It was a good 18 years after BMW launched its first SUV, the X5, before the brand produced a true 3-row crossover in the X7. By that time Audi, Mercedes, Volvo, and Acura who started the genre had two or more generations of such products behind them. BMW's hesitation can be understood, primarily because the bigger a BMW is, the harder it is to deliver the deft and agile handling that built the brand’s reputation. But by 2018, even the famed 3-Series was fading in that area but kept on selling, so the X7 may have come at an ideal time.

The closest competitors to the X7 are the Audi Q7 and Mercedes Benz GLS-Class. The X7 and GLS both command a starting price in the mid-70s. The Q7 starts around $60K but can get up to the mid-70s if you work at it. The secondary competitors are all less expensive such as the Volvo XC90 with its overachieving 4-cylinder engines and a model price range from $57K – 79K. The Lincoln Aviator is in the mix with a model price range of $56K – 90K. The Genesis GV80, which starts at $62.4K, borders on being a 2-row crossover with a third row stuffed in the back. On the opposite side of the size spectrum, you have the opulent full-size truck-wagons such as the Cadillac Escalade starting at $79K and the Lexus LX, which starts at a lofty $90K. Both of these behemoths have no trouble getting into 6 digits, and neither does the X7.

The X7 also doesn’t give up much in terms of size. It has a 122.3 wheelbase which is 1.2” shorter than the GLS, but longer than the Escalade (120.9). The latter is still longer, wider and taller and the Lexus is nearly as tall (but curiously, with the shortest wheelbase of the whole group), but the closely matched X7 and GLS are bigger overall than the rest of the group.

Two Powertrains, Three States Of Tune

BMW X7 Costs, Facts and Figures
Via BMW

The X7 model line starts with the brand’s famous 3.0-liter inline-6, with a twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve control as well as eBoost 48V mild-hybrid technology.

Step up to the X7 M50i and you find another tried and true BMW engine in the 4.4-liter V8. It is twin-turbocharged to produce 523 hp @ 5500 rpm and 553 ft-lbs. @ 1800 rpm, and uses the same 8-speed transmission and xDrive system.

At the top of the range, ALPINA tunes this engine to 612 hp @ 5,500 – 6,600 and 590 lb-ft @ 2,000 – 5,000 rpm. Two twin-scroll turbochargers with 2.1" turbines are behind the boost with two additional water-cooled heat exchangers, and an enlarged transmission oil cooler. ALPINA also enhanced the transmission's manual shift ability, reducing manual shifts to tenths of a second.

Ride And Handling

All X7s have xDrive, which uses an electronically actuated differential to distribute torque to the front and rear. Normal operation has a 40:60 front/rear distribution, but all of the torque can be distributed to the front of the rear is without traction. The X7 system also features Driving Dynamics Control which is a torque-vectoring system for the rear wheels.

The front suspension is a double-wishbone design with a multi-link arrangement in the rear. All X7 models come standard with 2-axle self-leveling air suspension. While it is difficult to get coil springs to be truly progressive, (soak up small bumps, but firm up to respond to big ones) air springs are progressive naturally. The system adjusts to stabilize the vehicle in all terrain and can lower the vehicle by about 1.6 inches by switch, and automatically lowers the car about 0.8 of an inch when at speed.

The 4-wheel disc brakes are augmented by Dynamic Brake Control. Monitoring speed and brake pedal pressure, it can identify an emergency braking situation and will apply full braking power, and when needed, will put the level of brake force to the point where ABS is applied.

Related: Here's What We Expect From The 2022 Subaru WRX

Appearance And Features

BMW X7 Costs, Facts and Figures
Via BMW

The X7 was the first BMW to sport the shockingly large twin-kidney grille. Though it stays above bumper level, unlike the 4-Series. The rest of the styling is exactly what you expect from BMW, just on a larger canvas. The only real surprise is the satin aluminum hockey stick trim along both sides which is matched by the finish on the grille, roof rails, exhaust outlets, and horizontal tail light trim. Standard 21” wheels look proportional.

SensaTec is the name for BMW’s synthetic leather and it is the X7’s standard upholstery. The dash design retains BMW’s horizontal multi-tier theme for the center controls with real buttons, though once you notice its rectilinear alien face you never unsee it. The 12.3” display has a sloping back that keeps it from looking like an iPad glued in place. It is remarkably clean and maybe even sparse for the segment, but set off nicely with real wood with satin aluminum edges.

