2021 BMW X7 Review

　　

2021 BMW X7 Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The X7 is BMW's biggest SUV. A class up from the midsize X5, the X7 is a large luxury SUV that comes standard with three rows of seating. (A third row is optional on the X5.) Since it's larger than the X5, the X7 has more room in the third row and accommodates big families a bit better. For 2021, the X7 maintains a long list of luxurious standard features, along with high-end options such as an automated parking system and a dual-screen rear entertainment system.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$222/mo  for X7 xDrive40i

　　X7 xDrive40i

　　xDrive40i 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $74,900 MSRPM50i 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $99,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　When it comes to luxury appointments, available powertrains and overall quality, it's hard to find fault with the 2021 BMW X7. The X7 isn't without drawbacks, such as the confusing climate-control interface and the big price tag (especially when you start adding options), but we consider it a strong contender in its class. Read our full Expert Rating of the BMW X7 to see how it stacks up against competitors in every category from value to performance.

　　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

8.0/10

　　How does the X7 drive? We tested the X7 in xDrive50i guise, which comes with the 456-horsepower V8. It provides simply delightful acceleration. But there can be a small delay between the time you touch the gas pedal and when you start moving, and that can make low-speed driving annoying.

　　When you're going straight, the steering provides good on-center feel. It's a bit inconsistent in turns, though. It can be too quick and the level of power assist can be too high for the size and nature of this vehicle. Other times it can feel resistant to turning. Once you're going around a bend, though, the X7 is thoroughly stable and composed.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the X7? Our test X7 had the available road-scanning system that adjusts the suspension based on what it sees. The system is effective at keeping the ride smooth over bigger bumps, but it struggles on relatively smooth or undulating roads and makes the X7 ride too soft.

　　Inside the cabin, the wide front seatbacks can accommodate a variety of body types. We also like the low levels of wind and road noise. We're less fond of the climate control system. Even when you select the auto setting, you often need to make additional adjustments to the fan intensity and temperature of the dash panel vents. What's the point of auto? You have to continually fiddle with the controls to maintain comfort.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Ample adjustment options ensure you can find the right seating position, while the large windows, mirrors and an extensive camera array provide a commanding outward view. There's plenty of space for the family, though in interior measurements, the X7 doesn't match up to some competitors. The sole exception is third-row shoulder room, which is remarkably tight even by third-row standards.

　　Operating the controls is a mixed bag. Most buttons are easy to find. Gesture controls are an easily ignorable gimmick, but other parts are baffling. For example, sometimes the stereo turns off when you open the door to exit. Other times it waits until you've exited and locked the door.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The large and crisp displays are easy to read and react quickly to control inputs and voice commands. But the complexity of the underlying systems and somewhat convoluted menu layout mean there's a steep learning curve. As of a retroactive released in July 2020, the X7 now comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard.

　　In the right circumstances, such as stop-and-go traffic, the X7's adaptive cruise control system controls speed and steering without driver input, only asking that you keep your eyes on the road (verified with a driver-facing camera).

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The X7 has plenty of room and smart cargo-storage options, though it's not as spacious as some oversize luxury SUVs. The bisected hatch provides an always useful tailgate. And we like the deep storage space underneath the third row where a spare tire would typically reside. While the door pockets are large, interior storage options are merely adequate.

　　Power-adjusting and -folding second and third rows are slow but easy to operate. They also provide neat features such as max cargo and passenger buttons that arrange the seats accordingly. When equipped with the optional tow hook, the X7 can tow 7,500 pounds, which is about average among three-row SUVs of this size.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We tested the V8-powered xDrive50i model. It gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is about average for a big luxury SUV with a V8. Our test X7 posted 19.6 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, so attaining the EPA's numbers should be pretty easy. If you want better fuel economy, consider the X7's six-cylinder xDrive40i model, which is rated at 21 mpg combined.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the X7 a good value? The X7's price, features and build quality live up to what you'd expect from a large German luxury SUV. The uniform interior panel gaps relay a strong sense of build quality, while extensive and high-quality leather and trimmings reinforce the high-end experience. The four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties are average when you look at similar vehicles. But BMW goes a bit above average by covering scheduled maintenance for three years/36,000 miles and providing 24-hour roadside assistance for four years without a mileage restriction.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The X7's massive grille and narrow headlights give it an imposing road presence when viewed from the front. The interior relays that hard-to-place sense of luxury too. Factor in the X7's beefy power and you've got a luxury SUV that makes an appropriately big and bold statement.

　　

Which X7 does zzdcar recommend?

Consider sticking with the base X7 xDrive40i. The turbocharged six-cylinder under the hood is adequate for an SUV this size. What's more, for 2021, the X7 no longer has its midlevel trim, the xDrive50i. That means the gap between the base model and the topped-out M50i is much larger. Not too many buyers will need the performance provided by the rowdy V8 under the hood of the M50i.

　　

2021 BMW X7 models

The 2021 BMW X7 is a seven-passenger, three-row SUV that is available in two trim levels: xDrive40i and M50i. The xDrive40i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine, paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Total output is 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The M50i uses a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

　　xDrive40i

　　Even though it's the base trim, the xDrive40i includes an impressive list of features including:

　　Self-leveling air-ride suspension 21-inch wheels Adaptive LED headlights Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Power dual-section tailgate Remote start Panoramic sunroofInterior features include:

　　Four-zone automatic climate control Remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app Simulated leather upholstery (SensaTec) with wood trim Heated front seats Heated front armrests and steering wheelStandard technology and safety features for the X7 include:

　　12.3-inch central touchscreen with navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Digital gauge cluster Wireless charging pad 10-speaker sound system Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) M50i

　　Along with its more powerful engine, the M50i adds:

　　22-inch wheels Adaptive sport suspension Sport differential M Sport brakes with blue calipers Multicontour front seats Soft-close doors Head-up display Infotainment gesture control (controlling features like volume and track selection by gesturing with your hands) Surround-view camera 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound systemMost of the X7's options are bundled in packages. Here are some of the major ones and their contents:

　　Cold Weather package:

　　Front and rear heated seats Five-zone climate controlDriving Assistance Professional package:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the X7 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Collision detection with automatic lane change assist Forward cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle in front you is about to cross your vehicle's path)Other options include:

　　Ventilated and massaging front seats Running boards Upgraded trailer hitch Second-row captain's chairs 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system Panoramic sunroof with embedded LED lighting Dual-screen rear entertainment system Dark Shadow Edition (M50i with special dark gray paint and trim)

　　

2021 X7 Highlights

Type: SUVM50iSUV

　　Trim: xDrive40iM50ixDrive40i

　　

Base MSRP	$74,900
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$222/month
Seating	7 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles