What is the AAA Car Guide?
The AAA Car Guide helps consumers navigate the evolving automotive marketplace by ranking and rating the newest vehicles, including EVs. The Guide provides consumers with reviews, based on testing by AAA Engineers, highlighting how many advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are included in the vehicle, along with other criteria and information.
BMW i7 M70
Category Ranking : 1
Score : 120.92
Vehicle Type | Base Price | Price As Tested | Large Car Electric | $168,500 | $194,645 |
|---|
Overall Observations
In last year’s AAA Car Guide, the BMW i7 xDrive60 EV was our top-rated large car and the No. 3–ranked vehicle overall. In 2024, BMW one-upped that stellar vehicle with a new, high-performance variant, the M70.
Designed for quicker acceleration and sharper handling, the M70 is the xDrive60 on steroids. Power from its dual electric motors jumps from 536 hp to 650 hp; BMW claims that its 0-to-60 mph time drops by 1 second, to 3.5 seconds; and the base price soars nearly $45,000, to $168,500.
The i7 M70 is indeed a study in superlatives. It’s blazingly fast, with power distributed well throughout its range. And it’s a luxury cruiser as well: Its electronically controlled air suspension pampers occupants with a supremely smooth, quiet ride, soaking up bumps and imperfections in the tarmac. (Its Active Comfort Drive feature scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension accordingly.) And finding a vehicle with a more spacious, luxurious interior than the i70’s would prove a fruitless task.
Negatives for the i7 include a nonintuitive infotainment HVAC system, polarizing exterior front-end styling, and pricey extra-cost options. In sum, though, the i7 M70 does nearly everything exceedingly well. It’s the ultimate— or close to it—in performance, comfort, and luxury.
VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
-
Model year tested:
2024 -
Number of passengers (F/R)
2/3 -
Curb weight (lbs):
5,975 -
Exterior L / W / H (in):
212.2/76.8/60.8 -
Wheelbase (in):
126.6 -
Number of airbags:
9 -
Warranty (month/miles) :
48/50,000 -
Tire manufacturer and model :
Pirelli P Zero -
Front and rear tire size :
255/40 R21 and 285/35 R21 -
Max towing capacity (lbs) :
Not recommended -
Headlight type:
LED -
Transmission type:
Auto 1-speed -
Drivetrain type:
All wheel -
Engine/motor:
Dual electric motors -
Electric motor horsepower
650
PROS
- Immense power and torque
- Comfortable ride
- Plenty of room for all passengers
- Loaded with ADAS
CONS
- Complicated, distracting infotainment/HVAC system
- Polarizing design
- Optional features and packages drive up the bottom line quick
AAA’s Recommendation: Whether you own an electric vehicle or a gas-powered car is up to you – and you should consider lots of factors in making that choice. No matter what type of vehicle you’re choosing, we recommend visiting a dealership, test driving one, and asking as many questions as possible to make an informed decision.
