2009 BMW 750i Road Test Video

2009 BMW 750i Road Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Oct 14, 2009

3:1 min

Is it just us or is luxury now a dirty word? Tainted by hybrid powetrains and cost cutting some luxury sedans have lost focus – not BMW’s 750i. The mission of the 2009 7 series remains as clear as ever – it’s a big, comfortable, quiet and quick sedan that offers no apologies.

Thankfully, the 750’s funky rear end is gone and now the most controversial element on a car is the large, vertical kidney grilles that dominate the front end. It lends an imposing face that’s appropriate for BMW's flagship but at the same time honors classic BMW cues.

Despite the 750 badge on the newly sculpted trunk lid, a 4.4 liter, twin turbo V8 sits under the hood. It’s good for 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The V12 is gone but the forced induction V8 delivers the type of acceleration most people expect from a V12 but never really got. In fact, this V8 has more torque than the outgoing V12.

The 750i is a quick as an S63 from 0-60 and the cabin remains so quiet that you’ll be into triple digits by the time you check the gauges. And it’s all delivered in a uniquely BMW way – a bit of aggression covered by layers of smooth.

Stopping power is equally impressive for a 4600 lb car – it takes just 112 feet to come to a full stop from 60 mph.

The 750’s cabin is an elegant blend of highest-quality luxury materials and purposeful design. The glossy wood trim gracefully wraps itself around the cabin and adds a touch of old world style.

The standard seats are very comfortable and include heating, cooling, massaging and about a thousand different adjustment options.

There’s also a revised i-Drive system. The new version has better graphics and extra buttons for frequently used features – not entirely unlike Audi’s MMI. The screen itself is better integrated into the dash too.

Taken as a whole, the 2009 BMW 750i feels more expensive than it is. At $90,000 it offers a little S63 performance for a sub S550 price.

Certainly the previous 7 series was a very good car – but this new version is better. The curious exterior styling and odd interior ergonomics are gone and the result is a more desireable, more focused luxury performance sedan.