2026 BMW 7 Series Review: The Ultimate Driving Machine Goes Theatrical
Oliver Bennett·29 April 2026·13 min read
The G70 7 Series is BMW's most dramatic expression yet — Theatre Screen, 1.8-metre wheelbase, optional electric powertrain. We drive it in the UAE for a month.
Verdict
Pros: - Theatre Screen is genuinely transformative rear-seat experience - 543 hp xDrive50e performs like a sportscar - Best combination of driving dynamics and luxury in class
Cons: - Exterior design divides opinion sharply - Price escalates rapidly with options - iDrive 8.5 takes time to master fully
Price range: AED 459,000 – 799,000 Best for: UAE executives who want the most technologically advanced sedan on the road Not for: Conservative luxury buyers — buy a Lexus LS or Mercedes S-Class
Introduction
BMW gave me a 740Lx and a 750Lx xDrive for 30 days in Dubai. Between them, I covered 2,800 km of UAE roads — Sheikh Zayed Road commutes, Abu Dhabi business drives, and Jebel Ali Golf Resort evenings. The conclusion is clear: the 7 Series is the most interesting luxury car available in the UAE, even if it is not the most tasteful one.
Key Specs
| Spec | 740Lx | 750Lx xDrive | i7 xDrive60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L I6 TT | 4.4L V8 TT | Electric |
| Power | 381 hp | 543 hp | 544 hp |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.2 sec | 4.3 sec | 4.7 sec |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,215 mm | 3,215 mm |
| Price (AED) | 459,000 | 589,000 | 649,000 |
Interior: The Theatre Screen Changes Everything
The 31.3-inch 8K Theatre Screen — mounted on the back of the front headrests and deployable at the press of a button — is either the most brilliant luxury feature in any car, or the most excessive. After 30 days, I have concluded: both.
In the 750Lx, the rear cabin with Entertainment Package becomes a genuinely private entertainment pod. The reclinable seats, Merino leather, and ambient lighting combined with the Theatre Screen make a Dubai–Abu Dhabi commute feel like first-class air travel.
The driving position and dashboard are equally dramatic: the Curved Display spans almost the full width of the dash; the Interaction Bar on the dashboard adds ambient light expressiveness; the optional glass sunroof shade opens and closes with crystal clarity.
Driving Experience
750Lx xDrive V8
The 4.4-litre V8 in the 750Lx produces 543 hp and 750 Nm. The 0–100 time of 4.3 seconds is extraordinary for a car with a 3.2-metre wheelbase. On the Sheikh Zayed Road approach to Abu Dhabi, the 7 Series merges into motorway traffic with a composure that makes speed feel effortless.
BMW's Active Air Suspension with Integral Active Steering transforms a 5,391 mm car into something that steers with the precision of a 3 Series. The rear-wheel steering (standard) tucks the nose into bends that feel physically impossible given the car's dimensions.
I averaged 12.4 L/100 km in the 750Lx over mixed UAE driving — acceptable for 543 hp and 2,640 kg.
Which Trim?
740Lx (AED 459,000): The rational choice — 381 hp inline-six, all the interior technology, without V8 fuel costs. 750Lx (AED 589,000): For the full experience — V8, M Sport package, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond audio standard. i7 xDrive60 (AED 649,000): The electric choice — 544 hp, 610 km WLTP range, applicable for UAE EV incentives.
Rivals
Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC (AED 539,000): Quieter, more traditional luxury. Less overtly dramatic. Lexus LS 500h (AED 539,000): Unmatched reliability. Less technologically adventurous.
Our Verdict
The 7 Series G70 is BMW's statement that luxury cars must innovate or become irrelevant. The Theatre Screen, the performance, and the interior technology represent genuine advances. The controversial design is the price of admission for buying BMW's most forward-looking product.
Recommended: 750Lx xDrive in Sparkling Copper Metallic with Entertainment Package.