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Should you buy one?

The BMW 7 Series is the ideal luxury saloon for people who love driving. Rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class are more comfortable – particularly in the rear – but nothing in this class can compete with the BMW’s handling.

Which means the decision really comes down to whether the priority is comfort for those in the back or enjoyment for those in the front. Keen drivers will choose the 7 Series all day long, but those who want to sit back with a cup of coffee and a newspaper will prefer the S-Class.

For our money, the 745e plug-in hybrid is the powertrain to choose, with an electric motor for short trips or urban driving, while a silky 3.0-litre petrol engine is there for longer journeys and increased performance. Long-wheelbase versions have more rear space, but the short-wheelbase model is cheaper and more fun to drive.

What we like

The 7 Series is by far the best luxury saloon to drive, with precise steering and surprising agility for a car that weighs so much. It also has some great engines that make it effortlessly fast without spoiling the refinement you expect from a big limo.

Yet there’s more to the 7 Series than that. It’s still a big, spacious luxury car with some innovative on-board technology and incredibly comfortable back seats, as well as a big boot, giving it a best-of-both quality.

What we don’t like

The biggest problem with the 7 Series is not really a problem of its own making; it has more to do with the talents of its rivals. The ride comfort is good, but not quite as good as the Mercedes S-Class’s, and some will also prefer the Mercedes’ more spacious, less traditional interior. And while the BMW is beautifully built, an Audi A8 just feels that little more solid.

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Further reading:

• The Parkers luxury car of the year award
• The best luxury SUVs
• Not sport enough? Try the BMW 8 Series