You have all the expected features for this high-end segment such as 16-way power front seats, memory for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, 4-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers that automatically turn on the headlights, auto high beams, multi-color ambient lighting, power tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof that slides and tilts.

The instrument cluster is a configurable 12.3” LED display that can show the nav map between the main gauges on its perimeter. The center display can be operated by a touch screen or separate controller.

Smartphone connectivity includes Qi wireless charging, though Apple Carplay and Android Auto still require a connection. The X7 can be its own Wifi hotspot at least for three months before there is a monthly subscription fee. Sirius XM gives you a trial run of one whole year before they ask for a monthly fee. Audio is an in-house 205-watt digital amplifier system with ten speakers. There is a USB-C port with 3-amp charging ability in the backrest of each front seat, which is kind of different.

The driver-assist system is there with Frontal Collision Warning, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and Dynamic Cruise Control, plus front and rear Park Distance Control. The Active Protection System engages if sensors indicate a collision is imminent, by pre by pre-tensioning safety belts, closing windows and moonroof, and activating post-crash braking. There is also a Fatigue and Focus Alert which uses a dash-mounted camera to do just as it sounds.

Three Trims, Three Big Steps

X7 xDrive 40i

The features listed above all apply to the X7 base model, which despite the number in its name is powered by the turbocharged 3.0L inline-6. It is good for a sprint to 60 in 5.8 seconds, has a top speed of 130 and EPA rates it at 19/24/21 (city/hwy/comb.).

There are 14 exterior colors, only three of which cost extra. A $4,350 M Sport Package blacks out the side trim and adds five-split-spoke wheels and Vernasca leather seats. If you don’t get this package, you have three 21” wheel choices. There are also three 22” wheel choices for $1300. The Sensa Tec seats are only in black. The choices up from start with Vernasca Leather in three browns or one black for $1450. There Is also a Merino Leather over that in five colors for $2,450 plus one IvoryWhite/Night Blue that runs $5,150. Of the six wood trim choices, only two cost extra at $1,080. Not all woods can be matched with all interior colors. Seven option packages and about a dozen individual options take it from there.

X7 M50i

The X7 xDrive 50i was discontinued for 2021, making the next step up the M50i, which makes an almost $25K leap up from the base model to $99,800. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 is now under the hood and its 523 hp and 553 lb-ft will scoot this 5661-pound truck to 60 in 4,5 seconds. EPA mpg drops accordingly to 15/21/17.

The standard wheels are now 22”, and in the front below the big twin kidneys are three more gaping intakes.  Inside, the Vernasca leather is standard as is an Anthracite Alcantara® headliner. The audio system is now a Harman Kardon® Surround Sound Audio System with a 464-watt amplifier driving 16 speakers.

Related: These Are The Coolest Alpina BMWs Ever

ALPINA XB7

ALPINA has been an outside enhancer of BMWs for decades. Unlike M or AMG, ALPINA focuses as much on enhancing elegance as performance. Though they have always had a close connection, it is only recently that BMW has formally added ALPINA models into its line-up. ALPINA says it “creates exclusive automobiles for a small circle of connoisseurs” and they price things accordingly, as the ALPINA XB7 leaps up to $141,300.

Alpina XB7
Via: BMW Media

The engine is now referred to as the “4.4-liter BMW ALPINA Bi-Turbo V-8” and is stoked up to 612 hp @ 5500-6500 and 612 lb-ft@ 5500-6500. That knocks the 0-60 to an even four seconds and can send you up to a top speed of 180; almost as fast as Joe Walsh’s Maserati. Somehow, the EPA mpg holds steady at 15/21/17. Unique front and rear lower bodywork, finned 5-spoke wheels, and ALPINA badging are the exterior indicators that you decided money is no object when filling out the order sheet.

Inside, the shifter and other key controls are in glass crystal. The Merino quilted leather is throughout the interior, including the dash (non-quilted). The leather steering wheel is hand-finished and there are ALPINA exclusive wood trims.

Unless the Hummer EV and Tesla Cybertruck spark an explosion of massive half-ton truck-sized EV vehicles in the luxury car world, this is probably as big as a BMW is going to get. It may handle well for its size, but simply has no chance of delivering the dynamics that gave BMW its once “Ultimate Driving Machine” reputation. Thus, how you feel about the X7 may well depend on when you started noticing BMWs and what you admired most about them.

Source: BMW media and website, BMWForum, ALPINA website, Automotive News

Next: Here's How Reliable The BMW 6-Series Is In 2021