BMW's improved X7 will perfectly suit luxury SUV buyers wanting to 'go large', thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review

BMW's X7 classily meets the needs of wealthy buyers wanting a super-luxury large SUV and needing to seat up to seven adults. It's essentially a super-sized X5, but it makes far more of a pavement statement and inside, feels very high-end indeed, especially in this updated form. If you don't much care what the neighbours think - or perhaps even if you do - then you'd probably quite like one.

Background

Not every new car these days is designed with a specific eye on European buyers. Take this one, the BMW X7, first launched in 2018, an enormous luxury seven-seat SUV primarily aimed at customers in America, the Middle East, China and various Asian markets. But BMW continues to think better-heeled buyers with larger families here might like one too. Here, seven adults can fit comfortably into a car that BMW hopes will make a really big statement. Especially in this improved form.

Driving Experience

The brand wants you to think of this as a 7 Series that could go off road, rather than a larger X5. But it does share most with that SUV, including all its engines - there are three, all of which are in some way new and all of which now feature the brand's latest 48V mild hybrid tech. Most will probably still select the diesel option, now represented by a more powerful 340hp xDrive40d model, which uses an uprated version of BMW's familiar six cylinder 3.0-litre diesel. This will be great for towing with its 720Nm torque output - and makes 62mph in 6.1s. Diesel-haters will opt instead for the xDrive40i variant, which now has a 380hp version of the brand's in-line six cylinder petrol unit. With that, the figures are 540Nm and 5.8s. At the top of the range lies the M60i xDrive, which has a 4.4-litre petrol V8 with 530hp, capable of 62mph from rest in just 4.7s: for very fast families indeed. As before, all units use an 8-speed auto gearbox, but this Steptronic unit's been upgraded with Launch Control and a Sprint function, respectively allowing for faster starts and quicker overtakes. As previously, all models feature adaptive two-axle air suspension. What else? Well the electric power steering system's been re-tuned for extra feel. And on the top M60i variant, there's an 'Executive Drive Pro' option, which gives you active roll stabilisation, restricting body roll at speed through the bends. Tarmac is of course this SUV's preferred habitat where it rides with suppleness in 'Comfort' mode and handles with actually quite a lot of verve if you set the 'Drive Performance Controller' to 'Sport'. The commanding driving position helps and it's necessary because otherwise, this car's sheer bulk might easily feel intimidating on narrower roads.

Design and Build

If you know the X7, you'll notice the update changes made here, highlighted by the addition of distinctive split headlamp units, with updated matrix LED headlights. They flank a new 'Iconic Glow' kidney grille, which features cascade lighting for the two grille elements. There are three-dimensionally-sculpted rear LED lights. And you can now have wheels as large as 23-inches in size - a first for BMW. Otherwise, the exterior look is as before - which means that it's big, similar in size to the Range Rover and Mercedes GLS models that potential customers will also be considering. This BMW is 5.15m long and 1.81m high - compare that to an X5, which is 4.92m long and 1.75m high. There's a full 2-metres of width too. Like the X5, the X7 rolls down the production lines of BMW's US Spartanburg plant. Inside, the key change with this updated model is the addition of BMW's latest 'Curved Display', made up of a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a central 14.9-inch infotainment monitor. The two screens merge into one fully digital and high-resolution display unit behind a single glass surface. Also new is a smart crystalline ambient lighting bar below the trim strip ahead of the front passenger. As before, you sit high, the rear window seems a long way off and there's a huge part-opening glass roof to flood the cabin with light. There's obviously plenty of middle row space (the centre row slides fore and aft) and even those consigned to the third row seats won't feel too short-changed, though getting to them past the forward edge of the rear wheel arch can be challenging. The standard boot capacity is 326-litres. Drop the two rear seating rows and 2,120-litres of carriage space is freed up. A button in the luggage compartment activates a loading mode that lowers the car by 40mm.

Market and Model

Prices now start at around £83,000 for the base xDrive40d diesel variant with 340hp. A fraction less gets you the 380hp petrol-powered xDrive40i. You'll need to find over £108,000 if you want the V8 530hp M60i flagship model. All variants get seven seats, 8-speed Steptronic auto transmission, xDrive all-wheel drive, air suspension and an electrically-operated panoramic glass roof. An 'M Sport Package Pro' package is optionally available on 'M Sport' models or standard on the BMW X7 M60i xDrive. It comprises extended M Shadow Line trim, which also adds a matt Black surround for the kidney grille and tailpipe finishers in Black Chrome, plus M Sport brakes with black brake callipers bearing the M logo and seat belts with contrast stitching in the BMW M GmbH colours. When specified with this package, the six-cylinder models are also fitted with an uprated M Sport exhaust system. Many owners will want to upgrade the car's glass roof to 'Sky Lounge panoramic' status, which gets you a roof with 15,000 graphic patterns able to generate a display reminiscent of a starlit sky. There's also an optional 'Comfort Plus pack' which further increases the feeling of wellbeing. Like the front seats, the seats in the second and third rows can also be heated, as are the steering wheel and the armrests for the driver and front passenger in the doors and centre console. The "thermo" function for the cup holders in the centre console keeps drinks containers cool or warm as required.

