2010 BMW 7 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 750i 4dr Sedan RWD, 750i Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD, 750li 4dr Sedan RWD, 750li Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD
- Engines
- 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 400 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 199.6–205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,564–4,861 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 BMW 7 Series is a large car offered with 2 engines (4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,564 lb (750i 4dr Sedan RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), 8% worse than the 2010 large car average of 18.5 MPG, for an estimated $4,850 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2010
- Engine added: 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 7 Series →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Dingolfing, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2010 7 Series configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750i 4dr Sedan RWD | 199.6 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 120.9 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,564 lb | 50/50 |
| 750i Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD | 199.6 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 120.9 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,718 lb | 50/50 |
| 750li 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,641 lb | 50/50 |
| 750li Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,861 lb | 50/50 |
| Active Hybrid 4dr Sedan RWD | 203.5 in | 74.8 in | 58.7 in | 122.8 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | – | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750i | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -8% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 750Li | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -8% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 750i xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -14% | $5,150 | 555 |
| 750Li xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -14% | $5,150 | 555 |
| 760Li | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -19% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 BMW 7 Series under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 BMW 7 Series (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Audi S6 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger · Oct 20, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V521000 · 32,084 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
- Fix
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 18, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V047000 · 1,040 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 7-SERIES AND MODEL YEAR 2010 550i GRAND TURISMO VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLE'S ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE LABEL INDICATING THAT THE VEHICLE'S SEATING CAPACITY IS FIVE (5) PASSENGERS. THE ACTUAL SEATING CAPACITY IS FOUR (4) PASSENGERS. THE TIRE SIZE, TIRE PRESSURE, AND VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE LABEL ARE CORRECT.
- Risk
- THE TIRE LABEL DOES NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 110.
- Fix
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND AUTHORIZED BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Not every 2010 BMW 7 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 BMW 7 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 BMW 7 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 7 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 7 Series | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 7 Series | 27 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 7 Series | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 7 Series | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 7 Series | 24 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 7 Series | 24 | 200.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →