2025 BMW X7

Pros

• There is good engine power in both types.
• A ride that is smooth and easy.
• Beautifully planned and stocked interior.
• Displays from today.

Cons

• It’s pricey for its type.
• Competitors have more room for people and goods.
• There are too many things that need to be on the tablet.

What gives the X7 its power? This is the X7 xDrive40i that we tried. It has an inline six-cylinder engine. The X7 speeds up easily when you step on the gas pedal at any speed. The X7 xDrive40i went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds on our test track. This is really great for a high-end three-row SUV with six cylinders. The last Cadillac Escalade we tried, which had a 420-horsepower V8, took 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph.

The X7 crossover moves and turns well for such a big SUV, especially compared to other American SUVs like the Escalade. Most of the time, it is smooth and easy to drive, and transmission changes happen quickly and softly.

How does it feel to be in the X7? The X7 has a lot of electrical tricks that make the ride smooth. Our test car had the Dynamic Handling package added to it. This package includes a camera that actively readjusts the suspension dampers to ensure the smoothest ride possible by looking for problems on the road. That’s the idea, anyway. It looks like it floats when the suspension is set to Comfort mode. When we drove the X7 in Comfort, the ride was pretty bouncy. But when we switched to Sport, the ride became more stable without sacrificing comfort.

Some of the most luxurious seats available on the market are produced by BMW. The upper backrest can be adjusted so that the driver is in the best position. There is no outside noise except for the pleasing growl of the inline six when speeding up quickly.

The temperature system is the only major shortcoming. You might only sometimes be happy with the limited air vents and automatic fan speed and temperature settings. We were surprised that this high-end SUV didn’t have ventilated second-row seats like the Kia Telluride does. However, the front seats need more air anyway, so we doubt they would be missed.

How is the state of the inside? It’s easy to get in and out of the house because it has big doors. There are great seats in the first row, and people six feet or more will have plenty of room in the second row. Even though the third row is a bit tighter, there is enough room, thanks to people moving into the second row. Because the roof slopes, taller people in the back seat have less headroom, but they probably won’t be riding with all of the NBA’s centers.

We’re not as interested in the X7’s features. Some of the screen’s settings are hard to use because they are hidden in menus and not easy to find. We like normal buttons that feel solid. The adaptive cruise control sets a following distance that can’t be changed, and there is no button on the steering wheel to do so. The driver can change the following distance to make adaptive cruise work better in different types of traffic. The on-screen remote is hard to use while driving, and it needs to be clarified how to change the adaptive cruise control with voice commands. It’s a big mistake that was made by accident.

What’s wrong with the tech? Overall, the X7 has a lot of cool tech features. Each row has a USB-C connector, and the front has an older USB-A connector. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be joined wirelessly. However, we sometimes need help connecting our smartphones wirelessly. The Bowers & Wilkins system that came with our test X7 is pretty pricey, but it will impress even the most dedicated listener.

BMW’s speech-activated virtual helper is different from other voice control systems because it works right away and can do many things, such as changing temperature control settings. A few of our drivers did have problems with the guidance system in their cars, though. They were unhappy that the system didn’t give them the starting point for their journey and that the map showed too many streets. It can be hard to tell if a place is ahead, behind, or two kilometers off of your planned route.

What’s going on with storage? When parking on a sloped road, the X7’s split tailgate keeps things from falling out the back. You can also press a button to lower the air suspension if you need to carry something heavy. It can hold about the same amount of stuff as the Mercedes GLS, which is about 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.6 cubes behind the second row, and 90.4 cubes behind the first row.

There is a large pocket on every door and a cupholder in every row. Front cupholders that can be heated and cooled are a great feature that you won’t find in most SUVs. There is enough room to load car seats, and LATCH anchors and tethers are close at hand.

How much fuel does it use? Based on estimates from the EPA, the X7 xDrive40i gets 22 mpg on the highway and in the city. That is the best luxury SUV with three rows of seats, if not the best.

Should you pay that much for the X7? Inside our test X7, there was a lot of wood and leather, and for extra style, there was a panoramic sunroof that lit up and glass controls. Our tester has Sparkling Copper Metallic paint, which might seem hard to understand at first. However, we really like it. At first glance, it looked like a light blue or gray, but when looked at more closely (and in the sun), it showed copper or gold undertones. That’s cool. The X7 costs about the same as other cars in its class. The X7 is a good deal for the money, even though it doesn’t do anything new.

The base X7 is still a great car to drive and a good deal. The strong inline-six engine in this powertrain makes it a good deal because you don’t have to choose between efficiency and performance. The X7 is better than its competitors, who are happy to slog along even though it’s not an M4 on stilts.

However, the X7 could be better. Some people really dislike both the grille and the new, squinty headlights (X7, did you get Botox on your cheeks again?). Overall, the X7 has a lot of small features that will make owners and their friends happy every day.

The X7 M60i’s very powerful V8 engine is definitely appealing, but the higher trim is not worth the extra money when the base xDrive40i has such a great mix of speed and fuel economy. Also, many of the extra features that come with the M60i can be added to the xDrive40i either separately or as part of a package.

Types of BMW X7

The 2025 BMW X7 comes in two trim levels, the xDrive40i and the M60i. It is a three-row SUV that can seat seven people. BMW also makes an Alpina XB7 version of the X7, which we review separately on Invoice and says has better speed and more style. The xDrive40i has a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine that can make 375 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The M60i has a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine that can make 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines send power to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.