Cost of Ownership

Electrification in the form of 48V mild hybrid technology gives all engines in this enhanced X7 increases efficiency. With this, an electric motor is installed in the transmission's compact housing. The mild hybrid system generates torque of 20Nm and an output boost of up to 12hp, depending on the driving situation. In the xDrive40i, the mild hybrid system is also used to provide purely electric driving at very low speeds. The energy required for the electric power boost is stored in a 48V battery located in the engine bay. It is charged via recuperation in overrun and braking phases. Besides supplying the electric motor, the 48V battery also feeds the regenerated brake energy to the vehicle's electrical system. So what about the figures? Well the result of all this in the xDrive40i petrol model is a combined cycle fuel figure of up to 30.7mpg and a CO2 reading of up to 210g/km. For the V8 M60i xDrive, the readings are up to 23.2mpg and 278g/km. If you've heard talk that diesel engines are planet-polluting brutes, then shelve that for a moment while you examine the black pump-fuelled powerplant on offer here because it's nothing like that. The xDrive40d manages up to 37.2mpg on the combined cycle and up to 200g/km of CO2. What else might you need to know? Well, routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. You can check all of this using menus in the 'iDrive' centre-dash display and the car will give you four weeks' notice of when a check-up is needed so you have plenty of time to book it. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

Really exotic super-luxury SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, the Rolls Royce Cullinan and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS are all very well, but they only actually seat five people. If you want to seat seven with ultimate SUV luxury and you want something a bit nicer than, say, an Audi Q7 or a Volvo XC90, your only options are a Range Rover or a Bentley Bentayga - or if you can't quite stretch to those two, a Mercedes GLS or this BMW X7. Thanks to these updates, this Bavarian contender now looks more appealing in this exalted company. There'll still be plenty of people who'll say that this car is too big for our market. They said that about the Mercedes GLS when it was launched and were proved wrong: they have been again here. Bavaria's most imposing piece of automotive real estate will continue to have a distinctive appeal if you like the brand's cool sporting vibe, have a large family and want the very best. Size matters. But then you always knew that didn't you

Body Glass

Front and rear electric windows

Acoustic glazing

Heated windscreen washer nozzles

Rain sensor with automatic headlight activation and windscreen wiper control

Brakes

Automatic Stability Control (ASC)

Hill descent control

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Variable torque distribution

Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

Front and rear brake discs with interior ventilation

Anti lock braking system (ABS) with cornering brake control

PC iBrake PostCrash approach control warning with light braking function

Integrated braking system

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear colour co-ordinated with all standard carpet colours

Chassis/Suspension

Drive experience switch with comfort mode + ECO PRO + sport mode

Communication

2 rear USB-C ports

Driver Aids

Attentiveness assist

Parking assistant pro including reversing assistant, PDC, lateral parking aid, reversing assist camera, parking drive off monitoring

Driver Convenience

Automatic tailgate operation

BMW gesture control

Automatic start/stop function

Driver Information

BMW Teleservices

Brake pad wear indicator in front and rear

Condition based service

Integrated owner's handbook

BMW Drive recorder

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

Live Cockpit Professional with head up display including 12.3" instrument cluster and 14.9" central display

Driving Mirrors

Frameless interior mirror

Electrically adjustable and heated aspheric folding side mirrors with auto dimming, electric fold in function, automatic parking function

Embellishment Trims

Galvanic embellisher for controls

Engine

48V Mild hybrid technology

Entertainment

DAB radio

Personal eSim

2x Front USB (1x USB-C, 1x USB-A)

Exterior Body Features

Body coloured wheel arches

High gloss black shadow line roof rails

Rear side wing doors

High gloss black shadowline trim in side/window frame, window recess cover, window guide, B and C pillar, mirror triangle, mirror base, mirror frame

Sump guard front and rear painted in silver

Adaptive air flap control bars in high gloss black

Exterior and central air inlets in front bumper painted pearl chrome

Air breather and door claddings in high gloss chrome

Integrated turn indicators

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

High beam assist

LED rear lights

LED third brake light in rear spoiler

Dynamic brake lights with LED technology

Follow me home headlight function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Nano filter

