2020 BMW 745e Plug-In Hybrid. The Best of Electric And Gasoline Together?

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Luxury cars are expected to be silent and powerful. Electric cars deliver that. Gasoline powered vehicles eliminate the worry of being stranded far from a charging station. Plug-in hybrids like the BMW 745e offer the best of both worlds- silent electric oomph and no range anxiety at all. What’s the all-electric range? How powerful is it? Is the price too high to appeal to wealthy buyers? Tom Voelk answers all of these questions and more.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos. Watch a few and you'll subscribe.

[@Oyinkan1234]

This is some incredible content right here! You can really see how much effort Tom Voelk has put into producing this. I have always been a gear-head but its people like Tom Voelk that make me want to pursue a career in automotive journalism. Thank you for being an inspiration to us Sir!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Just trying to do a good job...

[@citibear57]

Tom's videos are excellent, but his knowledge and his soothing voice makes him a joy to listen to.

[@silentrefusal9911]

Hands down the most underviewed and underappreciated car reviews channel

[@williamscott7763]

Another great review Tom!

[@marekw.9816]

I haven't seen or read anyone else review this model; this is good content.

[@ldodom]

Excellent review, as always, Tom. ¡Thank you for all the nuances and details. If you have a chance, what name does that gorgeous silver color go by? Thx!

[@buickboy92]

Tom, your production quality is leaps and bounds ahead of many, if not all YT automotive channels, and I really appreciate all the effort you and your team (Martin) put into these reviews. It must take you guys all day, and I just wanted to say I'm grateful that I get to view the final product. P.S. Loved those scenes of the 745e gliding through that beautiful fog. Ah, the PNW. 💕

[@dcjimr1]

The interior is gorgeous...the exterior not so much. Wonderful review as always, Tom!

[@Kelveron]

Initially I wasn't sure of the exterior with those enlarged grilles, but l'm beginning to like it as whole (still not sure about the grilles though).

[@robertlockett8680]

Another great review, Tom. Thanks for your professional and entertaining insights into current cars. How about reviewing the BMW X3 30e plug-in hybrid?

[@nichopaulu8395]

Thank you for the great content!

[@matthewgrayson8]

Great Review !

[@BHBeckenbauer]

I agree - PHEV’s are misunderstood. I have a BMW 330e and I get amazing overall fuel economy

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yep. Best kept secret in the automotive world.

[@n7y8c7]

Love my 2013 Volt!

[@normt430]

Cadillac CT6 plug-in that sees +40 miles on just battery.

[@colnreid]

I had a X5 45e. It died twice and is no more. The change from electric to full power was like old fashioned turbo lag

[@honestrunescaper]

Excellent review

[@citibear57]

Nice car, but it ought to be for that price. Another great video Tom ...oh what the heck, you don't need me to tell you that. Your trunk full of awards says it all. Awesome 😊

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Tom. I can’t wait to see your thoughts on the RAV4 Prime in a few months

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Me too. Very curious about that vehicle.

[@guillermodvl]

This is the best review for this vehicle.

[@MichaelKirven]

Hey Tom - Just checking in with you to wish you and your family well in Washington. On a lighter note - how's the ELR? Mine is 6 years old now, and nearing 75,000 miles. No major issues..Cheers!

[@LuvvSURYA]

Is this three liter straight six different from the one they offer in models without plug-in hybrid technology (740i, 640i, 540i, 340i, X5 40i etc)? The pure 3L straight six churns out around 340 PS whereas the one on hybrid version does 280 PS. Is it detuned or an entirely different 3L engine?

[@robbeason]

Excellent.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

CORRECTION- I have the full charge time as 4.5 hours using Level 2. BMW says it's closer to 3 hours.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

As if a gasoline model is not enough issues in the short - time, then take the electric 🤣🙈 Loooooveee your reviews Tom 🎉🎉

[@noonesbusiness959]

Tom did you do a review of the Volt?!! If not please do one!! Would love to hear your opinion of it via video.

[@brandonlin6126]

They don't sell the volt anymore... 2019 was the last model year

[@noonesbusiness959]

@@brandonlin6126 Tracking as I have a first generation but I'd still love to see a review of a Volt by Tom Lin.

[@toronado455]

The Cadillac ELR is awesome!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Mine has been terrific. One of the most beautiful cars made in the last 10 years and the best interior Cadillac has done in memory. Too bad it was an unmarketed, overpriced two-door coupe in an SUV world.

