Ever since the invention of the automobile, luxury cars have long been revered by people who always wanted to own one. German automakers have been known to release some of the most respected and loved premium cars. One of the leading names in the industry is none other than BMW, which originally stands for Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works in English. Those with deep pockets often go for full-size luxury SUVs, something that has not gone unnoticed by the world’s carmakers.
Currently, the BMW X7 is the Bavarian brand’s most premium and flagship SUV. The 7-seat luxury SUV was revealed in 2018 as a concept car, with the production model being introduced just a year later in 2019. There was an era where luxury cars were predominantly sedans, the balance has been shifting constantly towards SUVs. Considering all of these points, what makes the BMW X7 one of the best luxury SUVs in the market?
Does the BMW X7 look upscale enough?
When you come face-to-face with the BMW X7, the first thing that is likely to strike you is the sheer physical proportion of this SUV. It is truly huge. Depending on the variant, the 2023 BMW X7 can measure an impressive 5,181 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,835 mm in overall height. Meanwhile, the three-row BMW SUV has a wheelbase of 3,105 mm. Of course, the X7 is quite a bulky hunk of a family car – pushing nearly 2.5 tons.
As for how it looks, it is fair to say that the new BMW X7 has the typical “big SUV” appearance that gels with the SUV’s posh styling cues. BMW facelifted the X7 back in April 2022, incorporating minor yet significant design updates. The front fascia continues to boast the imposing BMW Kidney grille, which still looks like a big (but expensive) cheese grater. The new X7 gets ultra-sleek & backswept LED DRLs, which are placed just above dual-LED headlights.
The front bumper is vividly sculpted which gives it a distinct sportiness, with a deep center dam along with a protruding lip spoiler. The side profile of the X7 truly showcases the size of this SUV, with large rear doors and premium-feeling chrome window surrounds. There is also chrome garnish that extends between the front wheel arches and the rear doors. The new BMW X7 can be had with humongous 23-inch wheels that add to the SUV’s presence, and sporty-looking roof rails.
The size of the BMW X7 means that the rear of this luxury SUV comes across just as the rest of the car does. The back of the X7 features extremely stylish 3D LED taillights, a suave chrome bar that runs across the tailgate and into the taillights, thoroughly chiseled tailgate structures, a convincingly sporty roof-mounted spoiler, and dual exhaust mounts that are adorned with shiny chrome garnish.
Will the interior of the BMW X7 elevate your perspective of automotive luxury?
The moment one steps inside the new BMW X7, the sheer amount of luxury and comfort are right there to be witnessed. The seats of the X7 are not only fantastically cozy & luxurious, they are very sporty in their experience and also charmingly supportive over long-distance drives. Not only that. The interior design of the BMW X7 is properly contemporary and even futuristic, compared to the likes of the X7’s German likes from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
The cabin of the BMW X7 is truly expansive, which lends itself to the split panoramic sunroof and large windows that showers the interior of this SUV with lots of light from the outside. This not only frees up visible space on the inside, but it also works its way to scoring a wide-open area for occupants across all three rows of seats. There is enough space for people even in the rear-most bench, providing a decent amount of headroom for adults as well.
Even compared to the already-luxurious X5, the new BMW X7 has an interior that is more comfortable and has far better noise, vibration & harshness (NVH) control over its ‘lesser’ stablemate. While the BMW X7’s ride quality is good, it is nowhere near as comforting as that of the Mercedes-Benz GLS. If equipped in one of its top specs, the X7’s cabin is nothing short of artistic and upscale.
What are the key features of the BMW X7?
Being a modern flagship SUV, the BMW X7 comes with Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, Dynamic Brake Control with Dry Braking function, Automatic Differential Brake, adaptive suspension with active roll stabilization, trailer stability control, and radar-guided cruise control, amongst other safety features.
The BMW X7 features list also includes cool stuff such as adaptive matrix LED headlights, BMW Digital Key Plus, temperature-controlled seats, LED mood lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, steering-mounted paddle shifters, a wireless charger pad, ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic glass sunroof with built-in LED lights, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear seats with ventilation & massaging functions, a 14.9-inch infotainment display that supports Apple CarPlay & BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 3D camera system.
What lies under the hood of the BMW X7?
The BMW X7 xDrive40i comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine that pairs together with a 48-volt mild hybrid technology, which together develops up to 380 hp and 540 Nm of peak torque. This variant can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, while its top speed is about 245 km/h. There is also the BMW X7 M60i xDrive that comes equipped with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that punches out 530 hp and 750 Nm of peak torque.
While this V8 BMW X7 has the same 8-speed automatic gearbox and the 48-volt mild hybrid technology as the xDrive40i, it is definitely a sportier and better-sounding SUV than its lesser sibling. Even though this model weighs over 2.6 tons, the X7 V8 can still go from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds – a top speed of 250 km/h! The 2023 BMW X7 has a fuel economy ranging between 10.6 L/100 km (9.4 km/l) and 12.9 L/100 km (7.8 km/l).
Is the BMW X7 worth buying?
The BMW X7 really is one of the best luxury SUVs in the world. It offers tons of cabin space, a wonderfully modern intern design, loads of state-of-the-art technology, great on-road performance, and beautiful build quality. While the BMW X7 is not the best-looking SUV in its class, the X7 offers its buyers what it means to own a high-end, technologically advanced family SUV in this day & age.
FAQs
What are the key features of the BMW X7?
A: The key features of the BMW X7 are BMW Digital Key Plus, ‘Sky Lounge’ panoramic glass sunroof, Bowers & Wilkins audio system, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Apple CarPlay, adaptive matrix LED headlights, and adaptive suspension with active roll stabilization.
How does the BMW X7 compare to other luxury SUVs in its class?
A: The three-row BMW X7 is often cited as one of the best luxury SUVs in its segment, which includes the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Volvo XC90, Audi Q8, and Land Rover Range Rover.
What is the starting price of the BMW X7?
A: The starting price of the BMW X7 in the UAE is likely to be around AED 530,000.
What engine options are available for the BMW X7?
A: Powerplant options for the BMW X7 include a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine and a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged eight-cylinder petrol engine.
Can you tell me about the interior design and technology in the BMW X7?
A: The interior design of the BMW X7 incorporates splendid luxury and top-notch build quality, along with a modern technology suite that includes two large HD displays, multi-color LED ambient lighting, a split panoramic sunroof with LED lighting, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
