There aren’t many better ways to ‘arrive’ at a venue than arriving in a vehicle that is larger than the venue itself.
And that is precisely why the BMW X7 can appeal to so many people.
Luxury SUVs are all about status and theatre, desirability and opulence, and BMW’s seven-seat flagship SUV has all of those attributes in spades, with dimensions identical to your typical stately home.
The X7 aims to tempt would-be buyers of the Land Rover Discovery and BMW X5 to venture a little further upmarket by taking on luxury SUV competitors such as the Mercedes GLS, Audi Q7, and Range Rover.
The X7 is built on the same platform as the 7 Series and X5, and features four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as a variety of petrol and diesel engines to suit both the economy-conscious and the power-hungry.
BMW X7 interior
The X7’s luxurious interior, which takes the familiar X5 theme and polishes it up even further with luxury touches first seen in the BMW 8 Series, will also leave few disappointed.
Is the X7, however, more than just glitz and adornment?
Can it really entice customers away from other well-known competitors?
Read on to find out.
Then, if you decide you want an X7 or some other new vehicle, visit our New Car Buying section to see how much money you might save without haggling.
The BMW X7 range begins with the mighty impressive xDrive40d, which features a 335bhp six-cylinder diesel engine that propels it from 0-60mph in 5.6 seconds, compared to 6.0 seconds for a Mercedes GLS 400d.
The xDrive40d is a fantastic engine, with smooth and powerful output that rips through highways while staying quiet and understated in town.
If you don’t want to go with diesel, the six-cylinder petrol xDrive40i is an option.
When you want it to be serenely silent, it can be, but when you want it to be loud, it can be.
Furthermore, even at the very bottom of the rev range, it’s incredibly sensitive, and once you reach 2000rpm and the turbocharger really kicks in, this 335bhp unit is unstoppable.
It’s a little slower than the Audi Q7 55 TFSI, but just by a little.
If you’re looking for the most powerful engines in the X7 lineup, look under the hoods of the M50d and M50i.
The M50d is a 395bhp diesel engine that has enough power to propel you up the road with near-explosive force while remaining relatively quiet.
The M50i, on the other hand, is a more powerful petrol version with 522bhp, allowing the X7 to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds, which is quite fast, but not quite as quick as the 4.2 seconds a Mercedes GLS 63 can achieve in the same sprint.
All X7 engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts gears quickly and smoothly while still allowing manual control through paddles behind the steering wheel.
When you plant your right foot to request brisk acceleration, there might be a brief delay, but it’s nothing compared to the pregnant pause that some rivals’ boxes suffer from – yeah, we’re talking about you, Q7.
The regular air suspension soaks up whatever the road can throw at it, and it even gives the Q7 a run for its money on the highway.
When you know that the X7 rides on huge 21-inch (or optional 22-inch) alloy wheels, the ride is particularly impressive.
It’s definitely more convenient than the Mercedes GLS, which generates unpleasant thuds and bumps in the interior while handling the same surfaces as the X7.
However, larger potholes can still cause a slight but visible shake in the vehicle, which does not happen in the less expensive Q7.
Generally, the X7 is pleasant and relaxing to drive, whether munching through motorway miles or negotiating urban traffic. Here, the optional four-wheel steering greatly aids manoeuvrability at low speeds by turning the rear wheels very slightly in the opposite direction to the fronts for a reduced turning circle. it’s a real must-have if you do lots of driving in town.
Head off-road and the X7 will tackle rougher terrain than most buyers will reasonably ask of it, especially if you opt for the optional Off-Road package; this provides drive settings to suit different terrains, as well as adding underbody protection.
If you’re cruising down the highway or navigating city traffic, the X7 is generally enjoyable and calming to drive.
Optional four-wheel steering significantly improves manoeuvrability at low speeds by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the fronts for a smaller turning circle – it’s a must-have if you do a lot of city driving.
When you go off-road, the X7 can handle more difficult terrain than most buyers would expect, particularly if you opt for the optional Off-Road kit, which includes drive settings for different terrains as well as underbody safety.
The BMW X7’s very low-key interior design can stun you for a car with such an ostentatious, gargantuan exterior; it can’t match the Mercedes GLS’s eye-catching all-in-one widescreen displays, nor can it match the Range Rover’s sheer opulence.
The X7, on the other hand, makes up for its lack of flashiness with consistency.
Every surface you look at or touch screams design and craftsmanship, giving the interior a truly upmarket feel that rivals the Audi Q7 and easily outperforms the much less expensive-feeling GLS.
Thanks to BMW’s new 12.3in iDrive device, infotainment is more of an X7 specialty.
This can be controlled through an extremely sensitive touchscreen, the previously described intuitive rotary-dial controller, or even BMW’s voice control system.
