2021 BMW ALPINA XB7 Review

　　

2021 BMW Alpina XB7 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Alpina has been tuning and modifying BMWs for decades. Its latest project is the 2021 BMW Alpina XB7. The XB7 is based on BMW's big three-row SUV, the X7. As with other Alpina models, it features higher-quality interior materials, subtle exterior styling changes and an upgraded powertrain.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW ALPINA XB7 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$267/mo  for ALPINA XB7 Base

　　ALPINA XB7 Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $141,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The XB7 joins Alpina's other model, the 7 Series-based B7. The XB7 costs significantly more than a regular X7, but it comes with more power from its turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While the X7's M50i trim makes 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque with this setup, the XB7 cranks up the knob to generate 612 hp and 590 lb-ft. An Alpina-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, standard rear-wheel steering (which helps make the X7 feel more nimble when turning), and optional 23-inch wheels are part of the XB7's repertoire.

　　There are only a handful of three-row luxury SUVs to choose from in the XB7's price range. The closest competitor to the XB7 comes from Mercedes-Benz. Its AMG GLS 63 packs similar performance and luxury accoutrements. You might also consider the Cadillac Escalade, which is all-new for 2021. Does the Alpina XB7 have the right mix of luxury and performance for you? Read our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth analysis.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the ALPINA XB7 drive? BMW doesn't currently build a full M version of its large X7 SUV, but the Alpina-tuned XB7 comes reasonably close to offering that level of performance. The XB7's turbocharged V8 makes more power than anything else in BMW's lineup, save for the bonkers M8 Competition. Acceleration is blazingly quick (0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, in our testing), and the brakes are powerful enough to slow the XB7 down better than most sports cars.

　　The XB7 is reasonably nimble on a winding road, but it feels much more at home in the city or out on the highway. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the quick, light steering makes turning or parking relatively easy. Occasionally the brakes can be too sensitive, making it tricky to stop smoothly, but overall braking performance is on par for the class.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the ALPINA XB7? Disappointingly, the XB7 isn't more comfortable than a regular BMW X7. We expect more considering the price gap between the pair and the vehicles the XB7 competes against. The seats in all three rows are reasonably comfortable, but, despite plenty of adjustment, we never quite settled in.

　　The XB7's ride quality is also underwhelming. On anything less than perfect pavement, the XB7 doesn't feel as quiet and isolating as its rivals. The ride quality isn't harsh, but it doesn't glide over pavement either.

　　The climate control system is a mixed bag too. The settings aren't intuitive and require constant manual fiddling to get what you want. We like the standard heated and ventilated seats, but overall the Alpina lacks polish.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Save for some minor trim pieces and Alpina logos, the interior of the XB7 is identical to the regular X7's. That's both a good and bad thing. The interior is relatively spacious, though adults will find the third row lacks shoulder room. It's at least easy to crawl back there since the adjustable air suspension and large doors make getting in and out pretty easy. Visibility is good for such a large SUV. The standard surround-view camera, parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring help out a lot, especially in tight parking lots.

　　Getting your preferred driving position is easy thanks to lots of seat adjustment and an upright but comfortable view ahead. On the downside, many of the XB7's controls are frustrating to use. There are plenty of buttons, but it's not always clear which ones control which settings.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Alpina XB7 is loaded with tech, and almost all of it comes as standard equipment. BMW includes a full suite of driver aids, from adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking to surround-view cameras and parking sensors. It all works well too. The adaptive cruise holds a tight gap but doesn't tap the brakes constantly like less refined systems. The lane-centering is equally impressive.

　　While we may not love the XB7's gesture controls, its voice command system is much more useful. It understands natural language and can control a variety of features, including adjusting the climate control and setting navigation directions. BMW has finally come around and stopped charging a subscription for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which work wirelessly, a boon for those who prefer to just use their phones for navigation and music.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Luxury SUVs need to be as practical as they are well appointed, and the XB7 does pretty well here. Cargo space behind the third row is typical for a luxury SUV of this type. Drop the seats and the space opens up greatly, though it's not quite as massive inside as the Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade. Those big domestic SUVs can also tow more — properly equipped, the XB7's maximum towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.

　　Small-item storage is mixed. The door pockets are massive, but the center console is shallow. Putting things in the front cupholders blocks access to the wireless charging pad. Got kids? The XB7 is a capable family hauler. The second-row seating area is roomy enough for rear-facing child safety seats, and the seat anchor points are easy to access. You can also lower the XB7's ride height to make it easier for small kids to climb in.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Alpina XB7 gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway). We matched that figure on our 115-mile evaluation route, so the EPA figures should be fairly accurate if you drive with a light foot. That's average economy for this class in which almost all members are powered by V8 engines. Some rivals are a bit less thirsty in the city, but only by a small margin.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the ALPINA XB7 a good value? The XB7 looks and feels like a premium vehicle, but it doesn't do anything to fully stand out. Outside of the extra power, the Alpina XB7 isn't noticeably better than a standard BMW X7. Factor in the price gap between the Alpina and a regular X7 and it's even harder to swallow, even if you consider the upgraded interior. The XB7 does include just about every available feature as standard equipment, but the overall package isn't totally worth the premium.

　　BMW includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. It also includes four years of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Alpina XB7 is one of those vehicles that should stand out to those who know what the Alpina badge means. But the special wheels and slight design tweaks don't do a lot to separate it from the rest of BMW's SUV lineup. Is it fun to drive? Sort of. The subtle looks do make it a bit of a sleeper given the potent V8, but the XB7 is too big and bulky to really enjoy driving along a curvy road.

　　

Which ALPINA XB7 does zzdcar recommend?

There's only one trim level, so picking an Alpina XB7 is simply a matter of deciding which options you'd like to add. Our money would go toward the panoramic roof with LED lighting, second-row captain's chairs and the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins audio system. If you can spare tha change, the optional 23-inch signature Alpina wheels are a must-have.

　　

2021 BMW ALPINA XB7 models

The BMW Alpina XB7 is a three-row luxury SUV powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine (612 horsepower, 590 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. No trim levels are offered for the XB7 and only a few stand-alone options are available. Highlighted features include:

　　Alpina XB7

　　Includes many luxury and technology features as standard equipment, such as:

　　21-inch wheels Adaptive air suspension Adaptive LED headlights (redirect light as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Panoramic sunroof Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Rear-passenger power sunshades Leather upholstery Heated and ventilated front seats with massageTechnology and driver assist features include:

　　Wireless charger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless connectivity Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Gesture control (allows you to use hand gestures to operate certain infotainment functions) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the XB7 and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XB7 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)From here, you can pick from a handful of options, including:

　　23-inch wheels Built-in trailer hitch Panoramic sunroof with LED lighting Five-zone automatic climate control Second-row captain's chairs Bowers & Wilkins audio system Rear-seat entertainment system Faux suede headliner

　　

2021 ALPINA XB7 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$141,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$267/month
Seating	7 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles