The not so “New” 2027 BMW 7 series.

It looks like BMW has decided to make a few revisions to the current, ghastly-looking 7 Series sedan. And while these changes are relatively small, they do improve things at least a little bit. This was never going to be a full redesign, but even modest refinements can make a difference on a car this polarizing.

Of course, when compared to the current version, the grille is slightly smaller, which is always a good thing. BMW grilles had become ridiculous over the past few years, and the 7 Series was one of the worst offenders. The revised front end still isn’t what you’d call elegant, but it feels slightly less aggressive and cartoonish than before, which is already a step in the right direction.

BMW has also decided not to apply its new “Neue Klasse” design language to the 7 Series, at least for now. That decision makes some sense. The overall design is still far too massive and heavy to support a much thinner grille or a more minimalist face. Neue Klasse seems better suited to cleaner, more compact shapes, and forcing it onto the 7 might have made things look awkward rather than futuristic. Although BMW doesn’t seem to mind “awkward”…

However, the upcoming 2027 5 Series will get the all-new front end, and that car already looks far more promising. The proportions are better, and the design appears more restrained, which should appeal to longtime BMW fans who have been increasingly alienated by recent styling choices. 

For some reason, the BMW 7 Series has actually been pretty popular lately, with over 11,300 units sold last year in the US alone. That marked its best sales year in nearly a decade, and it’s doing noticeably better here than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This likely says more about changing luxury buyer priorities than about design purity.

There’s no clear word yet on whether the interior will receive a refresh. Mercedes’ recent S-Class update was extremely minor, almost to the point of being forgettable. BMW might choose to do more, or nothing at all, since the car is already selling well and buyers seem to enjoy the over-the-top tech-focused cabin.

The i7 electric version, however, will probably see more meaningful updates. EV technology is evolving rapidly, and BMW would be wise to improve range, efficiency, and charging speeds. That’s where real progress matters, far more than another controversial styling experiment.