bIt used to be that if you wanted to transport more than five adults in comfort, you needed a luxury minivan; now all you need is a big SUV… a really big SUV. And the BMW X7 is one of them. It makes no attempt to hide its bulk, and at over five metres long and two metres wide, it would be a futile effort anyway. It’s BMW’s flagship SUV, positioned as a lifted, 4×4 alternative to the 7 Series sedan, although you’ll mostly see that one on the road rather than on the side of a mountain.
The X7 looks big from the outside, but from behind the wheel, BMW’s engineering wizards have managed to shrink the car around you, at least in how it feels on the road. Ride and handling are excellent for a vehicle of this size and weight, helped by adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering (optional except on the M60i), which effectively shorten this car’s length by aiding low-speed maneuverability.
The interior of the X7 is airy and spacious
UWE FISCHER
Engine choices are diesel or petrol, and all come with a mild hybrid system, which at least makes a dent in fuel economy and emissions. The performance-oriented M60i model doesn’t need to be as quick and agile as it is, seemingly defying the laws of physics as you propel this massive SUV to 60mph in under 5 seconds flat. The M Sport model also gets a number of cosmetic touches to push the X7 in a sportier direction, including massive 23-inch wheels. There’s nothing small about this car. Hit Sport+ mode and everything is cranked up, including the exhaust note. However, this probably isn’t the look you’ll want to pull off on the school run or when ferrying the five-a-side team plus a substitute to the nearby playing fields.
Sensible driving is aided by the Driving Assistant Professional package, and the X7’s adaptive-distance cruise control is among the best and smoothest around. You can also set it to adopt the detected speed limit, adding to the sense of relaxation on a long journey. Even critics of nannying interventions may appreciate the traffic light recognition system, which gives a polite bong when the lights are green and you haven’t moved. Handy when you’re trying to find something in the glove compartment… and better than a chorus of aggressive horns from impatient cars behind you.
The X7 comfortably seats seven adults
YOURS FISCHER
The X7’s interior is airy and spacious, which isn’t surprising given its size. It seats seven adults comfortably, but the seating arrangement can be specified with just six seats, meaning the second row gets two armchairs instead of a sofa, with a central opening through to the rear seats. Fold all the rear seats down — electronically, of course — and you have a huge luxury van. The power split tailgate works well, as the smaller lower door stays closed until pushed, acting as a lip to keep cargo from falling out.
An Ambient Air package is offered on premium BMWs and is available in the X7. It is an ionization and fragrance system for the car’s interior. The intensity can be adjusted via the iDrive controller. You can have two different scent cartridges in the glove compartment, which last for around six months. Other goodies include a heated and cooled cup holder, front seats with excellent massage functions and eight programs that target different areas of the body. As an option, you can also opt for a panoramic glass sliding roof in the Sky Lounge, with integrated LED light graphics that are linked to the ambient lighting system. If you want to indulge in the Ultimate Pack, you also get the impressive Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system with 20 speakers and over 1,500 watts of 3D surround sound.
The X7 has been given a facelift with an even larger grille
YOURS FISCHER
It’s all very big and very nice. If there’s a big animal in the room of the car the size of an elephant, that’s the look. The X7 has received some criticism, with some unkindly comparing the front end to an angry beaver. BMW listened to the comments that the grille was a bit big, and the new facelifted version now has… an even bigger grille. And just in case you didn’t want to look at it, they gave it the Iconic Glow light treatment. You can never say that BMW shies away from a design statement. However, this car will not be bought solely on appearance. It seems strange to say of a lavish SUV costing over £100,000 that this car will be bought primarily for practicality, when a smaller car simply won’t cut it.
BMW.nl