2026 BMW i7 50 xDrive Review: Luxury EV Gains Local Assembly
The locally assembled 2026 BMW i7 50 xDrive, priced at Rs 1.95 crore, aims to dominate India's luxury EV market with a 728km claimed range and a redesigned
The 2026 BMW i7 50 xDrive is now locally assembled in India and priced at Rs 1.95 crore, exactly matching the petrol 740 model. According to Autocar India, BMW expects this move to further increase the electric sedan's sales, which already account for about 60 percent of 7 Series purchases since its 2023 launch.
A significantly more powerful i7 M70 xDrive variant is also available as a full import for Rs 2.65 crore. This Rs 70 lakh premium is likely to limit its appeal, making the i7 50 xDrive the expected sweet spot for most buyers.
Exterior Design and Engineering
BMW has made substantial styling changes. The daytime running lamps are now longer and slimmer with a crystalline effect. The oversized illuminated kidney grille has been redesigned, while the air dam is more rectangular and the headlamps are vertically oriented. Excessive black trim has been removed.
New 20-inch alloy wheels replace the previous 21-inch units. While some may find them slightly undersized, they contribute to improved ride comfort with higher-profile tyres. The rear features a cleaner design with a new diffuser, broader tail-lamps and a neater bumper. The test car's optional two-tone paint finish gave it immense road presence.
Interior Space and Comfort
The dashboard is completely redesigned, previewing BMW's future interior direction. The conventional instrument cluster is gone. In its place is a new panoramic head-up display at the base of the windscreen. It projects a wealth of customisable information, from speed and charge status to navigation and even BMW Art Car graphics.
The new octagonal steering wheel is divisive. Its unconventional shape and light-coloured finish, which may be difficult to keep clean, are offset by pleasant ergonomics. A new 17.9-inch free-standing touchscreen and a smaller passenger display, both in a parallelogram shape, are introduced.
Generous ambient lighting, crystalline details for controls, silver speaker grilles and a light cabin theme elevate the luxury. All four seats are supremely comfortable with heating, ventilation and massage functions. The rear-left seat has a one-touch relaxation mode that creates a lounge-like position. A spare wheel mounted on the boot floor still compromises luggage capacity.
Features and Safety
The i7 50 M Sport is feature-laden. The panoramic head-up display is highly customisable. The 17.9-inch touchscreen has new shortcut keys and permanent climate controls, though its interface remains overwhelming with functions buried in sub-menus.
A front passenger entertainment display is new but may see limited use. The 31.3-inch 8K rear theatre screen is likely more relevant for long journeys. Powered doors open and close with a button press.
The audio highlight is the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos and 35 speakers. It delivers a 4D experience with a pronounced thump felt through the seats, creating an immersive experience for audiophiles.
Performance and Refinement
The dual-motor setup produces 483hp and 660Nm. Efficient mode provides ample torque for daily driving. Acceleration is rapid.
| Performance Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| 0-100kph | 5.5 seconds |
| 0-200kph | Under 19 seconds |
Owners can activate synthetic motor sounds through the speakers or switch them off for silence. Multiple regenerative braking settings are available, with Adaptive mode intelligently varying regeneration based on conditions. A dedicated one-pedal 'B' mode can bring the car to a complete stop.
Range and Efficiency
The car gets a larger 112.5kWh battery, replacing the previous 101.7kWh unit. It claims a WLTP range of up to 728km. Autocar India expects it to comfortably deliver over 500km in real-world conditions.
| Charging Method | Claimed Time (10-80% / Full) |
|---|---|
| 250kW+ DC Fast Charger | 28 minutes |
| 22kW AC Charger | Approximately 6 hours |
**Ride Comfort and Handling**
The i7's light steering and rear-axle steering, which turns the rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees, make it remarkably agile despite its size. Ride quality is pillowy, with thick tyres helping it shrug off broken roads and potholes effortlessly.
Selecting Sport mode firms up the air suspension and improves body control without sacrificing comfort. It also lowers the ride height by 10mm from the standard 136mm, which can make the underbody vulnerable on speed breakers. The ride height can be raised via the touchscreen.
