Test Drive: The New BMW 7-Series

This very smart car is a funhouse of automotive technology. But does any of it make driving easier?

By Lawrence Ulrich Posted 05.12.2009 at 11:40 am 4 Comments

Gadget Mobile The thoroughly tricked-out 2009 BMW 750i Courtesy BMW of North America

When even an $18,000 Honda offers a navigation system, an $81,000 luxury sedan has to work harder to impress. For BMW’s 7-Series, the techno lures include computer-enhanced performance from the twin-turbocharged V8 and enough gizmos to equip the cockpit of the Starship Enterprise. We spent more than 1,000 miles testing and grading the 750i.

Our conclusion: It, along with its sibling, the long-wheelbase 750Li, ditches the silly-gadget overload for technology that actually makes driving safer and more fun. Some fancy bits, such as the Pedestrian Detection system, remain undercooked or unsatisfying. Where it counts, though—in power, handling, and the navigation and multimedia systems—the technology makes this a BMW worth every penny.

See our point-by-point review.

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4 Comments

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antoine0387

from stanwood, wa

05/12/09 at 4:45 pm

The description for the High Beam Assist is the same as the engines description. What do the high beams assist?

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therealjbob

05/12/09 at 10:35 pm

The high beam assist just turns on/off the high beam for oncoming traffic and certain road conditions. Doesn't seem to innovative to me, my old 93' Lincoln Towncar had something similar.

To the author, you may have had a better experience with the night vision set-up had the test car had the heads-up-display option.

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beantown179

05/15/09 at 7:59 pm

Seems like the night vision screen could just pop up on the dash board above the speedometer...or even pop up so that it's in front of the windshield for the driver. This way you can look at your speedometer, look at the nightvision screen and look at the road ahead all in a up down motion.

Anyway sure that will be configured soon enough.

Now if they could just make it 200 mpg.

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kavin

05/24/09 at 4:34 am

I was waiting for the new series of BMW cars.Now the new series of BMW car in the market so I want to buy this multifunctional car.

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kavin

motorcycle transport