“Awesome power and fun to drive. Interior display is disappointing monitor protruding awkwardly from dash instead of smoothly incorporating in the dash like Mercedes or Land Rover.”
2021 BMW 7 Series: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 13, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 BMW 7 Series is that Drive Recorder becomes standard across the lineup. Otherwise, this is a light equipment update with no major changes to the engines, styling, safety hardware, or chassis.
About the 2021 BMW 7 Series
6th generation 7 Series (G11/G12), second year after the 2020 refresh and the year before the final 2022 carryover.
BMW positions the 7 Series as its flagship full-size luxury sedan: a large executive car that mixes rear-seat comfort, strong straight-line performance, and a driver-focused digital cockpit. Compared with rivals, the 7 Series leans harder into driving feel than a traditional limo-style luxury sedan, while still offering air suspension, rich cabin materials, advanced parking and safety tech, and a broad engine range that spans a turbo six, plug-in hybrid, V8, V12, and ALPINA performance version.
The 2021 7 Series remains a comfort-focused flagship sedan, starting with the six-cylinder 740i and extending to the 745e plug-in hybrid. The 750i adds V8 power and a richer cabin, while the ALPINA B7 and M760i sit at the top with 600-hp V8 and V12 engines, respectively.
What changed, by category
Tech
Drive Recorder becomes standard across the 7 Series lineup. Remote engine start becomes standard on the 740i, 740i xDrive, and 750i xDrive, while heated front seats, heated front armrests, and a heated steering wheel become standard equipment on the main BMW-branded trims.
2021 BMW 7 Series specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 6-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter | V12, Twin Turbo, 6.6 Liter | V8, Twin Turbo, 4.4 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes | Automatic, 8-Spd Sport w/Sport & Manual Modes |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | 17 mpg | 13 mpg | 17 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 29 mpg | 27 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | 24 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 335 hp | 335 hp | 389 hp | 523 hp | 601 hp | 600 hp |
| Torque | 331 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 331 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft | 627 lb-ft | 590 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 18.2 cu-ft | 18.2 cu-ft | 14.8 cu-ft | 18.2 cu-ft | 18.2 cu-ft | 18.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 44.4 in | 44.4 in | 44.4 in | 44.4 in | 44.4 in | 44.4 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Electric Range | 17 | |||||
| MPGe Combined | 56 | |||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Head-Up Display | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Massage Front Seat | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||
| Ventilated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 BMW 7 Series?
The biggest change is standard Drive Recorder across the 2021 BMW 7 Series lineup, including the ALPINA B7. It uses the car’s cameras to record driving footage.
Was the 2021 BMW 7 Series redesigned?
No, the 2021 BMW 7 Series was not redesigned. It is the second model year after the major 2020 refresh and receives only light equipment updates.
Did the 2021 BMW 7 Series get new engines?
No, the 2021 BMW 7 Series carries over its existing powertrains. The range still includes a turbocharged six-cylinder, a plug-in hybrid, V8 models, and the M760i’s V12.
What equipment became standard on the 2021 BMW 7 Series?
Drive Recorder becomes standard across the lineup. The main BMW-branded trims also gain standard heated front seats, heated front armrests, and a heated steering wheel, while remote engine start becomes standard on the 740i, 740i xDrive, and 750i xDrive.
How does the 2021 BMW 7 Series compare with the 2020 model?
The 2021 BMW 7 Series is mostly the same mechanically and visually as the 2020 model. Its main advantages are standard Drive Recorder and added standard comfort equipment on the regular BMW trims.
2021 BMW 7 Series Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 BMW 7 Series.
4.3
2021 BMW 7 Series
(134 reviews)
“The car is great, safe, powerful and comfortable. Have all the latest technology and looks great. The only one not amazing comment I have is that the backup camera is not great”
“The 740i is more like a Cadillac than a sports car. It is very comfortable, has all the bells and whistles, but is too heavy to be a high performance car.”