WINNER
BMW i7 and 7 Series
No new luxury car or SUV has toppled the BMW 7 Series – and the all-electric i7 – in the past 12 months, so they’re our top posh pick for the second year in a row. Impressively, they’re not just better than the equivalent Audi, Mercedes or Range Rover, they run Bentley and Rolls Royce shockingly close.
If you want maximum comfort and serenity, go for the i7. Its electric motors are quiet and the ride is softer and waftier than the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) only 7 Series. If you’d like to keep a petrol engine in your life, the PHEV has a long electric range and surprisingly good fuel economy when the battery is flat. Opt for an M760e and it’ll handle far better than the laws of physics should allow.
Crucially, both feel properly special inside and far less gaudy than an S-Class. It’s also better screwed together and is even available with a giant screen in the rear to make a mobile cinema. Don’t think of the 7 Series as a mere luxury car, it’s more like a private jet for the road.
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How much would the BMW i7 cost to insure?
Based on a 45-year-old male the BMW i7 would cost £1,185.14 to insure. Compare prices in less than five minutes at Parkerscompare.com
*Insurance quotes are from parkerscompare.com in October 2024 and are based on a 45-year-old, employed, married male living in Huntingdon with 20 years NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Read our full BMW 7 Series review
Read our full BMW i7 review
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Range Rover Sport
Assuming you can do without the big Rangey’s seven-seat option, the Range Rover Sport is very nearly as good as its bigger brother at a far more palatable price. Despite the name, it’s no pin-sharp handler – you’ll want a Porsche Cayenne for that – favouring comfort over driver involvement.
Even so, the air suspension delivered an impressive blend of suppleness and control, while the bonkers SV delivers bombastic acceleration and far tighter handling. Six-cylinder diesel models still make the most sense to us, although the plug-in is capable of over 50 miles on a full charged battery pack. That also helps stick the Sport in a temptingly low company car tax bracket. Naturally, all variants are still wickedly capable off-road, too.
To find out more, read our full Range Rover Sport review
Rolls Royce Ghost
The BMW 7 Series almost makes the Rolls Royce Ghost feel pointless. Almost. While both are quiet, comfortable and luxurious, the Ghost ramps things up enough to warrant the extra money. Its V12 is also smoother and quieter than the BMW’s engines, yet capable of flinging the Ghost at the horizon far more quickly than you’d expect. It even handles surprisingly well once you’ve got used to a fair bit of body roll.
If the 7’s interior is luxurious, the Ghost’s is truly sumptuous and has far more personalisation options if you really want to flaunt your wealth. It’s also simpler, with less focus on flashy tech and more on the best leathers, wood and other materials available. Some may wish for a lower CO2 option, but the Ghost is unlikely to appear on many people’s company car list.
To find out more, read our full Rolls Royce Ghost review
