BMW S750

Engines and transmissions are at the top of the short list of highlights. Every engine here, from the 740i’s 320-hp turbocharged inline-six to the M760i’s insane 601-hp twin-turbo V-12, is velvety smooth and feels more muscular than official horsepower figures indicate. Even the 745e plug-in, with its combination of turbocharged six-cylinder engine and electric motor, is powerful and manages to drive with a natural feel that’s absent from most hybrids. Each 7-series shares some variation of the same slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (xDrive in BMW marketing-speak) is optional on the 740i and standard on the rest of the lineup. No matter which drive mode you select, the suspension is pillowy soft and body control is in short supply.