BMW: Manufacturer Review

BMW is one of the most respected car manufacturers, offering a huge range of vehicles with each retaining the marque’s signature agility. Enthusiasts love them for how they drive, modern luxury-seekers often become repeat customers, and its new electric car range is amongst the best out there. In fact, the BMW i4 is a multi-award-winning EV!

If variety is the spice of life, then BMW has you covered because there is a car in just about every shape and size with petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains on offer.

Let’s kick-off with BMW’s pure electric offering

BMW EVs are typically denoted by beginning with the letter ‘i’ the series number then relates to its size, and the brand now has something for all lifestyles. The BMW i4 represents a sleek saloon with an up to 366-mile range, while the i5 provides a more traditional luxury offering. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate in executive luxury, the BMW i7 is a class leader in terms of technology – it can even be optioned with a widescreen that deploys from the roof to create a rear-seat cinema!

If an all-electric SUV is more your cup of tea, the iX1 provides a great entry point with its compact proportions. The iX3 is a highly accomplished family SUV with up to 285 miles of range and boot space for several Labradors. Need more room? The quirky BMW iX promises acres of space and a rather futuristic interior.

The traditional range

The BMW 1 Series is a premium hatchback that rivals the likes of the popular Mercedes-Benz A-Class. A modern interior and plenty of technology makes for something of a baby executive car with the added practicality of a hatchback. You have the choice of petrol or diesel power.

BMW’s 2 Series actually has three body styles in the form of a sporty coupe, four-door Gran Coupe should you need some added practicality, and the highly versatile Active Tourer that will happily accommodate a growing family. All are available in petrol and diesel guises, with the Active Tourer also configurable as a plug-in hybrid for optimum efficiency around town and lower BiK.

A household name, the BMW 3 series has been the executive saloon of choice for decades. This four-door saloon can be equipped with some seriously impressive technology to go with its talented chassis that keen drivers will adore. Petrol, diesel, and a BiK-reducing plug-in hybrid model are all up for grabs. Need room for the dog? The 3 Series Touring provides an estate option should it be needed.

The BMW 4 Series has a wide array of varying body styles including coupe, stylish convertible and four-door Gran Coupe. All are petrol-powered, but the all-electric BMW i4 provides a zero-emissions solution. If you’re feeling the need for speed but want an EV, the i4 M50 ticks both boxes.

BMW’s 5 Series remains a firm favourite thanks to its masterful blend of executive comfort and agile handling. Providing more space than a 3 Series, the saloon comes with a selection of petrol engines, while the excellent Touring model not only offers more practicality, but also diesel and plug-in hybrid options. The new BMW i5 is for those wanting a 5 Series but looking for a zero emission vehicle.

The latest BMW 7 Series is one of the most luxurious machines on the road. Serving as a technology showcase for the brand, you can option this vehicle with everything from clever suspension that scans the road ahead for imperfections, to a windscreen cinema display that folds down from the roof to entertain rear occupants. The standard 7 Series is petrol only, but the longer wheelbase that affords even more rear legroom can also be had as a plug-in hybrid. This car’s electric sibling, the i7, is one of the most accomplished electric cars money can buy, supplying sublime comfort and leading EV platform.

All of BMW’s SUVs are denoted by the letter X and largely mirror the format of their car siblings. Odd numbers are more focused on practicality, while even numbers add some extra design distinction. The larger the number, the larger the car. The range begins with the X1, X2, and X3 – all available as petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid vehicles. A coupe-inspired X4 is only petrol or diesel, while the popular X5 adds a plug-in option. X6 and luxurious X7 join the party as petrol or diesel, while the high-performance XM is plug-in hybrid only.

Of course, the ultimate in BMW performance are the cars created by its M division. Based on just about every BMW model going, these are the performance variants of already highly capable cars.

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