[@AbhikMallik]

This is my dream car...I believe one day I will buy it! 🤗❤️🌠🚗

[@vitogiacalone8044]

My wife she got herself one last monday! what a car!

[@Forge17]

Maybe I’m the only one who’s in love with the aggressive front end, but the interior is a step down from the previous gen, just seems to be missing something in my opinion. Still, BMW reliability means never owning a used one out of warranty

[@patmoitry4397]

Pampered Tommy!

[@edysinsimon8646]

Still waiting for the X-5 model of this drivetrain to be sold in the states. It's already available in the rest of the world.

[@testosteron4399]

Does this 745e have 394hp all the time or only if battery is charged? And everyone is talking how when battery is empty, you just get 200-250 kg to drag around with no use. Then how come the car has 1970kg just like 740i with no battery’s???

[@tommihelich2613]

That’s funny Tom about going for an hour drive to evaluate a car before purchasing. I remember going to the BMW dealer on the south end of downtown Seattle a few years ago for a drive in one of their station wagons (that’ll date me). The salesman wouldn’t even let us go up a hill! Round a few blocks and back again. LMAO.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

There are other dealerships then, right? Very shortsighted on their part.

[@alliejr]

Great review. Is it really NA straight 6 or turbo straight 6?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

NA

[@jackchueh1231]

Driven Car Reviews I don’t think so.. b58 is turbo detuned.

[@islandmerchandise3017]

What is the color called

[@nreitman]

What will I do now that the numbers don’t correspond to engine displacement?

[@ElijahsAba]

Noah Reitman They haven’t in years.

[@bhmbill]

The Volt and ELR are EVs with range extending internal combustion engines which generate electricity and do not directly drive the wheels. Plug in hybrids are ICE cars with an electric assist.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Actually, there is a mode where the Voltec powertrain directly connects to the drivetrain for better efficiency. And for all practical purposes, they are plug-in hybrids.

[@guillermodvl]

I really like this car

[@dan339g]

Not a fan of the styling, but BMW seems to strike the right mix of digital versus traditional controls to operate increasingly complex technology in an efficient fashion.

[@andrewsmactips]

A less hideous grill would be a nice option.

[@marcob1729]

Plug-ins haven't caught on, because they haven't been offered on popular models and vehicle types. Let's see what the Rav4 Prime does. I'm guessing it'll do quite well

[@noonesbusiness959]

Hell yeah it will! It's the second fastest Toyota and a crossover. That equals fun and big $$ for Toyota!!

[@laimonislivzans4765]

What about petrol consumption?

[@joelhenderson4450]

Haha did you ask if there’s a Sbux nearby... in Seattle?! By the way would you consider shooting in neighbourhoods that aren’t quite so precious?

[@DrivenCarReviews]

This is the car's natural habitat, don't you think?

[@keithjackson4985]

Forgive me. I haven't even watched this review yet. I know it's good, because you do a good job of reporting on what matters to buyers in need of good information. Please do a Corvette review? I really am wanting to hear what you think about the new Corvette.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

It will be awhile. There are very few press cars roaming around and it take time to get to the upper left hand corner of the US. No one is more sorry than me.

[@keithjackson4985]

@@DrivenCarReviews I am a subscriber and I appreciate the reply. I will continue to sit in the holding pattern. Thank you.

[@oceanicamergulho]

7 Series once were diesel, then Hydrogen, now hybrids....a luxury riding lab.

[@toronado455]

wait a sec... $96.5k and adaptive cruise costs extra?!

[@tonywellington7854]

SEATTLE the epicenter of Woo Flu - be safe brother

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Living life but washing hands more often

[@tonywellington7854]

@@DrivenCarReviews take good care up there brother

[@RobG001]

With this virus pandemic, some people are apparently going out and hoarding loads of toilet paper! mmm, I wonder who they got that idea from? :) Tom Volke, trend-setting for years and years before it was trendy to do so :) Take care out there Tom, best wishes to you and your family at this nightmarish time.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Yep, that's me. Trendsetter. I'm thinking about bringing back leisure suits.

[@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec]

My, how you have grown... My 1992 735iL (long wheelbase) weighs 3950 lbs, 800 pounds lighter than this 7!

[@jackchueh1231]

It’s 4400 lbs with the battery

[@clairekennedy8767]

This car is amazing, I would love to sit in the backseat for a road trip!

