Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 7-Series

Image is everything when it comes to luxury saloons - and there is no more distinctive car in this class than BMW's 7-Series. It showcased a new design theme which divided opinion, while inside it premiered the iDrive control system.

The revisions answer the key criticisms of the 7-Series. Buyers have a choice of cutting-edge petrol and diesel units, and the BMW is great to drive. With an improved cabin and less challenging looks, the 7 is a superb luxury saloon.

Image is everything when it comes to luxury saloons - and there is no more distinctive car in this class than BMW's 7-Series. It showcased a new design theme which divided opinion, while inside it premiered the iDrive control system.

A revised version for 2005 will help the car close in on rivals from Mercedes and Jaguar. At the front, a bigger grille, reshaped lights and revised bumper give a more elegant look. Meanwhile, the bootlid carries a chrome strip and bigger lamps with a slimmer bumper. While tidy, the tail now appears ordinary compared to the previous 7.

The changes are more subtle inside, with a reshaped steering wheel and chrome-effect switches adding to the high standard of luxury and comfort. The iDrive controller now has a menu button to make operation simpler, but still is not as easy to use as rival set-ups such as Audi's MMI system.

Mechanically, the 7-Series benefits from suspension tweaks, including an increased rear track. But the superb balance between a comfortable ride and impressive handling remains.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024