provide a futuristic look. However, the crystalline backlit elements cause a reflection on the side windows, affecting visibility.

BMW has extensively used glassy elements, complemented by a textured layout to elevate the cockpit design in an attempt to make it feel like a high-end real estate— to dwell in comfortably. The dynamic faceted crystal cockpit is also supported by multiple other linear touch control panels for a unique user experience. The curved display section on the dashboard layout is a unique feature from BMW that complements the lower lateral touch screen layering integrated.

Towards the rear, the BMW i7 boasts an executive lounge, enhanced by the large panoramic sky roof. The comfortable seating layout also offers a captivating LED-based lighting design. To further elevate the luxurious design route taken, BMW has integrated a large BMW theatre screen synced to the roof elements; can be displayed and retracted when required. However, this can cause obstruction of the rear view for the driver, which is a bummer when driving on narrow routes.

Nevertheless, with up to 35 speaker integrations, the BMW i7’s front and rear cabin sections offer an immersive experience. Supported by high-fidelity surround sound functionality, the entertainment system offers a crystal-clear and dynamic surround experience. All said, the BMW i7 not only excels in cabin tech and gizmo integrations, but also in build quality and reassuring reliability:

Build Quality:

The BMW i7 comes with a solid architecture to maximise reliability; the quality of panel integrations, crystal glass elements, leather upholstery, and trim fitments is world-class. There are zero panel gaps on the exterior design attributes. Meanwhile, the luxury elements inside are also fixed and finished with premium-quality construction, meaning they are designed for a long-life. Overall, the BMW i7 steps up to the standards represented by the company for several decades.