[@edysinsimon8646]

I'm kinda intrested in this motor/combo in the new X5 series. The new X5 45e that's already out and about in Europe currently? Yeah...That one. This 7 series is at best, A limo for china cliental. I really don't care for that extended rear sesting area designed of this platform. It just looks too pedestrian.

[@stevenbarrett7648]

16 miles ? That’s not really hybrid is it, my RRS does about 20 to 30 miles all electric, we consider that a mild hybrid

[@mjhowson2389]

Gorgeous car, but 16 miles of range? 12 in cold weather? For a PHEV to be effective, I feel it needs to get at least 30 pure EV miles. I’d get a Tesla Model S over this. I have no need for a cross-country road trip, so range anxiety isn’t a concern for me. GM abandoned the Voltec PHEV platform to pursue BEVs. I agree that the PHEV is a great way to dip your toe into the EV world. But this BMW with 16 miles of range seems pointless.

[@olekiller11]

Hey Tom. I need you guys to complain that BMW is charging for basic adaptive cruise control when it's standard in a Civic and Corolla.

[@tonywellington7854]

+carey smith go buy a toyota or a honda if you dont like it

[@carlosmoreira779]

Not quite first!

[@Scofco]

Quick Tom! What vehicle holds the most toilet paper! I need to go buy one!

[@DrivenCarReviews]

I think the run is over, you missed your investment plan.

[@paulm6481]

Hey BMW CPU must be a 386 chip, way slow

[@stephenhendricks103]

"Mickey D's open all night"? C'mon, Tom. We both know that Dick's is a far better choice in Seattle. Just be sure to bring your plastic money. Dick's doesn't want your dirty bills these days. And while we're on the subject, it's obvious you filmed this prior to the toilet paper panic at Costco. Just try to find five packages of TP today. :)

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Well, the Dick's reference would be lost on the rest of the world then wouldn't it? I'm fine with Dick's, I'm fine with McDs. Just depends on my mood. Gotta say, LOVE the way Dick's treats its employees with great pay and benefits. But sometimes I prefer McDs fries and Dicks doesn't have Egg 'o Muffins.

[@haze1123]

Great review. But that is not an attractive car. Jeez. The grille proportions are wrong in every way.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Have you seen the i4 concept? This is modest.

[@ronkol28]

wow that grill is horrendous

[@normt5463]

Cadillac CT6e over this. The 31 miles electric is almost double. There are brand new CT6e are right at $60K for 2018 models.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

That might be true but there were even fewer CT6e made than ELRs (off the top of my head I think it was 1,200). At least the ELR has the maintenance advantage of Volt powertrain parts.

[@normt430]

@@DrivenCarReviews there was about 490 CT6E. We did pick up a 2018 in March with 500 miles. It was just a little more than 50% off MSRP as I got in for a $1,875 Federal credit before they expired for GM. At 4,000 miles this week will make a full month on 100% battery commuting to work.

[@bassandtrebleclef]

Great overview of one of the ugliest cars for sale today. Gotta love that depreciation, too. Top 5 cars for depreciation.

[@inomad]

bassandtrebleclef Most BMW 7s are leased.

[@trumpisastump9382]

@@inomad The value of the vehicle at the point of purchase, minus its residual value (its value at the end of the lease) times a money factor is how the lease payments are calculated. So whether you lease or buy, you pay for the depreciation.

[@toth1982]

My general suggestion for youtubers is not to ask people to subscibe. They will do it if they like your videos (as I did). Otherwise this just makes the video more boring (mainly because everyone does it).

[@trumpisastump9382]

I find your post boring.

[@toth1982]

@@trumpisastump9382 So you tried to write a much more boring one? GJ.

[@ActivityPhoto]

Can't even begin to imagine how much these things will cost to keep going once they get a few miles on them. My suggestion, never ever buy a German made vehicle. BTW your comment on the Chevy Volts were very accurate, Chevy really screwed up when they didn't promote and continue to develop that platform.

[@jdonalds2001]

Not enough EV range.

