The BMW X7 comes with one of two engines. The xDrive40i is powered by a 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine fed by a turbocharger, sending power to all-four wheels via an 8-speed automatic. BMW claims the X7 xDrive40i makes 335 horsepower, which is enough get the vehicle to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds, so despite not having overwhelming amounts of horsepower on paper, the xDrive40i is pretty quick. For those wanting more power, the xDrive50i is powered by a 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8 making 456 horsepower while the M50i is tuned for 523 horsepower.
Regardless of which engine is ordered, the X7 comes in two basic flavors dubbed Luxury and M Sport. From the outside, the two trim levels couldn't be more different, the Luxury features plenty of exterior brushed aluminum around the windows and the lower door sills, while the M sport features more aggressive wheels, blacked out aluminum and bigger grill openings in the front fascia.
Regardless of trim level, the X7 is generous with its standard features, which include 21-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights and LED fog lights. Inside, the X7 comes standard with 16-way power front seats, a 10-speaker sound system with HD radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel, BMW ConnectedDrive services, dynamic cruise control, a panoramic moonroof featuring a 2-piece glass panel, 4-zone automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers, a power tailgate, park distance control, BMW's extended ambient lighting system and three stage heated front seats. Additional features exclusive to the M50i include LED adaptive headlights that are equipped with BMW Laser light, 4 wheel painted calipers, and an M Sport electro-mechanical limited slip differential.
Options are plentiful on the X7 and include a variety of 21 and 22-inch wheel designs, a variety of Vernasca Leather and merino leather upholstered interiors, five different types of wood trimmed dashboards and of course several packages.
A Dynamic Handling Package will up the sport quotient on the X7 with integrated active steering, M Sport brakes, and a suspension system that will use cameras to view the road ahead and preemptively adjust suspension stiffness on the fly for improved handling. An Off-Road Package adds better differentials, several off-road driving modes and underbody armor. A Driver Assistance Professional Package on the other hand, offers piece of mind behind the wheel with Active Driving Assistant Pro and Traffic Jam Assistance as well as Lane Keeping Assist, Cross Traffic Alert and Side Collision Avoidance.
Luxurious Interior
Seating For Up To Seven People
All-wheel Drive
More Fun To Drive Than The Average SUV
Packed Full Of Technology
The BMW X7 is a vehicle from the Bavarian marque. It's a full sized SUV, sitting at the very top of BMW's X-lineup, offering three rows of seating for passengers, rather than the standard two rows that come in the rest of BMW's SUV lineup. Being so practical, BMW have taken great pains to ensure the vehicle isn't too utilitarian, with the driving experience skewing decidedly towards the luxury side of things, with tons of features and interesting bits of technology. The most significant update to the 2020 X7 is the new M50i.
The BMW X7 is the largest and most expensive SUV in their lineup, positioned as the next step up from the X5, though it is also bigger and more expensive than the swoopy and sporty X6. Its positioned primarily to do battle with the Mercedes Benz GLS. While both vehicles are nice, the styling of the GLS is extremely pedestrian, while the X7's styling certainly makes a statement. The BMW also offers a far more interesting driving experience, with a bit more feel and just a hint of sports car DNA baked into the experience. There are cheaper alternatives such as the Audi Q7 and the Cadillac Escalade, though both can easily be optioned up to rival the price of the BMW X7. However, the Audi feels a little more cramped inside and has been around for several years, while the X7 is a brand new vehicle. The Escalade feels plenty big, but doesn't have the quality or style present in its Germanic competition.