Diesel’s Enduring Appeal: The 2025 BMW 740d Review
Across Europe, the popularity of diesel engines in passenger vehicles appears to be waning. Last year, less than 10% of new car sales on the continent were diesel-powered, a significant drop from over 50% a decade ago. As someone who grew up in Europe and appreciates the characteristics of turbocharged oil burners, I find these developments bittersweet. However, some exceptional diesel engines continue to exist, and one fantastic example can be found under the hood of the latest BMW 740d.
For those on the other side of the Atlantic, the idea of a diesel engine in a large, high-end sedan might seem unusual. Yet, in Europe, we have a long history of embracing diesel-powered luxury cars, and we still appreciate them. The 740d, based on the G70 generation, is the latest in a line of 7 Series diesel models, and even in 2025, it still makes a compelling case for itself. Let’s explore why.
Diesel Powerhouse
The G70 diesel is powered by the B57 3-liter straight-six engine. In the 740d, this engine produces 296 horsepower (300 PS) and a substantial 494 lb-ft (670 Nm) of torque. This engine’s muscular feel and smooth operation is enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which integrates a small electric motor that provides extra torque, smoother engine startups, and improved efficiency.
Compared to the previous generation, the G11, which produced 335 horsepower (340 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), BMW has slightly reduced the output of the 740d. The G11 was also approximately 496 pounds (225 kg) lighter. Naturally, it had a quicker sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5 seconds, which is eight-tenths faster than the G70. While I haven’t driven a G11 740d with mild-hybrid technology, it must feel impressively fast.
Familiar Diesel Character
Despite the power and torque figures not seeming extraordinary by today’s standards, the BMW six-cylinder diesel exhibits the same character. The 740d feels eager and powerful on the road. When unleashing its power it offers more than adequate acceleration from both a standstill and a rolling start.
The noise you hear inside the cabin is pleasant, luxurious, and nothing like the sounds of agricultural equipment running on the type of fuel. Having a diesel engine under the hood doesn’t detract from the luxury offered by any other powertrain configuration of the G70, and it has the advantage of low fuel consumption as well.
Remarkable Fuel Consumption
The 740d, which comes standard with xDrive all-wheel drive, is rated by BMW at between 38.5 and 34.6 mpg (6.1 and 6.8 l/100km), which is remarkable for such a large vehicle. During my driving, I achieved an average of 29.8 mpg (7.9 l/100km), primarily in city driving. It’s similar to what I get from my 2010 320d with a manual transmission under similar conditions. The fact that this a much larger vehicle with a bigger engine and two more cylinders is impressive.
Having also driven two i7s and a 750e, I can say I’ve experienced the G70 with other engines, and the 740d is my top pick due to its blend of torque, efficiency, and effortlessness. I appreciate its sound and the low-revving nature of diesel engines. This gives any car a more relaxed character and considerable low-end pulling power.
Supreme Comfort and Refinement
I am familiar with and enjoy the rest of the G70 package. With BMW no longer providing short and stretched versions of the 7 Series, the standard model has a 126.6-inch (3.215-meter) wheelbase, which is nearly six inches longer than on the G11. This improves the ride comfort, and not only makes the interior feel roomier, but also with the standard rear-wheel steering system, it feels agile and not as daunting as you might imagine when maneuvering in tight spaces.
Combining this semi-extended wheelbase with air suspension results in a car with a genuinely outstanding ride. While in previous 7 Series generations, you could argue that the BMW had a slightly firmer and harsher ride than its primary rival, the Mercedes S-Class, it is no longer the case with the G70.
In fact, the opposite may now be true, with the W223 S-Class feeling sportier and more hunkered-down. The G70 is about as sporty to drive as one of BMW’s SUVs, partly due to the vehicle being noticeably taller than any prior generation of the model, as well as the vehicle’s overall size and heft.
Riding in the G70 is similar to being inside a Rolls-Royce. You sit up high, the cabin is beautifully assembled, and it isolates you from the outside world. With automatic doors that open or close at the touch of a button, there’s no reason not to draw Rolls-Royce comparisons.
Mile-Munching Capabilities
My test vehicle also had the optional M pack, which isn’t necessary for a 7 Series, but it adds sportier bumpers, distinct wheel designs, and a sport steering wheel inside. Apparently, this option includes some suspension software tuning, but it didn’t seem to significantly change body movement in this car, which pitches, dives and rolls from side to side like a true luxury car should.
This soft and floaty feel of the suspension is why you would buy a car like this. While the best place in the car is the rear right seat, it is also a lot of fun to drive. Active roll stabilization can be specified on the G70, but my test car did not have it, and I didn’t miss it. The pronounced body movement gave the car some extra character.
Driving this car on longer journeys is incredibly relaxing and offers a sense of occasion. I cannot stress enough how comfortable the ride is, even with the large 21-inch wheels. It feels capable of taking you across the continent without either the car or yourself breaking a sweat. Despite its weight and huge frontal area, this car returns under 6 l/100km when driven constantly at highway speeds, even though you are most likely wealthy enough not to care about fuel economy.
It is impressive how BMW made something that has a drag coefficient of 0.26 for how it looks, and this partly explains why there isn’t any perceivable wind noise inside the car, even at high speeds. The optional acoustic glass with double glazing is a must-have option on a 7 Series and is also important here. While cruising, you don’t feel engine vibrations and don’t hear it much. You can simply enjoy the ride and the outstanding Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system. If you’re in the back, you will enjoy one of the biggest screens in the business, a 41-inch 8K TV that retracts when it isn’t in use.
Striking Exterior, Luxurious Interior
The G70’s interior design may be a considerable departure from BMW’s design language of the last two decades, but once you get used to the futuristic minimalism, it becomes cozy and cosseting. Having such a simple and monolithic-looking dashboard is elegant, and the crystal ambient lighting strip running its width adds to the ambiance. Great attention seems to have been paid to the mixing and matching of materials (leather, metal, wood, and plastic).
The Gran Lusso BMW Individual pack gives the car leather everywhere, including on the dashboard, the door cards, and almost any place that you would likely see it. It also upgrades the upholstery to Merino leather and adds an Alcantara headliner. Having experienced the cashmere wool upholstery, the most expensive option on the G70, in an i7, leather will probably never feel as luxurious. However, it felt fantastic in my test vehicle.
One of the Best Luxury Cars Ever Made
While the G70 may not go down in history as the prettiest 7 Series—I think that distinction goes to the E38—it is undoubtedly among the very best luxury cars ever made. I hope the soon-to-be-released facelift softens the exterior slightly because it currently flaunts its presence a bit too much. Not all 7 Series buyers want to flaunt their wealth, and some prefer a subdued brand of luxury that it cannot currently offer.
One commonality that the G70 shares with previous generations is that having a diesel under the hood doesn’t result in any notable drawbacks. You genuinely wouldn’t be able to identify it as a diesel even at idle. In fact, if you’re from Europe, I advise you to consider the diesel of the G70 you’re configuring because diesels might soon be phased out, and you’ll be driving a historic vehicle.
