BMW’s biggest SUV takes the fight to the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
For years, Audi and Mercedes had their own way, thanks to the Q7 and GLS-Class. Now, BMW fights back with this: the all-new 2019 BMW X7. It’s the marque’s largest SUV to date, with three rows and optional V8 power. In this video, Roman tests the 2019 BMW X7 in the deserts of the American Southwest. From there, he goes over the top 10 reasons this is the most American BMW to emerge from the Bavarian brand.
10) Style
The first part of the 2019 BMW X7 that strikes the eye is its sheer size. As BMW’s largest SUV yet, there’s a certain American quality about everything just being bigger. Stare down that massive kidney grille, and you won’t mistake the X7 for anything other than a big, bad BMW. 21-inch wheels come standard on the X7 xDrive50i, but you can spec larger 22-inch alloys.
Around the back, everything is bigger as well, from the tailgate itself to the large exhaust pipes.
9) Powertrain
Under the hood is more than the standard 2019 BMW X7 xDrive40i’s 3.0-liter straight-six. In the X7 xDrive50i, you instead get a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The larger powerplant means 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, routed through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
If you do opt for the xDrive40i, the base 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine manages 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.
8) Price
Of course, being a big, bold, boxy SUV, it doesn’t come cheap. But then you probably shouldn’t expect that from an American-inspired larger-than-life luxury SUV. The 2019 BMW X7 xDrive40i starts off at $74,895. If you opt for the xDrive50i model, the price starts at an eye-watering $93,595. Both of those prices come devoid of all the extra options you can spec onto the 2019 BMW X7.
In fact, if you select all the available options, you can spec a new X7 out to nearly $120,000.
7) Have you seen how big it is?
The 2019 BMW X7 is a full 9 inches longer than an X5. What’s more, it’s 5.1 inches wider than the X5 and 2 inches taller. As a result, the new X7 seats seven passengers in greater comfort than the X5 using a 2-3-2 seating configuration. Alternatively, you can spec second-row captain’s chairs for an extra $600. That way, you can seat six on a 2-2-2 setup.
Of course, that third row is effectively useless if you can’t get in the back seat properly. While there’s adequate headroom, leg room is at a premium in the third row.
6) Standard features
From the standard xDrive all-wheel drive system to air suspension, the 2019 BMW X7 comes with an impressive array of standard features. You also get plush leather seats and a 12.3-inch infotainment display. Buyers have a choice of several interior upholstery options and up to six different trims, depending on which combination you choose.
5) Interior space
With all seats in place, the 2019 BMW X7 does not pack a great deal of cargo space. However, fold all the rows down, and BMW’s largest SUV will accommodate up to 90.4 cubic feet of gear.
4) Technology
As you’d expect from the brand, the 2019 BMW X7 comes with a plethora of modern technology. You can charge your smartphone wirelessly, as well as completely control the second row of seats from the driver’s compartment. The driver can use buttons on the door to move the second row around, both to accommodate those passengers and make it easier to access the third row.
There’s also a button on the steering wheel that allows the car to virtually drive itself in stop-and-go traffic. When you’re driving under 37 mph, it will take over most of the driving responsibilities. The driver can also lower the car 0.8 inches at the push of a button for easier access. Not only that, but you can also raise the car 1.6 inches as well.
On the down side, BMW’s new voice command system can be a bit finicky. While the gesture control is a nice feature to control the stereo, it too can be problematic at times.
3) Standard all-wheel drive
The 2019 BMW X7 uses a rear-biased all-wheel drive system as standard. Yep, there is no strictly rear-wheel drive option here. However, that bias means the X7 drives more like you’d expect from a rear-wheel drive car.
2) Big car, big competition?
So what does the 2019 BMW X7 compete against? Would you put it in the same class as the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator? It’s not quite there on size, although prices are pretty comparable. It does, however, compete more squarely against its German competition. Namely, the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
1) Sky Lounge Roof
It is a $750 option, but the 2019 BMW X7 has a huge panoramic sunroof. That suits the American SUV lifestyle pretty well. Not only that, but you can select from a range of star patterns at night – technology borrowed from the Rolls-Royce brand.
Check out the video above for even more on the 2019 BMW X7! Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news, views and real-world BMW X7 reviews.
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