BMW X7 review

The BMW X7 is kind of a big deal. So big, in fact, it lets you arrive at an event in a vehicle that seems larger than the venue – and you can take six people along for the ride.

You see, the X7 is the biggest car BMW makes, and it traverses two car classes – seven-seaters and luxury cars. As well as offering seemingly endless interior space, it aims to pamper its driver and passengers as attentively as the BMW 7 Series luxury limo.

But is the BMW X7 really good enough to tempt you away from other premium-badged seven-seaters, including the Audi Q7, Mercedes GLS and Range Rover?

BMW X7 Video Review

Well, we've tested it extensively, and in this review we’ll run you through how well the BMW X7 stacks up for practicality, comfort and refinement, as well as how much it costs to buy and run. Read on to find out everything you need to know...

If you’re happy with a diesel, there’s the mightily impressive BMW X7 xDrive40d, which has a 347bhp six-cylinder engine. It helps this big SUV sprint from 0-62mph in a remarkably swift 5.9 seconds – faster than a Mercedes GLS 450d or a Range Rover D350.

The cheapest petrol engine is the six-cylinder xDrive40i. It's quiet when you want it to be and yet pleasantly snarly when you’re pressing on. It’s also very smooth and offers fractionally quicker acceleration than the 40d diesel (0-62mph in 5.8 seconds). All things considered it's our favourite engine.

The most potent engine is under the bonnet of the M60i. There you'll find a 4.4-litre V8 petrol with an monstrous 523bhp, capable of hauling the X7 from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds. It's a great engine, although hardly the sensible choice.

All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that shifts gears quickly and smoothly, but also allows you to take manual control using paddles behind the steering wheel. There can be a small delay when you plant your right foot to ask for a quick burst of acceleration, but it’s nothing compared with the pause that afflicts some rivals, including the Audi Q7.

When it comes to ride comfort, the standard air suspension does a fine job of soaking up whatever Britain's battered roads can throw at it. The X7 is more comfortable than the GLS and even edges the Range Rover, as long as you avoid the slightly firmer M60i and stick with 21in alloys (up to 23in wheels are available).

This is a big, heavy car, so it doesn't feel as light on its toes as a Porsche Cayenne or the smaller BMW X5 – even if you go for the M60i. Nevertheless, the X7 is surprisingly agile if you put the standard air suspension in its Sport setting and feels far more gainly than a Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes GLS. 

This is particularly true if you buy a version with active anti-roll bars. These are fitted as standard to the range-topping M60i, or part of the optional (and pricey) Ultimate Pack with other engines.

In common with other big BMWs, the steering is accurate, smooth and reassuringly weighted. You wouldn’t describe the X7 as fun or rewarding to drive along a meandering country lane, but then few big SUVs are. The exceptions are the Cayenne and, for even bigger spenders, the Aston Martin DBX – although those alternatives are far less practical.

The X7 is one of the quietest cars we've ever tested, with very little tyre or wind noise, whether you're munching through motorway miles or negotiating urban traffic. In town, the optional four-wheel steering (standard on the M60i) greatly aids manoeuvrability by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts. It’s a must-have if you do lots of driving in built-up areas.

Off road, the X7 is able to tackle rougher terrain than most buyers will ever need it to. You can also select the optional xOffroad package with the 40i and 40d engines, which adds extra underbody protection and drive settings to suit different surfaces. However, the best off-roader among luxury SUVs is the Range Rover.

“For a huge seven-seat SUV weighing around two and a half tonnes, I was astonished at how tidily the BMW X7 handles.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Every surface you touch inside the BMW X7 screams quality and craftsmanship, and no rival short of the vastly more expensive Bentley Bentayga can compete for build quality.

That said, we can see why you'd prefer the more restrained, conservative design of the Range Rover interior or the more flamboyant look inside the Mercedes GLS.

In terms of dashboard lay-out, the X7 is similar to the BMW X5, with the same curved 14.9in touchscreen and adjoining 12.3in digital driver's display.

The infotainment system is generally very easy to use, and can be operated using an intuitive rotary controller positioned between the seats, or through the voice-control system. When you're driving, both methods are less distracting than stabbing away at the touchscreen.

The only slight disappointment is that there are no physical controls for the air-conditioning. Instead, you have to adjust the interior temperature either by using the touchscreen or firing out voice commands – the switches and knobs in the Range Rover are less distracting to use when you're driving.

Behind the wheel, you’ll find a typically high-set luxury SUV driving position. As standard you get electrically adjustable front seats, which are supremely comfortable and easy to fine-tune. Both front seats are heated, and you can add ventilation and massaging functions if you wish.

While there are no notable flaws when it comes to the X7’s visibility, a car this bulky can present a few manoeuvring challenges. Fortunately, front and rear parking sensors, all-round cameras and a self-parking system come as standard.

“I know the BMW X7's interior doesn't look as flashy as those of some rivals but, objectively speaking, it's impeccably well-finished.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

The BMW X7 is simply huge – bigger even than a standard-wheelbase Range Rover – and as a result it has masses of interior space. It’s tall and airy in the front, and so wide that the driver almost feels as though they’re in a different postcode to their front passenger. 

There’s also plenty of room for those on the second-row seats to stretch out, and with no shortage of head, leg or shoulder room, even three adults sitting side-by-side here will be relatively comfortable.

The second row has a separate climate-control zone for each side of the car along with heated seats for the outer passengers. The seats can be moved forwards and backwards electrically in a 60/40 split, and the backrest folded down in a 40/20/40 configuration.

Like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLS, the X7 has a third row of seats as standard, meaning it can carry up to seven people. These rearmost seats can be raised or lowered electrically.

You can have seven seats in a Range Rover, too, but only if you go for the eye-wateringly expensive long-wheelbase version. And if you do, the third row still isn't as roomy as an X7's – particularly when it comes to head room.

The X7’s third-row seats are also far more spacious than those in an Audi Q7 or Volvo XC90. Even a couple of six-footers will fit comfortably enough. Access to the third row is surprisingly good, too, and you can opt to add a further fifth climate control zone for your rearmost passengers.

For buyers who don't need seven seats, the X7 is also offered as a six-seater, with an even more luxurious lay-out. It costs a bit more and replaces the three-person second-row bench with two individual chairs, each with its own armrests.

As for the boot, the X7 – like the BMW X5 – has a split tailgate, with a lower section that flips out to serve as a handy perch to sit on when taking off muddy wellies. There’s space in the boot for a couple of suitcases, even when all three rows of seats are in use.

In five-seat mode, the boot is simply enormous, although its 750-litre capacity is a bit less than that of the Mercedes GLS. The X7's load bay is positively monstrous when the second-row seats are folded flat, and there are even some handy underfloor storage compartments.

“If you have the budget and simply need as much space as possible, I’d highly recommend the BMW X7.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

If you want a premium-badged SUV that seats seven in comfort, the BMW X7 isn't the cheapest option: an Audi Q7 or Land Rover Discovery will do the job for less.

Likewise, if you don't need that many seats but like the rest of the X7 package, you might be better off with the cheaper but still excellent BMW X5. However, if you’re looking for maximum space, versatility and luxury, the X7 is untouchable – and a far better buy than the similar-sized Mercedes GLS.

According to official figures, the X7’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions are a close match for those of its key rivals. If you have one eye on keeping your fuel bills down, go for the 40d diesel, which suits the X7 really well while also offering much better fuel economy than either of the petrols.

The X7 isn’t particularly attractive to company car drivers because there’s no plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version to keep BIK tax down. There is a PHEV version of the smaller BMW X5 and Range Rover.

The X7's entry-level Excellence trim comes loaded with kit, including air suspension, four-zone climate control and heated front seats. The M Sport model adds sporty cosmetic touches and upgraded brakes.

Meanwhile, the X7 M60i stands as a trim level in its own right, adding a limited-slip differential (LSD) on the rear axle to increase cornering traction, as well as active anti-roll bars.

Our advice is to go for M Sport trim. It’s only slightly more expensive than Excellence but its extra desirability means it should be worth more when you come to sell, and monthly PCP finance costs aren't much higher.

You'll still probably want to consider adding some options, and to experience the X7 at its brilliant best, we'd recommend the Ultimate Pack. It's very expensive but bundles together lots of desirable extras, including four-wheel steering, five-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, BMW came eighth out of the 31 manufacturers rated. That's higher than premium rivals Audi, Mercedes and Land Rover. A three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty is provided as standard.

The X7 hasn't been crash-tested by Euro NCAP but it does come with lots of standard active safety technology, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) and rear cross-traffic alert, which warns you about approaching vehicles when you're backing out on to a road.

“I wouldn’t disagree with anyone who says the BMW X7 is pricey, but you’ll struggle to find anything that matches its range of talents – at any price.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

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