Interior Features

Front and rear door pockets

Grab handles

Soft close doors

Lockable glove compartment

Compartment in front of cupholder

12V - Power sockets with 2x centre console and 1x luggage compartment

Electrical steering column with adjustable height and length with activation and control on the steering column

Front and rear side armrests integrated into door trim

3 spoke M leather multifunction steering wheel

Wireless charging tray

Storage tray and compartment with lid in centre console

2x cupholders in front, rear centre armrest and two in third row seats

Ambient lighting strip in the instrument panel with illuminated

Armrest in front centre console

Entry sills with illuminated M inscription

Packs

Connected Package Professional - X7

Luggage compartment pack - X7

M aerodynamics pack - X7

Interior lighting pack - X7

Ambient light interior pack - X7

Additional storage compartment pack - X7

M Sport pack - X7

Safety

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Tyre pressure monitoring system

BMW emergency call

Active protection

Child seat ISOFIX attachment rear outer seats in 2nd row and both seats in 3rd row includes top tether

Acoustic protection for pedestrians

Tyre pressure sensors

Manual child lock in rear doors

3 point seatbelts on all seats, front pyrotechnic belt tensioners, stopper and belt force limiters, front and outer rear seats

Airbag - Front driver and passenger, side airbags and Head airbags

Comfort cushion seats for outer seats in 2nd row

Crash sensor inclu activation of airbags, interior light, safety battery terminal clamp, hazard warn flasher, unlock doors, deactivation of fuel pump

Comfort access system with digital key

Seats

Height adjustable front headrests

Height adjustable rear headrests

2 seat bench in 3rd row

3 seat bench in 2nd row

40:20:40 split folding rear seats with backrest

Front seat back pockets

Single front passenger seat

Fold down flush into floor of luggage compartment 50:50

Security

Alarm

Engine immobiliser

Locking wheel bolts

Central locking including 2 vehicle keys with integrated emergency key

Towing

Trailer stabilisation logic

Transmission

Permanent all wheel drive

8 speed automatic with steptronic transmission including automatic hold function and gearshift paddles on the steering wheel

Vanity Mirrors

Driver and front passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors and ticket holder

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

Noise Level dB(A): 68

CO: 0.102

HC: N

NOx: 0.035

HC+NOx: 0.053

Particles: 0.0005

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 313

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 199

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 212

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 214

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 231

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 214

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90

CC: 2993

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 16.5:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Engine Code: B57D30T3

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 23.7

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 37.2

WLTP - MPG - High: 40.9

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 34.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 34.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 35.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 32.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 11.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 7.6

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 6.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.8

General

Coin Series: M Sport [Ultimate]

Coin Description: 40d xDrive

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 352

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

AdBlue: No

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.9

Top Speed: 152

Engine Power - BHP: 352

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 259

Engine Power - RPM: 4400

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 531

Engine Torque - NM: 720

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Engine Torque - MKG: 73.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 285/45 R21

Tyre Size Rear: 285/45 R21

Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE - STYLE 754 M

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5181

Width: 2000

Wheelbase: 3105

Width (including mirrors): 2218

Height: 1835

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2490

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3325

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 80

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 3500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 835

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 300

No. of Seats: 7

Max. Roof Load: 100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 2120

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Embellishment Trims

BMW Individual fine wood ash open pored interior trim

BMW Individual piano black interior trim

Fineline black wood with metal effect interior trim

Carbon fibre interior trim

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Additional BMW Individual Metallic paint

BMW Individual paint

BMW Individual Metallic paint

Interior Features

BMW Individual full merino leather upholstery in combination with exclusive pack or ultimate pack

Sensafin upholstery

BMW Individual headliner alcantara

Packs

M sport package pro with blue caliper - X7

Ultimate pack with M Sport front seats/Iconic glow crystal headlights - X7

xOffroad pack - X7

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Manhattan

Metallic - Mineral white

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Black sapphire

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Paint - Special

Additional BMW Individual metallic paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual paint - Custom

BMW Individual metallic paint - Dravit grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

Towing

Towbar

Trim - Leather

BMW Individual extended Merino leather - Tartufo

BMW Individual extended Merino leather - Ivory white

Sensafin - Black

Sensafin - Silverstone

BMW Individual extended Merino leather - Black

BMW individual full Merino leather in combination with exclusive pack or ultimate pack - Black

BMW individual full Merino leather in combination with exclusive pack or ultimate pack - Ivory white/atlas grey

BMW individual full Merino leather in combination with exclusive pack or ultimate pack - Tartufo

Wheels - Alloy

22" Double spoke bicolour alloy wheels - style 913 M with run flat tyres

22" V Spoke alloy wheels in jet black - style 755 M with run flat tyres

23" BMW individual V Spoke alloy wheels in bicolour finish - style 914

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit