2020 BMW 7 Series Review

Though it started decades ago as a leather-lined sport sedan, the BMW 7 Series has placed a growing emphasis on advanced passenger comfort rather than thrilling driving dynamics. The 2020 BMW 7 Series is doubling down on the convenience and tech features, cementing its status as one of the pre-eminent luxury four-doors on the market.

Reworked, Not Redesigned

There are several new design cues that distinguish the refreshed 2020 7 Series from last year's model. Literally front and center is a new, much larger grille that bears a striking resemblance to that of BMW's new flagship SUV, the X7. Also new are restyled bumpers, a full-width taillight cluster, and vertical air outlets aft of the front wheels. The 7 Series will also be one of the first vehicles available with BMW's Laserlight headlights, which emit a brilliant white light that allows drivers to see much farther down the road than even LEDs.

Last year's conventional engine choices return, though all have been tweaked in one way or another. The base turbocharged six-cylinder in the 740i receives a 15-horsepower bump, to 335 hp, while torque remains unchanged at 330 pound-feet. The most significant boost is to the 750i's twin-turbo V8 — power increases from 443 hp to 523 hp, while maximum torque jumps from 479 lb-ft to 553 lb-ft. The range-topping M760i's twin-turbo V12 now produces 600 hp and 627 lb-ft.

The plug-in hybrid 7 Series, meanwhile, receives the most significant mechanical upgrades. Last year, the 740e featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and hybrid powertrain, good for a combined 322 hp. While we found its performance perfectly acceptable — the 0-60 mph sprint took just 5.1 seconds — BMW decided to up the ante for the revised model. The upcoming 745e will improve performance by switching to a six-cylinder engine, increasing output to 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque combined. Although no official figures have been released, we also expect the plug-in's all-electric range to increase from the current estimate of 14 miles.

More Everything

But the highlight of the 2020 BMW 7 Series is arguably its multitude of new features, options and enhancements. The digital instrument panel screen is modified, boasting a far more futuristic design than the previous analog-inspired display. The iDrive infotainment system jumps two generations to the latest iDrive 7 software, offering better voice recognition than before, along with a digital assistant similar to the one you have on your phone. Users will simply have to say "Hey, BMW" to activate the assistant, which can do anything from set a destination in the navigation system to adjust cabin and seat settings. These luxuries join already available exotic features, including massaging front and rear seats, air fragrances, and a road-scanning camera that adjusts the dampers to counteract upcoming rough surfaces.

Like any modern car, especially at this lofty price point, the 7 Series is loaded with driver assistance features. Standard items include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous parking. The standard automatic emergency braking system can also now detect cyclists in addition to pedestrians. The optional Driving Assistance package includes Extended Traffic Jam Assist, a variation on last year's similarly named feature, which now provides a hands-free driving experience at speeds up to 37 mph on certain highways. A new item called Back-Up Assistant automatically reverses the 7 Series out of a parking space by using the previously stored park-in information and following the same line you took when you parked the car.

2020 7 Series Pricing and Release Date

Pricing for the 2020 BMW 7 Series has not yet been announced, but we don't expect prices to be substantially higher than for the 2019. The only likely exception is the 745e, which might get a price bump because of the change from four-cylinder to six-cylinder power. All four powertrains will be available when the 7 Series goes on sale spring of this year.