What Li Gets You

I'm not sure who will be shopping for a long-wheelbase 7 Series. Overseas, they're the executive car of choice, allowing busy CEOs a space to decompress between board meetings. Perhaps there are enough of these power brokers in the U.S. as well, because I can't imagine any affluent parent wanting to pamper even the most spoiled child with backseat digs that are far superior to the driver's in terms of plushness and technological gadgetry.

My test car had option packages checked off en masse. Besides the somewhat pedestrian seat-mounted dual LCD screens that can play a variety of media sources, from DVDs to iPods, there are automatic sunshades on the windows so you can watch a movie even when it's sunny. No matter what you're doing back there, though, the seats are what transform a ride in the 750Li into a luxurious undertaking.

Our tester had upgraded rear seats with ventilation, electronic adjustment and a massage feature. Yes, massaging seats. The giant head restraints felt softer than the four pillows I use in my bed. If I had to be chauffeured cross-country, I think I'd be just fine back there.

    See also:

    Braking: One Step Up, Two Back
    There is an aspect of the 5 Series that we do object to, though, and that's the braking. To be clear, the car stops well enough; it's not a safety concern. The problem is the feel of the braking, ...

    Heat image
    The image shows the heat radiated by objects in the field of view of the camera. Warm objects have a light appearance and cold objects, a dark appearance. The ability to detect an object depen ...

    Malfunctions
    Steering wheel vibration Frequent activation of the steering wheel vibration causes the system to overheat. This causes Active Blind Spot Detection to become deactivated. Let the system cool an ...