There’s also gesture control to alter the volume, skip music tracks, and change radio stations, but waving your hand around to unlock it feels a little funny.
All of the main infotainment features can be used safely when driving thanks to the numerous simple interfaces.
Meanwhile, BMW’s 12.3in digital instrument cluster, which is standard throughout the range, is dubbed “Live Cockpit Professional.”
It excels at displaying the most important information to the driver, such as a sat-nav map or music information.
If you choose the head-up display, which projects data such as speed and navigation instructions onto the windscreen, it will be even better.
In the end, BMW’s iDrive infotainment device remains the strongest in the industry.
Behind the wheel, you’ll find a standard high-set SUV seating position with electrically adjustable front seats that are simple to fine-tune to your preferences.
Massage functionality is also available, but it is disappointingly weak and does not feel as luxurious as it sounds.
While the X7’s visibility is excellent, a car of this size can be difficult to maneuver, so front and rear parking sensors, a slew of all-round cameras, and even a self-parking feature are all normal.
BMW’s ‘Laserlight’ headlights, which cost extra and use laser technology to produce a brilliantly bright light, are available.
Even a Range Rover is dwarfed by the BMW X7.
It has a lot of interior space, which is unsurprising.
Up front, it’s tall and airy, and it’s so big that the driver might feel like they’re in a different postcode than their front passenger.
There will be no shoulder rubbing in this space.
There’s still plenty of space to stretch out in the second row, and with plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room, even three adults sitting side by side would be pretty relaxed.
The outer passengers in the second row get dual-zone climate control and heated seats.
Seats can be electrically rotated forward and backward in a 60/40 configuration, as well as folded in a 40/20/40 split.
The X7, like the Q7 and Mercedes GLS, comes standard with a third row of seats.
Even if you read the options list from cover to cover, the Range Rover can’t compete, so you’ll have to settle for the less expensive Range Rover Sport with its seven-seat option.
The X7’s third row is also very spacious, even more so than the Audi Q7’s or even the Land Rover Discovery’s.
And a pair of six-footers should be able to fit comfortably.
The big rear doors show a large gap to clamber through, making access to the third row easy.
However, there are an excessive number of buttons to control the seats, and the second and third rows can only be rotated and folded electrically, which is a sluggish process that irritates passengers who want to get in and out quickly.
Alternatively, you can order your X7 in a six-seat configuration.
This more opulent configuration costs a little more and replaces the three-person second-row bench with two individual seats, each with its own arm rests and a wide range of electrical adjustment.
With its armchair-like extendable leg rests, the Range Rover’s optional two-seat rear arrangement is even more opulent.
If the six-seat configuration appeals to you, keep in mind that you won’t be able to fold the second-row seats fully flat.
In terms of the boot, the X7 keeps the split-folding tailgate configuration from the X5, with the lower portion flipping out to act as a convenient perch for removing muddy wellies or similar products.
Also with the third-row seats in place, there’s enough room for a couple of suitcases; in five-seat mode, the boot is enormous, and the load area becomes absolutely monstrous when both the second and third rows are folded away.
The BMW X7 isn’t the cheapest way to seat seven people in comfort; a Land Rover Discovery will do the job for less money.
Similarly, if you don’t need the X7’s size but like the rest of the kit, the cheaper BMW X5, which is still a great vehicle, or the even better Audi Q7 could be a better choice.
The X7, on the other hand, is a fantastic buy if you’re looking for a fantastic mix of luxury, versatility, and space – even more so than the Mercedes GLS.
The X7’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions are almost identical to those of its main competitors.
However, if you prefer to keep your operating costs low, the xDrive40d will provide the best fuel economy.
And, if you prefer to keep your operating costs down, the xDrive40d can have the best fuel economy.
If you drive a business vehicle, you’ll be pleased to learn that the X7, like all of its competitors, falls into the highest benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket.
There are two trim levels to choose from when it comes to appliances.
Every X7 comes with a plethora of features, including air suspension, four-zone climate control, and heated front and rear seats.
The M50i and M50d stand alone as trim levels in their own right, adding a limited-slip differential on the rear axle to improve cornering traction, as well as a M Sport variant that adds a head-up display, sporty cosmetic touches, and improved brakes.
Our recommendation is to stick with the base trim – the X7 – but consider adding any of the available extras for a touch of luxury.
For the second row, you can install heated and cooled cupholders as well as TV screens, and that’s just the beginning.
Although the X7 is still too fresh to have proved its dependability, BMW placed 9th out of 31 manufacturers in the 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey, outperforming premium rivals such as Audi, Mercedes, and Land Rover.
The X7 has yet to be tested by Euro NCAP in terms of protection, but it should prove to be a very safe vehicle, thanks to standard features like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-departure warning.