Is BMW a Luxury Car?

Find the best BMW luxury car for you with our guide.
Written by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Branded as the Ultimate Driving Machine, BMW is often lauded as a favorite luxury brand on the American market for its posh styling and reputation as a status symbol.
BMW has a long history in the luxury vehicle segment, with high-end models dating back to the release of the 7 Series in 1977—and a long line-up of lightweight sports cars before then. Originally praised for their satisfying connection to the road, BMW has recently turned its focus to interior niceties and high-end tech.
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Is BMW a luxury car?

BMW is one of the most esteemed luxury car brands on the American market. Originally known for
its production of sports cars
, the brand has gone through just about every segment possible—from the station wagons of yesterday to the sedans, SUVs, and EVs of tomorrow. While this automaker has changed much over the years, one luxury factor will always remain—BMW is synonymous with status.

What makes a luxury car?

Elevated style, sporty performance, and a certain je ne sais quoi that pulls you in and keeps you there. These are all traits of BMW vehicles that have pushed the brand up the luxury food chain. While certain cars have integrated these values differently, one thing remains the same—every BMW model is a luxury car. Here’s why:
  • “Ultimate Driving Machine”: BMW prides itself on powerful engines in all of its vehicles—but especially its enhanced-performance M-class. 
  • State-of-the-art tech: Standard and available advanced infotainment, connectivity, and driver-assistance features elevate your driving experience.
  • Iconic classic styling: From instantly-recognizable exteriors to posh interiors lined with high-end leather, wood, and aluminum finishings, BMWs look as good as they feel.

Is BMW a good luxury brand?

BMW has a good reputation as a luxury brand, but whether or not it's a good brand for you will depend on what you’re looking for. It’s worth noting that the prioritization for performance that defined earlier years of BMW luxury has started to shift towards advanced technology and interior comfort. The impressive powertrains don’t shine quite as bright as they used to compared to the vehicle’s other features.
Still, a BMW is characterized by an exquisite driver’s experience, so no matter what direction the company has decided to go in, the luxury is still top-notch quality. Its reputation for reliability leaves room for improvement, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more luxurious competitor than
Mercedes-Benz

The best BMW luxury cars

BMW’s line-up of luxury cars seems almost never-ending. Some of the most popular current models include the 3-Series sedan, the X7 full-size SUV, and the all-electric iX.

BMW 3-Series

The
BMW 3-Series
exemplifies BMW athleticism, even at the entry-luxury level with a 2023 starting price of $43,295. This sedan recently saw a major tech upgrade, including an all-digital display stretching across two-thirds of the car’s dashboard. 
Drivers have three powertrains to choose from, including a turbocharged I-6 and a plug-in-hybrid option, but the standard turbocharged four-cylinder is enough to rev your spiritual engine. Three suspension systems are also available, including BMW’s signature M Sport tuning and a Dynamic Handling package with adaptive dampers.
Standard features include:
  • Combined 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment display
  • BMW’s iDrive 8 interface with navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 5G LTE hotspot
  • Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
  • Two-way power-adjustable front seats with driver memory controls
  • Remote keyless entry with proximity power start
  • Automatic stop/start engine feature
  • Automatic LED high/low beams with auto-leveling adaptive direction
  • Automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
Available features include a heads-up display, Harman/Kardon stereo system, and advanced driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. On top of that well-appointed base model, you can add the Technology Package, A-Spec Package, or Advance Package—or upgrade to the performance-tuned Type S. BMW’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is also available.
Key Specs
2023 BMW 330i
2023 BMW 330e
2023 BMW M340i
Engine
255-hp turbocharged 2.0-L I-4
288-hp turbocharged 2.0-L I-4 with an electric motor
382-hp turbocharged 3.0-L I-6
Transmission
Eight-speed automatic
Eight-speed automatic
Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive (standard) OR xDrive All-Wheel Drive (optional)
Rear-wheel drive (standard) OR xDrive All-Wheel Drive (optional)
Rear-wheel drive (standard) OR xDrive All-Wheel Drive (optional)
0 to 60
5.3 seconds to 4.9 seconds
5.6 seconds
4.1 seconds
EPA fuel economy (mpg)
30 combined/26 city/36 hwy (RWD) OR 28 combined/25 city/34 hwy (AWD)
28 combined, 76 combined MPGe, 23-mile all-electric driving range (RWD) OR 25 combined, 67 combined MPGe, 20-mile all-electric driving range  (AWD)
26 combined/23 city/31 hwy (RWD) OR 26 combined/23 city/32 hwy (AWD)
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BMW X7

