This generation of the 7 Series is long wheelbase only (at 3215mm), so inside there is plenty of rear leg room. I put my 6ft 5in pal in the back and even he managed to stretch out. Our test car has the optional £11,025 Executive pack, which means the incredible 31in drop-down rear screen and airline-style reclining chairs. It’s certainly one heck of a statement piece, but it would be nice if the screen was a bit further away. As it is, it feels a bit like sitting in the front row of the cinema. All cars also come with touchscreens in the rear doors, dubbed BMW Touch Command, which work well and double as another way to keep the kids entertained. 

Up front, life is equally luxurious. The leather feels suitably soft and expensive, while the vast wraparound screen works well in a car of this size (unlike in the smaller BMWs, where it dominates too much). Climate controls are in the touchscreen (booo), but at least the major functions such as media and nav can be controlled by buttons next to the iDrive controller, the rotary version of which remains. Why on earth BMW has ditched this system on cars like the iX1 remains one of the great mysteries of the age. 

It’s not a classy, understated environment like the Range Rover’s, but for where this car will sell (China, the US), you can understand why BMW has styled it like it has. I actually don’t mind the crystal-effect plastic running around the dash, but it won’t be to everyone’s tastes.