As luxury cars go, it might be impossible to do better than the 2011 BMW 7-Series sedan, which offers one of the most complete and satisfying experiences of any vehicle on the road. The only question is, where are you sitting?

If you're behind the wheel most of the time, then the base 750i is all you'll need and want, boasting a ton of features and excellent performance at a "reasonable" price (for this class of car) of $108,600.

However, if you're more likely to be found relaxing in the rear seats while someone else drives, that just won't do -- you're going to want to spend an extra $8,000 for the long-wheelbase 750Li, which increases the wheelbase and rear passenger space by 14 centimetres. At that point, the 7-Series isn't just a luxury car -- it's a limousine.

Audi and Lexus also have long-wheelbase versions of their flagship sedans, the A8 and LS, respectively. However, while the redesigned A8 is an impressive vehicle, Audi's brand doesn't offer the prestige and status of BMW.

As for the Lexus, it's designed more for people who want to blend into the crowd -- a stark contrast to the attention-grabbing 7-Series.

The closest competitor is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which has as much star power as the BMW, but isn't as well-balanced or as good a value.

Can you do better than the 750Li? Possibly, if you're willing to spend a lot more. For an extra $15,700, the ActiveHybrid 7 brings fuel-saving hybrid technology to the 7-Series, whereas the $186,000 760Li swaps in a six-litre V-12 engine for staggering performance.

But the question remains: where are you sitting? While the environmentally conscious will appreciate the hybrid's 10.2 L/100km fuel efficiency (combined city and highway), the V-12 seems a bit unnecessary for a chauffeured vehicle.

It makes more sense to stick with the 750Li and also pick up a Z4 roadster, or -- if you're so inclined -- donate the extra $70,000 to a worthy cause.

I drove the latest 750Li across Los Angeles and San Diego, and came away completely impressed. It's one of the greatest luxury sedans on the market -- bar none.

DESIGN

The 750Li maintains the curves of its much-maligned predecessor, but steps back from the odd and unsettling proportions to take on a shape and profile more in line with past 7-Series designs.

You can still see elements of the criticized Chris Bangle styling, but they no longer compromise the overall beauty of the car. Instead, they give it a slightly eccentric feel that helps it to stand out on a crowded street.

With all of the extra wheelbase length going into the rear seats, the 750Li has extremely long rear doors that open very wide. It's an imposing vehicle with a strong stance and attractive lines, though the standard-length 750i's proportions are more pleasing to the eye.

The interior design reinforces the spaciousness of the cabin, holding true to BMW's traditionally minimalist feel while incorporating lots of elegant touches and design cues. The overall feel is modern and high-tech without being overly complex.

Build quality is exceptional, as you'd expect at this price point. The 7-Series is solid and extremely well built, with beautiful, high-quality materials and solid doors that close easily and convey a sense of safety and security.

PERFORMANCE

The 750Li is powered by a turbocharged, 4.4-litre V-8 producing 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and comes with BMW's fantastic xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available. Opting for the turbocharged six-litre V-12 gets you 535 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque, as well as an eight-speed shifter, but only with rear-wheel drive.

The 4.4-litre V-8 is an amazing engine, delivering power smoothly and quietly -- exactly what you'd want from the 750Li. The big sedan never feels like it's in a rush or straining to accelerate, conveying a sense of competence and control to all occupants.

Handling is on the softer side, even when the car is in Sport mode, but the 750Li is still supremely confident and steady.

For balanced comfort and performance it can't be beat, proving surprisingly manoeuvrable for such a large vehicle and offering great road feedback to the driver.

Driving this vehicle in busy California freeways posed no issues, allowing me to pass other cars with ease.

Passengers will have little reason to complain when the 750Li is in Sport mode, but in Comfort mode it's even better, delivering unbelievable ride quality and completely soaking up bumps and potholes.

ENVIRONMENT

As noted previously, the 750Li adds 14cm to the wheelbase, all of which benefits rear passengers. The only downside is the large drivetrain tunnel that prevents a flat floor, compromising legroom for the middle passenger.

BMW's iDrive all-in-one controller gets better with every redesign and now includes dedicated buttons for oft-used functions, but the benefits are still debatable.

GPS worked great, and even re-routed me when the traffic was busy using real-time traffic info.

There are too many cool features to mention, but some of the most notable include adaptive LED brakelights that glow brighter when more braking force is applied, and options such as airplane-like reading lamps for the rear seats, the night vision system, massaging front and rear seats and heads-up display with integrated navigation prompts.

Self-adjusting cruise-control systems are becoming commonplace, using lasers to manage the distance from the vehicle directly ahead, but the 750Li's optional active cruise control takes things a step further.

The system is able to start and stop the car without driver input, greatly easing the frustration of stop-and-go traffic.

FEATURES

The long-wheelbase 750Li starts at $116,600, rising to 132,300 for the ActiveHybrid 7 and $186,000 for the 760Li.

Notable standard features include automatic climate control, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, navigation system, adaptive headlamps, backup sensors, and adaptive headlamps.

Your 750Li can be personalized with a wide variety of options (found mostly in packages) such as active blind spot detection, active cruise control, massaging front and rear seats, auto open/close trunk, heads-up display, night vision system, rearview camera, rear entertainment system and an M-Sport package with aerodynamics and dynamic drive.

The 750Li's Fuel efficiency is rated at 15.4 L/100km in the city and 10 L/100km on the highway.

THUMBS UP

Superb balance of performance and comfort; extensive list of standard and optional features.

THUMBS DOWN

Not for the average consumer.

THE BOTTOM LINE

As good as it gets -- the benchmark in this class.

editorial@thenownews.com