At the other end of the spectrum is the
BMW X7
, a luxury three-row SUV with a starting price of $78,845 for the 2023 model year. Although this is the largest vehicle in BMW’s line-up, it rides just as smoothly and impressively as its smallest sedan. Plus, it has a maximum towing capacity of 5950 pounds—enough for a small travel trailer.
The X7 features the same combined digital dashboard panel with BMW’s iDrive 8 interface, as well as a boatload of other standard features:
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Heated, power-adjustable front seats with 4-way power lumbar support
  • Power-adjustable steering wheel
  • Power-folding second and third-row seats for third-row access or cargo expansion
  • Ambient interior lighting
  • Advanced driver-assistance features, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and forward-collision warning.
No PHEV powertrain here, but the standard gas-powered V6 and optional M-series V8 provide an incredibly satisfying ride. A top-tier Alpina BX7 trim is anticipated for release with an additional power boost.
Key Specs
2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i
2023 BMW X7 M60i
Engine
375-hp turbocharged 3.0-L V6
523-hp turbocharged 4.4-L V8
Transmission
Eight-speed automatic
Eight-speed automatic
Drivetrain
xDrive all-wheel drive
xDrive all-wheel drive
0 to 60
5.6 seconds
4.7 seconds
Towing Capacity
5400 pounds
5950 pounds
EPA fuel economy (mpg )
18 combined/16 city /21 hwy

BMW iX

Heralding in the future of BMW electric cars is the iX, a new all-electric addition to the luxury brand’s line-up of SUVs. Starting at $85,095, the 2023 iX draws heavily on the design of the popular
BMW X5
, but with two electric motors pumping 516 horsepower to all four wheels. 
The iX battery sets high expectations for BMW’s electric performance. It has an EPA-rated driving range of 324 miles and a 10-to-80% recharge time of just 35 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Once again, a dashboard-stretching digital display with all the iDrive 8 infotainment and connectivity we’ve seen before is standard. Other standard and optional features include:
  • 18-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system (standard) or an upgraded 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
  • Heated power-adjustable front seats with integrated speakers
  • Panoramic sunroof with electrochromic shading
  • Faux leather, genuine leather, and microfiber cloth upholsteries
  • Adjustable air suspension
  • Rear wheel steering
  • Standard driver assistance features include lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
  • Available driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous driving mode.
Key Specs
2023 BMW iX xDrive50
2023 BMW iX M60
Engine
516-hp dual electric motor
532-hp dual electric motors
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
0 to 60
4.0 seconds
3.3 seconds
EPA fuel economy (MPGe)
86 combined/86 city/87 hwy

BMW luxury M-models

BMW M—the M stands for Motorsports—is the luxury brand’s performance division, born out of its racing engineering during the early 1970s. Today, the BMW M line is a line-up of upgrades across many of the manufacturer’s standard models. These upgrades are developed and designed for the performance-oriented driver’s dream
M models are available across many of BMW’s numbered Series and X series models, as well as its electric models. Popular models include the ones we’ve already talked about, as well as the 503-hp 2023 BMW M4 coupe, starting at $74,700, the 600-hp 2023 BMW X5 M, starting at $108,900, and the 536-hp 2023 BMW i4 M50, starting at $67,300.

How to save on BMW insurance with Jerry

All-in-all, it’s hard to go wrong when you’re behind the wheel of a BMW luxury car, but it is easy to go wrong on your BMW
car insurance
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Just because you can afford a luxury vehicle doesn’t mean you should be stuck with overpriced insurance. With Jerry, the average user saves over $800 a year!
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FAQs

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are neck-in-neck competitors, but deciding which one is more luxurious can be a little subjective. BMW’s crowning reputation as “The Ultimate Driving Machine” is hard to ignore, but many drivers report that Mercedes-Benz offers better value when it comes to standard features.
BMW’s line-up covers a wide range of price tags—whether or not a specific model is expensive is up for you to judge. That said, even the least expensive Bimmers can be
considerably expensive to maintain
.
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