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.
Jerry
is here to help you choose your next luxury BMW—and find the cheapest BMW car insurance
! More than just a licensed insurance broker
, Jerry is your all-around guide to the BMW luxury brand.Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Check your rate
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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.
MORE:Are BMWs good cars?
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) |
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
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 |
MORE:
The best BMW hybrids
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
. Buying the first policy you find is a big mistake—that’s why the Jerry
app is here to help. Once you enter some basic information, Jerry will immediately scan its network of over 55 insurance providers to find the best offers for your driver profile and preferred level of coverage. Compare the most competitive quotes to find the most affordable policy that works for you and your luxury BMW, and our insurance experts will help you switch—all in the app!
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!
RECOMMENDED
Jerry automatically checks if you are paying the lowest price for your insurance, for free.
Instantly compare top insurance companies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What insurance do you want to compare?
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience 👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Is BMW more luxurious than Mercedes-Benz?
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.
Are BMW cars expensive?
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
.Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?
Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month
4.7You might also be interested
