BMW X7

A Limo On Stilts

The X7 is BMW’s flagship SUV, and the folks at BMW have thrown everything they have at it. An obnoxiously large grille? Check. Obnoxiously large wheels? Check. Obnoxiously large dimensions? Also Check. It has space inside to seat up to seven people in three rows comfortably, and it offers enough comfort and tech to make you feel like you’re in 2030. However, the X7 is not just trying to be a large SUV, it is also trying to be an alternative for a limo like the 7-series. And that makes sense for a country like India where people are obsessed with SUVs, thanks to bumpy and broken roads, potholes, and speed breakers all around. Does it pack enough to substitute for a luxury sedan though? 

BMW X7 Pros and Cons 

BMW X7 Exterior Design 

The latest BMW X7 facelift showcases a bold design update, maintaining its massive kidney grille, now complemented by LED DRLs that sit in the traditional headlamps position, and headlamps positioned on the bumper; something which we have seen on the 7-series and a handful of other cars ranging as low as the Tata Punch. 

However, while some vehicles have pulled this design language off well, on the X7, it looks a bit excessive and won’t be to everyone’s taste. Polarising face aside, the X7's road presence is undeniable, which is further accentuated by huge 21-inch wheels. Sleek LED tail-lamps connected by a chrome strip keep the rear clean and less polarising, whilst also showing the volume of this 5+ metre long mammoth.  

BMW X7 Interiors 

This being BMW's flagship luxury SUV, the focus is, unsurprisingly, on enhancing the luxury and comfort inside. Here, the X7 packs all of BMW's cutting-edge tech, which amongst other things includes a 14.9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sitting in a shared curved housing, dominating the dashboard. The absence of physical controls — with most controls on the infotainment screen — reflects BMW's shift towards a more digital cabin. However, this shift means that the physical buttons for AC controls are also deleted, and operating the same from the screen while driving will mean your chauffeur will have to deal with some distractions. 

Luckily for them, the back seat passengers get their independent climate controls, apart from a bunch of other features. Despite this being a flagship luxury SUV, BMW wants you to drive it, since features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, are only available to the front passengers. Bummer!

While you may miss those features in the back seat, the interior does boast top-notch build quality, with luxurious materials covering almost every touchpoint. The rear captain seats offer ample space, and the third row is also comfortable, highlighting the X7's focus on providing exceptional comfort for all. Despite some misses, the X7's cabin is a masterclass in luxury SUV design and is rivalled only by a few, like the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

BMW X7 Comfort 

The X7's seating — especially in the front — offers high levels of comfort that exceed expectations. And with the inclusion of heating and ventilation, BMW has ensured a premium travel experience for the driver and co-passenger. For the middle row, BMW offers a choice of either a bench seat or captain seats, making this either a 6- or 7-seater. The middle-row captain seats are almost as comfortable and spacious as the front row, but lack some amenities found in the front like seat heating, ventilation, and massaging, which should've been standard at this price point. 

Given the extravagant dimensions, three abreast in the middle row in the 7-seater variant is also fairly comfortable. Still, unless you need to use all 7 seats often, we’d recommend you to stick with the 6-seater for the added luxury it offers for middle-row passengers. The third row is also surprisingly comfortable with enough space for two even on longer journeys, thanks to its extravagant 5.2 metres length. 

Despite its tall seating, ingress and egress are easy too, thanks to the air suspension which can lower the X7 for passengers to get in and out. The air suspension also offers a balanced ride across various terrains, thanks to the ability to adjust ride height. 

Bump absorption is also fairly good at high speed, and the X7 maintains its composure as roads get rough too. However, the large wheels contribute to a firm ride at lower speeds allowing sharp bumps and potholes to filter in — a trade-off for X7's impressive handling and aesthetics. It would’ve been a sensible choice if BMW offered smaller wheels as an option, especially taking Indian city roads into account.

BMW X7 Performance and Handling

The X7 is offered with two powertrain options in India — the xDrive40d (a diesel), and the xDrive40i (a petrol). They are both 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder units, with very similar levels of performance (0-100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds in the petrol, and 5.9 in the diesel) and bear similar price tags too. However, what’s different between the engines is how the performance is accessed. The petrol engine gets a higher power output than the diesel (375 bhp to the diesel’s 335 bhp), and therefore it is more free-revving, brisk, and light on its feet. On the other hand, the diesel gets more torque than the petrol (a full 700 Nm to the petrol’s 520 Nm), which pins you in the seat when you accelerate and makes sure the X7 always has enough grunt even if it is full with 7 people. And while the acceleration times are very similar, the engines perform differently and will therefore suit different driving styles. Which one should be the pick for you then, is a question that can only be answered by you after a test drive. Unless of course, you live in Delhi NCR.

Both engines on offer ensure the X7 is both quick and refined, and you won’t be hearing much from them unless you really plant your foot to the floor. The quick 8-speed automatic gearbox reacts to inputs swiftly, and if that is not enough it also gets paddle shifters, emphasising BMW’s driver-centric approach. Despite its size, the X7 exhibits commendable agility, with the air suspension and drive modes allowing for a dynamic driving experience that's unexpectedly nimble for such a large SUV. However, it doesn’t shrink around you like most other BMWs do, which is no surprise.

BMW X7 Key specifications

BMW X7 Safety Features

The BMW X7 comes equipped with an array of safety features, including autonomous braking, lane keep assist, and lane mitigation warning, highlighting BMW's commitment to passenger safety. However, the absence of adaptive cruise control in the ADAS package is notable, especially considering its price point. While it's loaded with safety features to its gills and is also assembled on a soundly made chassis, it is yet to be crash tested by any new car assessment programmes (NCAP). Its smaller siblings — the X5, X3, and X1 — all scored 5 stars when tested by Euro NCAP, which sets high expectations from the X7. 

BMW X7 Technology and Infotainment

Embedded right onto the dash of the BMW X7 is a large curved housing, which is home to two screens — a large 14.9-inch infotainment unit, and a 12.3-digital instrument cluster. The screens get BMW’s latest iDrive 8.0 operating system, which offers crisp graphics, smooth animations, and a very rich user experience. The instrument cluster is also customizable, but can be information-heavy. Navigation with an augmented reality (AR) function is a standout feature, which shows directions from the map right on the camera feed, offering convenience and ease of use. The updated iDrive system though presents a steep learning curve, thanks to being feature-rich and technologically advanced. And you’d also miss the inclusion of physical controls for some basic adjustments like the air-conditioner — the controls for which now are buried in the infotainment. Despite these drawbacks, the X7's tech offerings are comprehensive, catering to tech-savvy users seeking the latest in automotive technology.  

Is the BMW X7 for you?

The X7 is the apex BMW SUV, packing in everything that BMW has to offer. It is one of the largest models in BMW’s range, seats the most people, and gets a long list of features too. Yes, there are some misses; the ride could’ve been softer for example. But those misses aside, there isn’t much to fault about the X7, making it a very strong contender in the luxury SUV space, especially if you prefer driving yourself.