Five Things That Stood Out to Me with the New BMW 7 Series

When new versions of cars like the BMW 7 Series come out, I immediately get all excited about them. Not only do they fall right in line with the kind of cars that I lose my bananas over (and end up owning).

But I’m unabashedly a fan of big, flagship luxury sedans. While I’m a self-professed diehard Mercedes-Benz fan, I’m also equal parts a yuge BMW fan.

So, when the Bavarian automaker announced its refreshed 7 Series, I had to show up to the reveal to check it out.

I like big (German) boats and I cannot lie

Chris Chin

As a car enthusiast, I’m a bit unconventional. Most typical enthusiasts like things that are lightweight, fast and look like they’ll make skirts fly up and jaws drop as you drive past.

So, typical car people look at my appreciation for vehicles like the 7 Series as a bit, well, awkward. But why large, fancy executive sedans meant for well to-do salespeople, lawyers and big wigs give me what James May calls “the fizz,” comes down to several reasons.

BMW

Firstly, I grew up with my dad having several 7 Series throughout my childhood. And I was always enamored with how smooth, comfortable, impeccably built and technologically advanced they were.

But more so, the 7 Series historically has always been one of BMW’s most import cars as a statement, benchmark and icon. For almost a half century, the world always looked to the 7 Series and its arch rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as two the technological pinnacles and innovators of the automotive world.

Because of this, there’s an old saying: if you want to see what kind of technology and engineering your basic mainstream automobiles will have in the near future, look at cars like the 7 Series and the S-Class.

They’re also the choice automobiles for world leaders and diplomats, aristocrats, mob bosses and Hollywood baddies. Hell, even in the 7 Series’ case, James Bond piloted one in Tomorrow Never Dies, even if it was at the protest of 007 purists.

BMW

With such a repertoire, big luxury sedans are undoubtedly cool in their own right. To see if the latest 7 Series has the potential to continue carrying that torch, I ventured to its world premiere at New York City’s iconic Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station.

Here are the top five things that initially stood out to me about the newly updated 7 Series.

1. Its exterior design finally looks far more cohesive than before

Chris Chin

When the “G70” 7 Series first debuted in 2022, many, like myself, found the sheetmetal visually controversial and polarizing. It was very much a love-it or hate-it affair, with much of the reception going towards the latter. But BMWs have always had controversial, avantgarde, forward-thinking aesthetics.

This time around, BMW’s designers blended the current design with its incoming Neue Klasse theme. The company says the elements lean more into the “monolithic” language (whatever that means). But the overall result comes across as much more refined and elegant. I dig it much more than the original rendition.

2. The new 7 Series now looks like it really means business

Chris Chin

With its exterior updates, the 7 Series’ front end appears much sleeker than before. It’s far more simplified and refined, in a less is more approach.

Furthermore, because the overall front end looks less fussy, it looks far more intimidating and imposing. And that’s a good thing.

Chris Chin

A big, German, flagship luxury sedan known for blissfully and effortlessly storming the Autobahn at triple digit speeds should scream, “get the f*** out of the way” in the rearview mirror. And the updated 7 Series with its latest styling changes most certainly looks the part.

3. The screen acreage is far better executed than before

Chris Chin

I’m an ardent hater of massive screens in cars. But that’s an uphill battle and argument with automakers and designers. So, I know it’s fruitless to continuously opine against them and rather, embrace them. It’s 2026 after all, and most if not all of our lives are digitized by screens in some way (as I write this, while staring at one).

Previously, BMW attempted to lean into the massive screen complex with the original G70 and the company’s then-new “BMW Curved Display.” It featured a singular, massive ultra-wide array of two screens. The driver got a 14.9-inch display while an adjacent 12.3-inch unit controlled the infotainment system.

Chris Chin

BMW Curved Display was simply way too much screen in your face. But 7 Series gets BMW’s “Panoramic Vision.” It removes the massive ultra-wide array and instead, places an extra wide, but thin-profile display at the top of the dashboard.

The new arrangement also omits any massive screen from sitting in front of the driver. The result is better placement of pertinent information without the need to take your eyes off the road. And, it looks to be less blinding in darker situations.

4. It’s a world-class home theater and office on wheels

Chris Chin

In-car technology has always been one of the many highlights for full-size executive sedans like the 7 Series. The latest one is no different.

For the first time, BMW now integrated Dolby Atmos playback technology for its infotainment system. That alone makes the audiophile in me get all giddy.

Chris Chin

Because, who doesn’t like music and who doesn’t like to be immersed into vibrant and fulfilling sound while they’re driving about? To add to the effect, the 7 Series comes standard with a top-spec sound system featuring…wait for it…a whopping 36 speakers.

That’s almost three times more than what you typically get at your average local AMC theater franchise.

5. It’s an executive sled from the future

Chris Chin

So, does the new 7 Series continue carrying the torch as a technological tour de force? Frankly, as a whole, it’s currently hard to say. Especially since I haven’t been behind the wheel of one.

More than half the experience of a car like the 7 Series comes from driving it or riding in it as a passenger. That’s because the 7 Series and its rivals didn’t just pioneer technologies like fancy infotainment systems and giant screens.

Chris Chin

Majority of their engineering superiority came from their engineering prowess. Remember, cars like the 7 Series and the S-Class pioneered world-class systems such as exquisite and comprehensive adaptive suspension, chassis and braking systems.

They were also huge statement in performance. All mainly because they’re engineered to the toughest standards of the German Autobahn. Because what other automobiles can do 155 mph without breaking a sweat and in total, complete comfort and stability?

From its plethora of in-car technology, however, and all that it showed off at Vanderbilt Hall, it certainly is off to a good start.

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