[@vnorvi]

I really don’t get this car... at all. The e range is so short as to be irrelevant. But you are getting a little in line 6 so it’s not a performance car. And the exhaust sounds like a Prius. The depreciation will be staggering, and the reliability typical bmw junk. Little trunk., without folding seats. 2 year old electronics. Staggering cost. Oh...and UGLY. I guess all this makes me question these reviews -since this sounds so upbeat. I’d like to see actual critical reviews. nice seats though- as a shockingly high option price.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Over 4,000 EV miles a year is irrelevant? Hmmm. All of the information is there for people to make their own decision. I'm not here to tell folks to buy or not buy. I think people should make their own decision. I deal with facts, not emotion or lazy perception. This is not a performance car, as noted. It's a luxury car. It doesn't sound like a Prius. FWIW, Consumer Reports rates 7 Series as the top luxury sedan with a much better reliability record than Lexus LS. www.consumerreports.org/cars/types/new/luxury-cars/ratings

[@atmartens]

Eh. I think the Audi looks better.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Agreed.

[@JB-yw2im]

Tom, with all due respect, plugins like this and the now dead ELR are really DOA. Tesla has shown that all electric vehicles are better performing and much more efficient. You like to argue that plugins like this are much better for long distance travel, but 1) most people rarely drive longer distances, and 2) the Model S (with which this car competes) has a range of over 350 miles and on the rare occasions when one needs to travel farther than that, can supercharge at one of thousands of stations -- for free -- in under an hour (and that's with older V1 superchargers; V2 superchargers are even faster). Yes, this 7 series has somewhat better build quality and a more pampering interior, but the Model S is less expensive, much more efficient (ZERO gas), has a much better infotainment system, and a much better driving assistance system.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Dirrerent strokes. Depends on what people want and need. I like electric cars but there are people that don't have the means to charge them easily (apartments and condos for example). An acquaintance of mine bought a Model S thinking it would work well for her long distance sales route. Turns out no. She ended up with a A8 after waiting in line for Superchargers (which are not free anymore) and running out of battery power twice (once on Christmas Eve at 11PM) and had to be flat bedded to a charging station. Somewhat better build quality? Objectively, they're not even close. And experiencing Autopilot a couple times, I wouldn't trust it any more than BMWs system (I really wish Tesla owners could experience the newer systems, especially Super Cruise). I think Teslas are great and I'm happy to see the company making electric cars cool but I'm waiting for something better and more reliable (and more affordable than Porsche Taycan). And plug-ins fill a real niche for a lot of people who seldom drive over 40 miles a day but every couple weeks need to travel 100s of miles (which is what my wife does). Again, know what you need, buy what you need.

[@toptobottom247]

It's a wash. The battery is not big enough. Sorry. At least I get almost 30 miles in my Volvo XC90 T8. Not 12 or 15 other people lie about.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

Hmm, I remember getting around 15-18 of electric range when I drove the Volvo.

[@dougcargill6730]

The original 7-series is gorgeous. This is hideous.

[@nonamename638]

Almost first ;)

[@jody024]

My god that 7 is ugly.

[@overtaxed3628]

Majority of people are just simple minded Tom so that is the reason why Doug DeMuro have more then 3 million subscribers and you don't. Maybe you should start video with a phrase ; Thisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss is ........ or use Tom score like Doug is using and act like a child while doing it, so many people obviously like that and its not even insulting to their intelligence because they don't have any.

[@venom5809]

Doug got big not by doing what he did but by buying things like Ferraris and Hummers and doing weird stuff with them, once he had a huge base of subscribers he then changed his format to what he does now, mostly because it's convenient and he doesn't have to travel or do a whole lot of work. Once you gain a certain amount of subscribers it pretty much snowballs after that. Doug also reviews cars that are weird, nostalgic, super rare, super expensive etc etc, Tom only does new cars that companies provide to him, unless you are getting access to Ferraris, Lamborghinis etc from companies you are going to do big numbers anytime soon. He should also bring him buddy that does the filming into the videos with him, that would help a lot, 2 person teams like Straight Pipes and Throttle House do well also.

[@eganfo]

No thanks. You be you Tom. Doug’s videos are entertaining, but you’re more my style with driving impressions, wit, evil twin, and useful nuggets at the end. Plus you’re local so it’s fun to see where you shoot.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@eganfo I can only be me.

[@DrivenCarReviews]

@@venom5809 Martin is not keen to be on camera. He's a man of few words.

[@paulm6481]

BMW has hard enough time making ICE reliable vehicles. People stay away from these hybrids from any body not named Toyota because they are complex and hard to make. Stay away from this junk Eurotrash BMW hybrid. Get a Lexus hybrid instead.

[@honestrunescaper]

excellent review