DecodedCarsBMW 7 Series
23 model years from 2005 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2027
- Class
- Large Cars, Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 17–28 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2006 (10)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 25,215 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 7 Series in brief
The 2026 BMW 7 Series is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 212 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 127-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,741 lb (750e Xdrive 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (25 city / 31 highway), 8% better than the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The BMW 7 Series has 23 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2027, classed as Large Cars, Midsize Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 28 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the power train (8), engine (7), air bags (7).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
2010 has the most recalls (2); all years together count 4 campaigns and 29 owner complaints.
How the 2005 7 Series compares
The 2005 BMW 7 Series is a large car offered with 2 engines (4.4L 8-cyl and 6.0L 12-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 5% better than the 2005 large car average of 18.1 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
About the BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by the German automaker BMW since 1977. It is the successor to the BMW E3 "New Six" sedan and is now in its seventh generation.
From the Wikipedia article "BMW 7 Series", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 7 Series pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 7 Series
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
None of the 10 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
7 Series changes by model year
- 2026
- Lightest version 725 lb heavier
- 2025
- New plug-in hybrid version
- 2023
- New body dimensions: 5.1 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New hybrid version
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 25 to 27
- 2022
- Engine added: 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- 2020
- Engines dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 27 to 24
- 2017
- New body dimensions: 5.5 in longer, wheelbase +5.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New plug-in hybrid version
- Engines added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 6.6L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 24 to 27
- 2016
- New body dimensions: 4.3 in shorter, wheelbase −5.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No diesel and hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG down from 26 to 24
- 2015
- New diesel version
- 2014
- Lightest version 176 lb heavier
- 2013
- New body dimensions: 5.5 in longer, wheelbase +5.5 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 25
- 2012
- Lightest version 154 lb lighter
- 2011
- New hybrid version
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 17 to 20
- Lightest version 154 lb heavier
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 23 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 212.2 in | 5,741 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 212.2 in | 4,720 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 212.2 in | 4,720 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 212.2 in | 4,720 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.6L 12-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 207.1 in | 4,859 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 207.1 in | 4,859 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 207.1 in | 4,859 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 206.3 in | 4,740 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 206.3 in | 4,740 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 206.3 in | 4,740 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 24 MPG | 200.8 in | 4,500 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 205.1 in | 4,526 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 205.1 in | 4,526 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 205.1 in | 4,350 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 199.6 in | 4,564 lb | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 199.6 in | 4,718 lb | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | 199.6 in | 4,564 lb | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 17 MPG | 199.6 in | 4,564 lb | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4.8L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl | 18 MPG | 198 in | 4,486 lb | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4.8L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl | 18 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4.8L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl | 18 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2005 | 4.4L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl | 19 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
Alternatives to the 2026 7 Series
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A8 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Genesis G90 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Audi S8 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW i7 | 314 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →