BMW 7 Series saloon (2008-2015) - Practicality & boot space
Space inside the BMW 7 Series is competitive, but it falls behind the similarly luxurious Range Rover for practicality
The 7 Series’ size means there’s loads of room on offer. The boot is spacious, the interior is light and airy and there are plenty of storage spaces dotted around the cabin.
While the 7 Series is certainly practical, it still can’t match the ultimate versatility of a luxury SUV like the Range Rover, which costs around the same as a mid-range 7 Series.
BMW 7 Series interior space and storage
Like most luxury limousines, the 7 Series offers cavernous space for those fortunate enough to sit in the back. The rear bench has three seats as standard, but the centre seat’s backrest can be lowered – it houses controls for the electronically adjustable outer seats and even controls for the satellite navigation. The long-wheelbase models are the most comfortable and practical for passengers because of their extra leg and headroom, but even the standard model is more than roomy enough.
The 7 Series also boasts a number of storage spaces, including two front cup-holders in the centre console that are covered by a neat soft-closing lid. The glovebox is a good size and there’s a covered storage space by the driver’s right knee, but the front door bins are reserved for small items due to their thin opening.
Boot space
The 7 Series’ long saloon body does make the boot shape a little awkward, although it's low enough to get heavier items in the back easily and the deep floor is beneficial if you’ve been to IKEA for a new wardrobe. The 500 litres of space is decent, but both the Mercedes S Class and Audi A8 boots are marginally larger, providing 10 and 20 litres more space respectively.
The 7 Series ActiveHybrid model sacrifices some boot space in to accommodate its batteries, but this is true for many hybrid cars – from small hatchbacks to limos.
