By: Krish Persaud
July 6, 2026
Standing beside the 2026 BMW i7 xDrive60 for the first time, one thing immediately stood out. It was huge. Finished in BMW Individual Brass Metallic, the i7 has a presence that photos simply can’t capture. Its proportions are unmistakably those of a flagship luxury sedan, yet the design avoids being overly dramatic. Instead, it relies on size, clean lines and understated elegance to make an impression.
One of those details revealed itself before the journey even began. Equipped with BMW’s optional Automatic Doors, the i7 opened itself at the touch of a button. It initially felt like the kind of feature you’d demonstrate once before forgetting about it, but over the course of the week it became surprisingly natural. Passengers noticed it immediately, and by the time the vehicle was returned, it had become one of those small luxuries that quietly added to the overall experience.
Despite its size, the i7 never felt cumbersome from behind the wheel. BMW has done an impressive job disguising the car’s dimensions, making it feel considerably smaller than it appears from the outside. Tight parking lots, downtown streets and multi-point turns never became the challenge its size suggested, and before long the car simply felt natural to drive.
Power comes from dual electric motors producing 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft. of torque, but those numbers only tell part of the story. The performance isn’t about neck-snapping launches or proving a point at every traffic light. Instead, the instant torque makes everyday driving feel effortless. Highway merges, passing slower traffic and accelerating away from intersections all happen with complete confidence, yet the power is delivered with the smoothness expected from a luxury sedan rather than a performance car.
As the kilometres added up, performance slowly took a back seat to comfort. The front seats quickly became one of the highlights of the week. Whether navigating city traffic or settling in for a longer highway drive, they remained supportive without feeling overly firm. It’s one of those qualities that’s difficult to appreciate during a brief media drive but becomes obvious after spending several days with the vehicle.
The rear cabin is where the i7 begins to tell a different story. Equipped with the Executive Lounge Package and Theatre Screen, it transforms from luxury sedan into something that feels closer to a private lounge. Sitting in the rear seat with the Theatre Screen lowered, music playing through the optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and the rear pillow supporting your head, it’s easy to understand why some owners would rather be chauffeured than drive themselves.
Thankfully, the Theatre Screen never feels like technology for the sake of technology. The display is sharp, the resolution is excellent and the overall experience feels polished enough that passengers will likely find themselves using it more often than expected.
The optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System was equally impressive. As someone who works in the A/V industry, I tend to pay close attention to audio quality, and this system exceeded expectations. Rather than simply playing music, it created an immersive listening experience that encouraged turning the volume up just to appreciate the clarity and separation between instruments. It’s easily one of the standout features of the entire vehicle.
Long highway drives reinforced exactly what the i7 was built to do. The cabin remained whisper quiet, with very little wind or road noise finding its way inside. Combined with the exceptional seat comfort and a suspension that absorbed rough pavement without feeling disconnected from the road, every commute felt relaxed and remarkably refined.
Living with the i7 as an electric vehicle proved equally straightforward. Planning trips around the available range has become second nature with EV ownership, so charging never became a concern throughout the week. Once you understand the vehicle’s capabilities, it simply integrates into everyday life without demanding constant attention.
If there was one area that felt slightly underwhelming, it was the infotainment experience. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the system itself. It’s responsive, intuitive and among the easiest luxury interfaces to use. The only disappointment is that much of the experience feels familiar to anyone who has driven another recent BMW. For a vehicle sitting at the top of the lineup, it would have been nice to see one or two exclusive digital touches that immediately reminded occupants they were in BMW’s flagship electric sedan.
Spending a week with the i7 also made its intended buyer much clearer. This isn’t a car for someone chasing lap times or looking to make the loudest entrance. Instead, it feels tailored toward someone who values refinement, craftsmanship and arriving in complete comfort. Whether behind the wheel or relaxing in the rear seat, the experience always feels appropriately premium without becoming excessive.
At the time of testing, our BMW i7 xDrive60 carried an as-tested price of $204,250 CAD, including the Executive Lounge Package, Rear Entertainment Package, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, Automatic Doors and numerous BMW Individual upgrades.
Returning the i7 to BMW Canada at the end of the week brought an interesting realization. The features that initially grabbed attention, like the Theatre Screen and Automatic Doors, weren’t the things that lingered most. Instead, it was the exceptional ride quality, the effortless instant torque and the outstanding seat comfort that stood out. Those were the qualities experienced every single day, and ultimately they became the reasons the i7 was so enjoyable to live with. In a segment where technology often steals the spotlight, it’s refreshing to drive a vehicle that gets the fundamentals so right.
