The most obvious comparison for the BMW i7 is the Tesla Model S, which is the most well-known electric luxury automobile. Most Tesla Model S purchasers, on the other hand, are unlikely to consider the i7. The Mercedes-Benz EQS will be the BMW i7’s more natural rival.
To begin with, Mercedes-Benz is BMW’s biggest adversary, making the EQS the i7’s closest competition. However, they both provide equivalent levels of luxury, significantly above what the Model S provides. With that stated, now that the BMW i7 is now out, let’s see how the two designs compare.
The two automobiles couldn’t be more dissimilar from the outside. With immensely imposing kidney grilles, dazzling split headlights, and LED illuminated grille trim, the BMW i7 is large, aggressive, and arrogant. The Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, on the other hand, is significantly more conventional in appearance, at least in terms of EVs. Its grille, although not technically a grille, is more conventionally fashioned, and its headlights seem to be headlights. To be honest, I prefer the EQS’s face, but it’s also rather dull, so I’d go with the Bimmer.
View of a Profile
In terms of profile, the BMW i7 clearly wins. While the i7 isn’t exactly a supermodel, the EQS looks like a melting jelly bean. With its three-box form, towering roofline, and Hofmeister Kink, the BMW i7 resembles a conventional BMW sedan. That may not seem attractive, but it’s handsome and elegant, while the EQS is plain.
I believe the EQS looks better from the rear. Its rear light bar is more aesthetically appealing than the i7’s standard 7 Series lights, and the way its rear haunches flare out beyond its pillars gives it considerable presence. From the back, the BMW i7 is so unobtrusive that it’s practically dull. There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s simply not especially intriguing.
Their exteriors, however, take a second place to their interiors. Take a peek at these. Both vehicles have really stunning interiors, complete with sci-fi-looking technology, enough ambient lighting to embarrass a German nightclub, and just ludicrous levels of luxury.
Design of Interiors
The EQS’ Hyperscreen is significantly more stunning looking from the front passenger compartment than BMW’s iDrive 8 (I’ve heard Hyperscreen may be unpleasant to use, but I’ve never used it, so I can’t compare their usage, just their appearance). Taking up all of that real estate with a large screen, on the other hand, makes it seem less premium. The i7, on the other hand, seems to be a good blend of old-school elegance and cutting-edge technology. The way BMW replaced the typical dash and door panel trim with a crystal-effect light bar is a clever design that complements the natural wood trim higher up on the dash superbly.
In the rear, the BMW i7 — and I can’t believe I’m saying this about a 7 Series/S-Class comparison — easily outperforms the EQS. The rear seat of an EQS is lovely, but it’s nothing near as interesting as the back seat of an i7. Not only do both back seat passengers in the i7 have their own small displays fitted into their door panels to manage everything from ambient lighting to temperature, but there’s also an optional 8k cinema screen that folds down. It’s so sumptuous and stunning that you’d assume it’s the rear of an S-Class…
I’ve done what seems like a thousand picture comparisons of the 7 Series versus S-Class, and the S-Class has won every single one of them. Until now. Not only is the BMW i7 more physically appealing, but it also offers a more comfortable cabin. That’s right, I said it.
