The automotive world is shifting gears, and the ultra-luxury sedan segment is no exception. If you are considering the BMW i7, you aren’t just looking at a car; you are looking at a technological palace on wheels. It is the all-electric equivalent of the legendary 7 Series, designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz EQS and the Lucid Air.

However, dropping a significant amount of money on an EV flagship requires careful consideration. Here are 10 essential things you must know before bringing the BMW i7 home.

1. The Polarizing Design

The first thing you will notice is the massive illuminated kidney grille and the split headlight design (with Swarovski crystal elements). Unlike the Mercedes EQS, which looks distinctly like an EV, the i7 looks almost identical to the gas-powered 7 Series.

• The Consideration: The look is bold, brash, and aggressive. Ensure you are comfortable with the attention—and the opinions—this design attracts.

2. The 31.3-Inch Theater Screen

The headline feature of the i7 is the massive 8K theater screen that folds down from the roof for rear passengers.

• The Consideration: While impressive, it blocks the driver's rearview mirror completely when deployed. Also, check if the content streaming services you use are compatible with the onboard Fire TV system in your region.

3. Real-World Range

BMW claims a range of over 590-625 km (depending on the variant and testing cycle like WLTP).

• The Consideration: In real-world driving conditions—especially with the AC blasting, the theater screen on, and highway speeds—expect that range to drop. Ensure the range fits your inter-city travel needs, or plan your charging stops carefully.

4. Charging Infrastructure Requirements

The i7 houses a massive battery pack (over 101.7 kWh).

• The Consideration: A standard home plug won’t cut it. You will need to install a high-capacity AC wall box charger at your home and office. On a DC fast charger (195 kW), it can go from 10% to 80% in about 34 minutes, but finding these chargers can still be a challenge in some areas.

5. It is a Heavy Vehicle

The i7 is heavy—weighing nearly 2.7 tons.

• The Consideration: While the dual motors provide instant torque (0-100 km/h in under 4.7 seconds), you can feel the weight in tight corners. It is not a sports car; it is a luxury cruiser.

6. Automatic Doors can be Tricky

The i7 features automatic opening and closing doors, which feels very Rolls-Royce-esque.

• The Consideration: Sensors stop the doors from hitting obstacles, but in tight parking spaces or busy streets, waiting for the sensors to "approve" the opening can sometimes be slower than just opening a door manually.

7. The "Interaction Bar"

Inside, the dashboard features a crystalline "Interaction Bar" that houses touch controls and ambient lighting.

• The Consideration: It looks stunning at night, but in direct, harsh sunlight, the touch controls can sometimes be washed out or accumulate fingerprints easily.

8. Chauffeur vs. Driver

• The Consideration: This car is designed primarily for the person sitting in the back. If you love driving yourself, the i7 is capable, but you are paying for rear-seat features (like the Executive Lounge seating) that you won't be using. Decide if you are the driver or the passenger before buying.

9. Maneuverability in the City

The i7 is a long car (over 5.3 meters).

• The Consideration: While it comes with Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering) which helps turn the car in tighter circles, it is still massive. Ensure your parking garage and daily routes can accommodate a vehicle of this size.

10. The Price and Depreciation

As with all flagship EVs, the price tag is steep.

• The Consideration: EV technology is moving fast. Be aware that resale values for high-end luxury EVs can be volatile compared to their petrol counterparts, as battery tech improves year over year.

Final Verdict

The BMW i7 is arguably the most comfortable, silent, and tech-loaded car in its segment today. If you want to experience the future of luxury mobility and have a chauffeur to navigate the traffic, this is the ultimate purchase.