BMW X7 Review 2024

BMW X7 At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The BMW X7 combines the passenger and luggage space of the best family cars with the comfort and tech of the best luxury cars – all in a compelling SUV-shaped package.

+Vast amount of family-friendly space. Deeply luxurious. Class-leading tech.

-It’s a very big car. Styling not to everyone’s taste. High running costs.

New prices start from £76,510
Insurance Group 50
On average it achieves 0% of the official MPG figure

There are relatively few seven-seat luxury SUVs available in the UK. These cars prove you don’t have to sacrifice true comfort and cutting-edge technology if you need a car that can be crammed full with people and stuff. The BMW X7 is one of the best of the breed.

It isn’t the most stylish, though. The BMW X7’s enormous interpretation of BMW’s kidney-shaped front grille was always challenging, while the latest (facelifted) version has ultra-slim two-piece headlights that are perhaps even more divisive. The car’s back end looks more conventional in comparison. However, style is a very personal thing and the popularity of the BMW X7 would suggest that plenty of people like how it looks.

The X7 is BMW’s rival to the legion of luxury SUVs out there, taking on big names like the Audi Q7, the Mercedes GLS, the Volvo XC90 and, of course, the all-conquering Range Rover. Taking the fight to them, the minimalist interior is fantastic and made from very high-quality, tactile materials. The seats are fabulously comfortable, too. Everything feels built to last.

The on-board tech is deeply impressive. There’s a two-foot-long slab of display screen on top of the dashboard, one for the driver and one for the infotainment system. The latter is among the very best available in any car right now. There are several intuitive ways to control the system and it’s packed full of features that can make life on the road easier.

There’s a vast amount of room inside the BMW X7 making it a brilliant seven-seater. Seven tall adults can fit comfortably and the boot is massive. The sliding second-row seats and folding third-row chairs allow you to configure the amount of passenger space and boot volume to suit your needs. The BMW X7 can tow 3.5 tonnes, too.

There are three BMW X7 models to choose from: Excellence, M Sport and M60i. You can tell them apart by their differing packages of styling details, but they all come with the same standard features.

These include the aforementioned infotainment system with sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, four-zone climate control, leather upholstery, electrically-adjustable seats front and rear, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control and a glass sunroof – to name but a few things on a very long list.

There are several engines available as well. The petrol 40i and diesel 40d are powerful, smooth and quiet. They can potter around town happily, but accelerate really rapidly when you need to get a move on. If you want to go really fast, check out the high performance M60i, which can sprint from 0-62mph in less than five seconds. The diesel is the best all-rounder, thanks to its blend of performance and 30mpg-plus efficiency.

From behind the wheel, the BMW X7 feels remarkably nimble and engaging for such a large car, which makes it easy to travel cross-country at high speeds. The car’s size can be an issue in town, but there are all sorts of sensors, cameras and even automatic parking systems. It’s completely effortless to drive on motorways – there are many driver assistance systems to help out there – and the ride is never less than deeply comfortable.

At the time of writing, prices for the BMW X7 start at around £86,000 and top out at £110,000 – about what you’d pay for its main rivals. Running costs can be quite high, but not exceptionally so by large luxury SUV standards.

The BMW X7 is a top-notch family-friendly people carrier and a very talented luxury car. If that’s what you’re looking for, it should be near the top of your shopping list.

Ask Honest John

What's the best large SUV for carrying my grandchildren around?

"I'm considering a large SUV which I'll buy new. Budget is not an issue. What do you suggest? As many Isofix seats as possible for my grandchildren is a priority."
If practicality is important and budget isn't an issue, we'd recommend a BMW X7. It's a very good, premium SUV with seven seats and Isofix points in the outer middle seats and both rear seats. Also consider the Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Land Rover Discovery - all are very practical, premium SUVs.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Which SUV is best for comfort?

"I am thinking of buying a new SUV. Can you tell me which model is the best for comfort?"
The most comfortable would probably be something like a Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMW X7 - but they're very expensive. When it comes to affordable models, the Citroen C5 Aircross is the best for comfort.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Which is the best seven seat SUV?

"Which is the best seven seat SUV?"
The Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008 are both excellent seven-seat SUVs, although adults won't be comfortable in the third row in either. Alternatively, you could look at more expensive SUVs like the Volvo XC90 and BMW X7.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a BMW X7 cost?