Compare the2022 BMW 7 SeriesVS 2021 Porsche Taycan

The 7 Series has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Taycan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 7 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Taycan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 7 Series has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Taycan doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the 7 Series xDrive’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Taycan doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The 7 Series has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Taycan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 7 Series’ standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Taycan doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The 7 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Taycan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 7 Series and the Taycan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and night vision systems.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 7 Series for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Taycan (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

There are over 81 percent more BMW dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 7 Series’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 7 Series’ reliability 21 points higher than the Taycan.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 7 Series second among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Taycan isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Porsche vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Porsche is ranked 24th.

The 7 Series has more powerful engines than the Taycan:

The 740i’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 597.4 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Taycan’s range is only 227 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 22 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 11 hours.

For more complete vehicle control the 7 Series has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Taycan doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 7 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 2-speed automatic is available for the Taycan.

The 7 Series stops shorter than the Taycan:

For better traction, the 7 Series has larger standard tires than the Taycan (245/50R18 vs. 225/55R19).

The 7 Series’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Taycan’s standard 55 series front tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 7 Series can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Taycan doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 7 Series offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Taycan; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the 7 Series uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Taycan, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The 7 Series has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 7 Series’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Taycan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 7 Series’ wheelbase is 12.2 inches longer than on the Taycan (126.4 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The BMW 7 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 300 pounds less than the Porsche Taycan.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 7 Series has standard flush composite headlights. The Taycan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 7 Series a Large car, while the Taycan is rated a Compact.

The 7 Series has 26 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taycan (114 vs. 88).

The 7 Series has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear headroom, 12.2 inches more rear legroom and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Taycan.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 7 Series’ available rear seats recline. The Taycan’s rear seats don’t recline.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release in the glovebox, the 7 Series offers cargo security. The Taycan’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The 7 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Taycan.

If the windows are left open on the 7 Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Taycan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 7 Series’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Taycan’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the 7 Series has standard extendable sun visors. The Taycan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the 7 Series and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the 7 Series’ passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Taycan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The 7 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Taycan.

Both the 7 Series and the Taycan offer optional massaging front seats. The 7 Series also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the Taycan.

The 7 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Taycan’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 7 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Porsche Taycan isn't recommended.