BMW X7 performance-laden luxury SUV

Impressive offering from BMW

Roseville, CA- Everything about the 2020 BMW X7 screams luxury sport utility vehicle.

Of course, that includes the sticker price, which starts at approximately $75,000 and can climb to nearly the $121,000 mark like the top-heavy, loaded model test driven here for a week in early February.

After years of resisting, BMW joined many of its rivals by offering a large SUV in 2019. The German automaker equipped the X7 with ample performance, a handsome exterior, luxurious interior, and enough technology to send its owners diving into the manual for help.

What BMW also did was make the three-row, seven-passenger X7 more expensive than many of its competitors, a list that includes the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Volvo XC90. The X7 price tag didn’t scare people off that much. Sales of the inaugural X7 were 21,574, representing a solid first year. Sales last year for the other three were: Audi Q7 (34,649) Mercedes-Benz GLS (22,223) and Volvo XC90 (35,760).

2020 BMW X7

• Performance: turbocharged 3.0-liter, V6, 335 horsepower; turbo 4.4-liter, V8, 456 horsepower; 4.4-liter, V8, 523 horsepower
• Mileage estimate: 20-25 mpg; 15-21 mpg; 15-21 mph
• Price estimate: $74,900 to $100,700
• Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 4 years/50,000 miles; roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; corrosion: 12 years/ unlimited

Following a debut, very few manufacturers make significant changes in the next year’s offering. However, change occurred here, most notably with the 2020 BMW X7 offering a new engine choice. The X7 lineup now includes the M50i that adds even more performance to an already powerful SUV. The other trim models are the original xDrive40i and xDrive50i.

Performance

We drove the xDrive50i and were super impressed with its ample performance. The engine is a 4.4-liter, turbocharged V8 that generates 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. For such a huge vehicle (5,617 pounds), the speed of the X7 is startling, going 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.

But the new M50i is quicker, traveling 0-60 mph in a startling 4.5 seconds. The engine is a 4.4-liter, turbo V8 that produces 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The standard X7 (xDrive40i) is powered by a 3.0-liter, turbo V6 with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. It travels 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

All three models are equipped with eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Not surprisingly, the V6 gets the better gas mileage – 20-25 mpg as opposed to 15-21 mpg for the other two models. With the optional tow hook, the X7 can tow up to 7,500 pounds.

Stability and handling

The X7 stability and handling are composed for such a large SUV, and that includes conquering some challenging, twisty two-lane roads driving in the snow to Lake Tahoe that often prove too much for a bigger vehicle. The X7 has a two-axle air suspension that lowers to 0.8 inch in sport mode. BMW says it has tuned the spring, bushings and damper settings to produce a more responsive, sporty handling.

Creature comforts

All seven passengers experience a good deal of comfort in the X7, especially the front occupants who have multiple adjustment options to locate that just-right seating position. With all seats upright there’s 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space. That increases quite a bit (48.6 cubes) with the third row folded and to 90.4 cubic feet of space when the second row goes down.

Standard interior features include:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen, navigation system
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Huge panoramic sunroof
• Heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors

The sticker price may run a bit high, but there’s so much to like regarding the 2020 BMW X7. It delivers in all areas and the many options available can make it an ultra-luxury SUV.