© BMW North America
All New
Almost exactly one year ago, BMW gave pundits, journalists and the German public a first look at its plans for an upcoming large, luxurious SUV. The Concept X7 iPerformance debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show with fanfare and the promise that a production version would soon follow. Now BMW has fulfilled that promise with the introduction of the all-new 2019 BMW X7.
© BMW North America
Top of the Lineup
The X7 takes its rightful place as the next logical progression of the BMW Sports Activity Vehicle lineup, joining the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6. Not only is the X7 SAV the largest in the line of X crossovers, it will be a proper flagship with the latest luxury appointments and high-tech features.
© BMW North America
Large Grille
While clearly identifiable as a BMW, the X7 is a thoroughly modern take on BMW design with slim twin headlights flanking the largest kidney grille ever designed for a BMW. Together these give the X7 a wide, aggressive stance.
© BMW North America
Nicely Proportioned
Character lines on the sides of the new X7 run from the top of the front wheels, angling upward to dissect the rear taillights, giving the impression of air flowing along the sides. Rear doors are longer than the front, indicating the spacious rear-seat area. The 21-inch wheels are perfectly proportioned to the side profile.
© BMW North America
Rear Styling
At the rear are narrow LED taillights that connect via a chrome bar — in a style similar to the brand’s flagship sedan, the 7 Series.
© BMW North America
Living Large
The X7 is a large vehicle — 17 feet long and 6.5 feet wide — although this creates a truly roomy interior. With three rows the X7 provides seating for up to seven occupants. Buyers will also have the option of choosing second-row captain’s chairs, which offer a more luxurious seating arrangement for six.
© BMW North America
New Controls
With the X7, BMW introduces a new center console that brings together the gear selector, start-stop button, i-Drive controller as well as switches that affect driving functionality. There are also six USB ports available throughout the vehicle.
© BMW North America
Integrated Displays
The X7 comes standard with BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which utilizes two 12.3-inch display screens — one in front of the driver that acts as the instrument cluster, while the other sits in the center of the dashboard. Both displays can be customized to the driver’s liking.
© BMW North America
Second Row
The standard configuration in the X7 is a bench seat in the second row for three passengers; however, it’s likely the popular option will be the two individual captain’s chairs. The seats are power-adjustable similar to the front seats, and they can be easily moved forward to provide additional space for third-row passengers.
© BMW North America
Third Row
In almost all vehicles we encounter, third rows are typically reserved for children due to the acrobatics involved in getting there as well as the small space that greets occupants upon arrival. However, BMW claims the X7 can easily accommodate two adults comfortably in this rearmost seat. The higher seating position provides better legroom, and integrated cupholders and armrests as well as a glass panel above make this space more palatable than is typical for a 7-passenger SUV.
© BMW North America
Cargo Space
The X7 has a reasonable amount of cargo space, even with all seats in use; however, both rear-seat rows can be folded flat for an impressive 90.4 cubic feet of space. The rear liftgate is power-operated, and with the touch of a button in the cargo area the air suspension lowers the vehicle for easier loading.
© BMW North America
X7 xDrive 40i
The X7 xDrive 40i is powered by an updated 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, available at a low 1500 rpm. BMW states this big SUV can reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph.
© BMW North America
X7 xDrive 50i
For those looking for more oomph, the xDrive 50i gets a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8, which raises the output up to 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque at the same low 1500 rpm. With the larger engine, top speed remains the same but the sprint to 60 mph takes 5.2 seconds.
© BMW North America
Capable
Both engine options for the new X7 are teamed with an 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive. And to demonstrate that it’s a fully capable SUV, the X7 can tow up to 7,500 pounds with either engine, or carry as much as 1,200 pounds of cargo.
© BMW North America
Air Suspension
BMW’s two-axle air suspension comes standard on the X7 and adds a range of benefits. Each wheel features an electrically-driven compressor with a pressure reservoir that self-levels the vehicle even with an uneven load. At speeds above 85 mph the X7 automatically lowers for better handling, and a button in the cabin can raise the suspension by 1.6 inches for off-road driving.
© BMW North America
Active Comfort Drive
The air suspension uses camera sensors that preview the road ahead and can proactively smooth the ride when the surface gets uneven or tighten the suspension for an upcoming turn. Handling is further enhanced by BMW’s Integral Active Steering, which turns the rear wheels in the same direction for better stability in high-speed cornering, or in the opposite directly for improved low-speed maneuvers.
© BMW North America
Off-Road
Although we wouldn’t expect X7 owners to venture off-road, if they choose to do so this big BMW is ready and able with 8.7-inches of ground clearance as well as the latest-generation xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In the same way that the optional M Sport differential aids in on-road handling, it can act as a locking differential in off-road situations by directing power to the left or right rear wheels as needed.
© BMW North America
Well Equipped
The new X7 offers an extensive standard features list, but there are more extravagant optional extras that can further enhance the passenger experience. These include front and rear heated seats with 5-zone automatic climate control; soft-close automatic doors; heated and cooled cupholders; laserlight headlights; and a Panorama Sky Lounge LED Roof that uses LED light spreading evenly across the glass roof surfaces to illuminate more than 15,000 graphic patterns and generate a display reminiscent of a starlit sky.
© BMW North America
Availability and Pricing
Pricing for the X7 starts at $73,900 for the xDrive40i and $92,600 for the xDrive50i. Preorders for the X7 are being accepted online, but deliveries are not expected until March of 2019. The X7 will be built at BMW’s factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
2019 BMW X7
