New BMW 7 Series revealed: Mat Watson shows you the massive upgrades for this Mercedes S-Class killer
Car changing is a big deal
BMW has given the 7 Series a massive update for 2026 including revised styling, new tech and an overhauled interior. Mat Watson is going to walk you through all the changes to see if they’ve improved this luxury limousine.
This is the new BMW 7 Series. You might be thinking that it doesn’t look all that new, but it really is. This is the most extreme facelift BMW has ever done. In fact, it’s more like a facelift, tummy tuck and pec enhancement, all in one.
I’m going to show you around the new 7 Series and show you exactly what has changed. I’ll talk you through the design, interior, technology and power options, and at the end I’ll tell you if I would buy this over the new Mercedes S-Class.
New BMW 7 Series design: it’s more different than you thought
When you look at the new 7 Series in isolation, it’s harder to tell what changes BMW has made to the design. Here’s the new one side-by-side with the outgoing car to make it easier to spot the difference.
The light design is all-new, with the dipped beam and main beam combined into one unit. This makes it smaller, and means it doesn’t extend widthways across the bumper like it did on the old car. It makes the car look more slab-fronted, which in turn makes it more imposing.
That massive grille has also been made even bigger, and it’s flatter at the top and bottom. The bonnet is also new, and now features two bulges which come forward to meet the top of the grille.
The side profile is exactly the same as before, although there are some new alloy wheel designs to choose from and some new paint finishes. You can have a two-tone effect with gloss on top and satin on the bottom, and that paint job takes three days to complete with 12 different processes. Madness.
You get a redesigned rear bumper and larger taillights which follow on from BMW’s “Neue Klasse” models, such as the iX3 SUV.
The new BMW 7 Series won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s certainly more imposing to look at than a Mercedes S-Class. If you want a luxury car which shouts wealth rather than whispers it, this is the one for you.
New BMW 7 Series interior and technology: even bigger changes found inside
The BMW 7 Series has an all-new interior which borrows tech from the latest models. One feature I like is the ability to open and close all the doors from the screen. Ideal if you’re a
lazy chauffeur.
As for the design, it’s totally different to before with loads of different surfaces and lovely-feeling materials. As you’d expect, there are almost limitless customisation options for the trims and upholstery, whether you want wood, carbon fibre, leather or even wool.
The new infotainment screen is very similar to the iX3’s, meaning it’s really bright, clear, responsive and easy to use. The biggest change, however, is the Panoramic iDrive display.
This is also carried over from the iX3, and it’s a big head-up display which runs the entire width of the cabin, showing you key driving information, navigation directions and media controls. You can customise it from the central screen, and when you put the car in sport mode you get a rev counter.
A first for BMW is the passenger screen. Mercedes and Audi have been doing this for a while, but now the 7 Series offers a display with apps like YouTube and Disney plus to keep your co-driver occupied on long trips. You can even play games on it by connecting a PlayStation controller.
New BMW 7 Series rear seats: where you’ll really want to be
The back seats in the new BMW 7 Series are just as luxurious as before, with loads of legroom and deep, comfy chairs. You can still go into full relaxation mode, with the front seat sliding out of the way at the touch of a button so you can really stretch out.
What BMW has done is upgrade the tech. The touchscreen controllers in the rear have faster processors so they’re quicker to respond, and the massive 32-inch cinema screen is now in 8K resolution rather than 4K, so it looks even more impressive.
The 36-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system is also nuts. There are speakers in the seats so you feel the music vibrating you, making it fantastic for watching movies. What a wonderful way to travel.
New BMW 7 Series engines and motors
You’ll be able to get the new BMW 7 Series with a wide range of engines. There will be 3.0-litre straight-six petrol and diesel engines, although these are unlikely to come to the UK. We’ll get two plug-in hybrid models, the most powerful of which will have more than 600hp. There are even rumours of a V8 version with no hybridisation at all.
There’s also the electric i7, that gets a new type of battery pack which is more efficient than before. It has up to 452 miles of range in the 455hp version, 65 miles more than the outgoing car, but some way off the 575 miles you can get from the new Mercedes EQS.
If you want something a bit more spicy, then you’ll need the i7 M70. It has a whopping 680hp, 20hp more than the old 7 Series, and it’ll do 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.
New BMW 7 Series prices and verdict: should you buy this over a Mercedes S-Class?
The electric BMW i7 will go on sale in September this year, with the petrol 7 Series arriving shortly after. Prices haven’t been confirmed just yet, but as with the current car it’ll be more than £100,000.
But would I choose this new BMW over the Mercedes S-Class? Well I’ll have to get the two cars out on the road to be sure, but on first impressions my money would be on the 7 Series. I prefer the way it looks to the Mercedes, and if the previous versions of both cars are anything to go by then I’ll prefer the way it drives as well.
I’ll be driving both the new 7 Series and new S-Class as soon as they land on UK soil, so keep an eye on the Carwow website for the full reviews of these cars once I’ve spent some time behind the wheel.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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