BMW i7 Review: Is This ₹2 Crore Electric Sedan the Future of Indian Luxury Cars?
BMW’s flagship electric i7 delivers limousine-like comfort, groundbreaking tech, and blistering performance—but is it worth the high price tag?
In a market where big money meets big expectations, the BMW i7 isn’t just arriving—it’s making a statement. With its all-electric underpinnings and opulent execution, the i7 doesn’t shy away from rubbing shoulders with the crème de la crème of the luxury segment. The question is: does it earn its place at the ₹2 crore table, or is it simply a tech-laden showpiece with a prestigious badge?
BMW’s i7 Hits the ₹2 Crore Sweet Spot—Almost
Let’s cut straight to the numbers. The BMW i7 eDrive50 M Sport, which now serves as the entry point into the i7 lineup, is priced at ₹2.03 crore ex-showroom. Add the usual mix of registration, insurance, and city taxes, and you’re staring at an on-road price upwards of ₹2.20 crore in major metros.
Move one rung higher, and there’s the xDrive60 M Sport—with all-wheel drive and a meatier spec sheet—retailing at ₹2.13 crore ex-showroom. That’s already pushing ₹2.30 crore on-road. As for the flagship M70 xDrive, its ₹2.50 crore ex-showroom tag pulls it well into rarified territory, with an estimated on-road cost nearing ₹2.70 crore in cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 and even BMW’s own petrol-powered 7 Series appear more restrained in pricing—but neither quite matches what the i7 brings to the EV table.
Battery, Performance, and Real-World Range
This isn’t BMW’s first electric venture, but it’s certainly their most luxurious. The i7 packs a 101.7 kWh battery across all three variants. The eDrive50, with a single motor driving the rear wheels, produces around 449 horsepower and offers a claimed WLTP range of roughly 603 km.
The dual-motor xDrive60 ups the ante to 536 hp and 745 Nm, with a slightly longer range of 625 km. However, the spotlight undoubtedly falls on the M70 xDrive. With 650 hp and a stonking 1,015 Nm of torque, it clocks 0–100 km/h in around 4 seconds, which is astonishing for a sedan that weighs north of 2.6 tonnes. That said, you do lose some range—BMW claims around 560 km under ideal conditions.
As for charging, BMW isn’t cutting corners. The i7 supports DC fast-charging at up to 195 kW, which, according to the company, can juice up 170 km of range in just 10 minutes. Home charging via an 11 kW AC wallbox remains the fallback for overnight top-ups.
Inside the Cabin: More Theatre Than Transport
It’s impossible to step into the i7 and not be awestruck. BMW has clearly thrown the kitchen sink at this interior. The highlight? A massive 31.3-inch 8K ‘Theatre Screen’ that folds down for rear passengers, turning the car into a mobile screening room. Plug in an Amazon Fire Stick or stream via built-in apps, and this becomes a rolling entertainment suite.
The seating is equally indulgent. Rear passengers get reclining executive seats, complete with footrests and massage functions. Everything from the ambient lighting to the fragrance system is customisable. It’s glitzy, no doubt, but it never crosses into garish territory.
Up front, the curved 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment screen operate BMW’s iDrive 8, which is crisp, intuitive, and fast. The dash is lined with BMW’s Interaction Bar, a touch-sensitive LED strip that controls lighting, climate, and shortcuts—a bit of a gimmick, perhaps, but one that feels thoroughly modern.
And yes, the materials are top-notch. From cashmere wool trims to crystalline switchgear, everything oozes class.
Driving Experience: Smooth, Silent, and Supremely Composed
On the move, the i7 behaves exactly as you’d expect from a car in this league. The ride is floaty when needed but firms up beautifully at higher speeds. The air suspension soaks up road imperfections effortlessly, while active rear-wheel steering makes tight city manoeuvres feel less daunting than they should.
There’s very little road or wind noise—credit to double-glazed windows and extensive sound insulation. And unlike some EVs that struggle with brake feel, the i7 strikes a near-perfect balance between regen and friction braking.
While enthusiasts might miss the roar of a V8, the surge of instant torque more than compensates. For most owners—especially those who’ll occupy the rear seats more often than the driver’s chair—this is more than enough.
How It Measures Up Against Rivals
In India’s growing ultra-luxury EV space, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC is perhaps the i7’s closest rival. It offers a longer range on paper and an expansive Hyperscreen that spans the entire dashboard. But when it comes to rear-seat experience and overall polish, the i7 holds the upper hand.
Then there’s the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan—both far sportier but limited on space and comfort. They’re built for driving thrills, not boardroom calm.
BMW’s own 7 Series, now available with a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, undercuts the i7 on price and still offers similar levels of comfort. But it lacks the silent, torque-rich power delivery of an EV, and—let’s face it—doesn’t come with a 31-inch screen in the back.
Final Word: Is the i7 Worth the Splurge?
There’s no getting around it—the BMW i7 is expensive. But in today’s luxury EV landscape, it’s not just about the power figures or driving range. It’s about how all of it comes together.
And here, BMW has nailed the brief. The i7 is quiet without being dull, fast without being frantic, and lavish without being overbearing. Whether you’re being driven or doing the driving, it keeps you engaged in a way few cars in this segment can.
For those willing to spend a little over ₹2 crore, the eDrive50 M Sport makes a compelling case as the smartest buy. If you can stretch the budget, the xDrive60 offers more performance and all-wheel confidence. The M70? That’s a different ballgame altogether—less limousine, more land missile.
In the end, the i7 isn’t just BMW’s take on an electric flagship. It’s a statement of what the future of premium motoring could—and perhaps should—look like.
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Vinayak Chopra is an auto enthusiast and lifestyle writer with a flair for capturing the pulse of the automotive world. A graduate of IHM Shimla and associate at Fred Perry (Aditya Birla Group), he explores car tech, launches, and riding culture—blending real-world passion with sharp, reader-friendly insights.
