2023 BMW ALPINA XB7 SUV

　　

2023 BMW Alpina XB7 Review

byJosh JacquotCorrespondent

　　Josh Jacquot is an automotive journalist at zzdcar., rating written byJosh JacquotDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　The Alpina XB7 adds both style and substance to BMW's biggest SUV. It supplements the three-row SUV's power and adds proprietary suspension parts and tuning, unique wheels and tires, interior tweaks and exterior styling revisions. Some of these are aimed at performance but mostly they're aimed at style and sophistication. Still, the XB7 has 630 horsepower on tap (up 18 hp from last year) and uses mild hybrid assistance in the form of an electric motor housed in its eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. BMW claims the XB7 will hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 180 mph when equipped with the right wheels and tires.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW ALPINA XB7 4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl 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

　　$265/mo  for ALPINA XB7 Base

　　ALPINA XB7 Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.4L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $145,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The XB7's chassis uses air springs at all four corners that are capable of raising and lowering it over a range of 3.2 inches. There are active anti-roll bars to control body roll, rear-wheel steering and a limited-slip rear differential.

　　The XB7 plays in the realm of some of the world's priciest SUVs, including the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, the Land Rover Range Rover and the Cadillac Escalade V. It starts with a solid foundation in the BMW X7, but whether it's better than these rivals depends on where your priorities lie. Read our Expert Rating below for all the details.

　　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

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the ALPINA XB7 drive? With 630 horsepower on tap, the XB7's turbocharged V8 makes nearly as much power as the bonkers BMW XM, which means it's also just as quick. How does 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds sound? Yeah, we were pretty surprised ourselves while testing the XB7. And combined with the XB7's excellent braking power, which is on par with many sports cars, this is one seriously capable family hauler, at least in terms of straight-line performance.

　　For its size, the XB7 is reasonably nimble on a twisty road. The quick, light steering makes turning or parking relatively easy. While it can handle a corner or two, it's not its natural habitat and it ultimately feels much more at home devouring miles on an open highway. The transmission shifts smoothly and responds quickly when you need a burst of speed.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the ALPINA XB7? The XB7's main selling point is grand-touring comfort to go along with all of its speed. While it manages to balance those two inherently contradictory factors well, ultimately it can't match some of its rivals that put comfort above all else. The seats in all three rows are reasonably comfortable, but the XB7's enormous 23-inch wheels pose a bit of a challenge when it comes to managing ride quality — usually the bigger the wheels and tires, the worse the ride. The XB7 is by no means a harsh-riding SUV, but it also isn't as quiet and isolating as some of its ultra-luxury rivals.

　　The climate controls are all touchscreen-based. The five-zone climate control gives nearly every passenger control of his or her own microclimate, while standard heated and ventilated seats work well to cool and warm everyone on board from the other side. Capping this off is great vent coverage throughout the cabin.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below