• Good, but not class-leading range
• Seriously rapid charging available
• Not that efficient

What are the running costs?

Unlike rivals, you only get battery size in the i7. A chunky 101.7kWh battery powers either a single rear motor in the eDrive50 model or two motors, one on each axle in the xDrive60 or xDrive M70.

BMW claims range figures of up to 379 miles, 387 miles and 343 miles respectively, unusually with the more powerful 60 model offering a greater WLTP figure than the entry-level car.

You’ll need to drive very sedately to get anywhere near that figure. Start using the sizeable reserves of power and you’ll see efficiency drop like a stone, and it’s not the most efficient thing on the motorway. We saw around 2.2 miles per kWh on a cold winter’s morning suggesting a range of just over 200 miles. In more temperate climes, the i7 easily dispatched a 250-mile journey with range to spare, suggesting it’s quite vulnerable to temperature.

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A big battery is good for range, but it also means long charging times. The fastest you’ll get it to charge on a home wallbox is 10.5 hours, so the 34 min 10-80% rapid charge time at 195kW is a relief.

Find more information on our BMW i7 specs page.

Servicing and warranty

BMW’s standard warranty is a rather stingy three years, albeit with no mileage limit. If you plan on keeping the car longer, and extended or insured warranty is available for an additional cost.

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You can opt to purchase a discounted service plan to cover the first four years of maintenance. If you’d rather spread the cost out, you can pay for a servicing plan with a monthly direct debit.

Reliabilty

It’s too early to comment on the reliability of the BMW i7, which uses a relatively new electric platform. These types of cars typically prove to be mechanically sound, with few moving parts to worry about. Just keep an eye out for software issues in the sophisticated infotainment system.