Longer wheel base with a smaller footprint
They say money can't buy happiness, but that's usually the kind of thing you hear from people without an overabundance of finances (like us), and also someone who's never experienced the BMW 740Le. The long-bodied executive sedan is packed with luxuries, on top of the added bonus of the slight bit of environmental consciousness that comes with driving a hybrid. There's really only one question you need to ask: do you want to be the driver or the passenger?
It's wrong to call it entry level, but in terms of BMW's long wheel based 7-series cars, it is the first step in. It may have less power than its siblings but when you're draped in leather and luxury, entry level is the last thing on your mind. The vehicle's presence, interior and smooth drive destroys any notion that you could ever want for more.
The 740Le is all about the interior and the experience of the ride. This starts with the seats, with supple leather and a generous level of adjustments, only hinting at the full comfort on tap. First - there's the massaging function. Though not very strong, its excellent and a much welcomed luxury that helps you soak up the kilometres on those long drives. The extended wheelbase - denoted by the "L" in the model name - provides added legroom for the rear passengers, enough for even the tallest of riders. When paired with the $10,000 Executive Tier 2 pack, the 740Le is transformed into a silent limo. Tier 2 comes with even more luxury - including a sleep setting for the rear seat, which pushes the front passenger seat far forward, providing even more legroom and footrest for the lucky bastard in the back. The headrests even have side bolsters so as not to strain your one-percenter neck. There is even a small table that folds out from the center console if work needs to be done, or grey poupon to be applied to your artisanal hot dog. Of course, with all this love given to the back seats, you will lose some function in the front passenger seat. But chauffeurs don't need friends. Just a destination. But back to the good stuff. The arm rests, on both the doors and in the centre, are heated.
The Executive Tier 2 pack adds some tech features as well. Two large tablet-like screens, attached to the back of the front seats, letting the rear-seat VIP's watch various media sources, control the music, view the GPS and more. An undockable Android tablet set in the center console also lets rear passengers control comfort options including seat positions, massage settings, heated or cooled seat settings, lighting and even privacy screens, to further separate yourself from the plebeian rabble.
The tech features upfront aren't lacking either, even without the Executive Tier 2 package. A Heads Up Display and adaptive cruise control are among the available features. You'll also find BMW's gesture control system, letting you wave your hands in front of the centre console to change the volume, skip to the next song, adjust the view of the 360 degree camera and more. Plenty of driving cameras are included as well, making the seemingly daunting task of parking a massive sedan surprisingly easy. The cabin lighting is well integrated into the design of the interior, flowing through the dash and the doors, filling the car with a soft glow in the colour of your choice.
The drive is - in a word - smooth, with absorbent shocks and a smooth-shifting transmission, the road feels like it's faded away beneath you. Power is delivered by a 4-cylinder engine aided by an electric motor. It does seem odd to pair such a massive vehicle with a tiny engine, but when paired with the electric motor, it won't leave you wanting for more. Just don't expect it to keep up with something like the M760Li (reviewed here). But it doesn't need to. This is the green option; the carbon-conscience choice. The 740Le is the for those who want the luxury but are also aware of emissions.
We've mentioned how the 740Le is a more eco friendly option - so how does it actually do as a green car? If you thought the engine was small, the battery is even smaller. On a full charge you could get about 30km in full electric, down to 24 if you'd like some AC. That range is fine for short trips like getting groceries, taking the kids to school, or having the help drive you from your estate to your horse stable. But any more than that and you'll be using the unassisted 4-cylinder engine. We would have liked to see more electric range ultimately.
Trunk space is deep, but with the addition of the battery and the charger compartments, you lose quite a bit of space compared to its siblings.
The 740Le is a fantastic vehicle, with a nearly unmatched level of luxury suitable to its starting price of $126k CAD. Power is lower than we'd expect - as is the electric range, but chances are you won't be thinking about that as you sit in massaging seats in the lap of comfort and luxury. If power is a concern, the 745Le has been added to the line up, though some may be turned off from the ever-expanding BMW front grill. Get yourself in a 740Le with the Executive Tier 2 pack and spend your time in the rear lounge seat. You won't even think about the smaller engine then.
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