2017 BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7-series was all new for 2016, so it doesn't get many changes for 2017. The big changes are that the BMW display key is now standard. The smart key has a display that shows you information about the car. Things like how much fuel range there is left, or if the windows are down, or if the car is unlocked. Certain trims get remote control parking that can move the car in or out of a space using a push of a button on the display key. The 7-series is almost more assistant than car. It can drive itself for up to 15-seconds, add perfume to the air, recline your seat and give you a foot rest. It'll even roll out an LED light carpet when you approach. It can self park, and it can brake if it thinks you aren't going to. There is a new iDrive system that uses your gestures in the air to control features of the infotainment system.

There are air spring, adjustable dampers, and an available active comfort drive system that looks at the road and adjusts the chassis before you even hit the bump. There is also rear-wheel steering available. That said, if you put it in sport mode it still handles like the BMW you expect. It's not overly sporty or firm like the Audi A8 or Jaguar XJ, but it's not Rolls or Mercedes S-class soft. In short, it's a crisp handling luxury sedan that can coddle you as much as anything else, and can get you there in a hurry when you need it to.

There are two wheelbase choices for 2017 and one choice of engine. The 750i xDrive gets a 4.4L V8, 450 hp and lots of torque from twin-turbochargers. xDrive means it gets all-wheel drive, and the only transmission is an eight-speed automatic. The 750Li xDrive gets the same thing, but is 14 cm longer. Inside are 20-way adjustable power seats with heated front seats. Leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon stereo, radar cruise, navigation on a 10.2-inch screen, four-zone climate control, moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. An individual pack adds a choice of leather and trim colour and materials, a driver assistance pack adds park assist and night vision, dynamic handling adds the road reading suspension and active four-wheel steering, and an executive package adds ventilated front seats with massage, thicker glass, side sunshades, surround view camera, and soft close doors. A rear seat entertainment pack is also available.

On the long wheelbase model, an Executive Lounge pack offers rear ventilation controls, power adjustable rear seats with rear footrests, ventilated, massage back seats, and rear-seat iDrive control in tier 1 form. Tier 2 offers those feature plus a rear seat console with chargers, a folding table, and a 7.0-inch tablet.

Fuel economy for the 7-series is 14.3 L/100 km city, 9.3 highway.