Used 2021 BMW X7

The 2021 BMW X7 is a luxury 3-row midsize SUV/crossover. As the number implies, it’s bigger than the X5. It’s actually the largest vehicle BMW makes. There’s plenty of room for adults in every row, along with a commodious cargo area and an extensive menu of upscale features.

Being a BMW, however, it still rides and handles in an engaging way. Not with the same precision as, say, an M3, but the X7’s road-going talents are nevertheless remarkable for its size.

The X7 was an all-new model for the 2019 model year, so its style and technology remain fresh. The 2021 model year sees the introduction of the Alpina XB7, a specially tuned version also built in Spartanburg, SC, with the regular X7 and available from BMW dealers with a full factory warranty.

Rivals in this rarefied class include the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7, Lincoln Aviator, and Lexus GX. The GLS-Class is slightly larger; the Aviator and GX are considerably less expensive.

At high speeds, the X7 feels wonderfully stable and planted, and amazingly quiet, creating the deceptive notion that the X7 is moving slower than it really is. The ride is enhanced by an air suspension that nullifies most jolts, yet without the slightly unnerving floating feeling over rough surfaces.

The 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 is a smooth engine with linear power delivery and negligible turbo lag. Not quite as eager, obviously, as the raging 523-horsepower V8 in the M50i, but the xDrive40i is almost $25,000 less than its V8-powered stablemate, and that can buy a lot of options.

The xDrive40i is estimated to average around 21 mpg. The V8-powered M50i achieves 17 mpg. The inline-6 is also the quieter engine, which will appeal to many drivers who think a luxury SUV should be silent as well as swift.

Sport mode firms up the suspension and lowers ride height by almost an inch, which drops the center of gravity a little for optimum cornering ability. The automatic transmission’s shift points also occur higher up the engine’s rev range, and the action becomes even quicker. Sport mode also energizes throttle response.

Just for the fun of it, the Alpina XB7’s twin-turbocharged V8 makes a mighty 612 hp and propels this almost 6,000-pound beast from standstill to 60 mph in a phenomenal four seconds flat, on the way to a top speed of 180 mph.

The 2021 X7 can be ordered as a 7-seater with a center bench or a 6-seater with captain’s chairs in the second row. Either way, this large and lavish BMW SUV has an arguably handsome cabin, with lots of fine leather and attractive wood trim.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is modern and highly configurable, and the seventh generation of BMW’s multifunction iDrive controller takes its usual spot on the center console, backed up by a few (much appreciated) physical buttons.

Overall space is excellent. There’s enough headroom and legroom for 6-footers to sit comfortably in either of the two back rows. The 2nd-row seats also tip forward to aid entry and exit.

There are, however, some changes for 2021. Certain options are no longer available, such as black Vernasca leather with contrast stitching, or brown-metallic ash wood trim. And buyers can’t specify an Alcantara (simulated suede) headliner in the same color as their upholstery. On the plus side, the xDrive40i gains heated armrests/steering wheel/front seats as standard.

The largest double-kidney grille to ever grace a BMW leaves even a casual observer in no doubt of the X7’s manufacturer. There’s also the familiar silhouette – like an X5, only stretched.

Relatively slim headlights emphasize the X7’s width. The “hockey stick” features along the bottom of the flanks are reminiscent of the 7 Series flagship sedan. The rear-end’s design of a chrome bar between compact LED taillights does the same thing.

Vermont Bronze Metallic is no longer among the paint choices.

SLIDING 2ND-ROW SEATS
This motorized feature is standard with either the 2nd-row bench seat or the captain’s chairs, helping accommodate passengers of all sizes. And elongated rear doors provide easy access.

ONE-TOUCH FOLDING SEATS
A set of switches located handily in the luggage area allow the middle and 3rd-row seats to be folded for maximum cargo space. With both rows folded, that adds up to 90.4 cu ft. Push another button and the X7 lowers to make loading large and/or heavy items a bit easier.

Changes in standard equipment for the 2021 X7 see the addition of Android Auto smartphone integration, a 12-month all-access subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio with 360L, remote start, and heating elements wherever hands, elbows, and posteriors come to rest (up front, at least).

Other equipment in the X7 xDrive40i includes 21-inch alloys wheels, air suspension, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, panoramic moonroof, simulated leather upholstery, tinted rear privacy glass, power-adjustable steering column, power-adjustable seats in all three rows, quad-zone automatic climate control, 12.3-inch digital driver information display, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Wi-Fi, wireless smartphone charging, and a 205-watt/10-speaker audio system.

Among the standard driver-assistance features are forward-collision warning with pedestrian protection and automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, front/rear parking sensors, and speed limit information.

The Executive package for the xDrive40i (reduced this year from $4,100 to $3,850) brings several desirable extras such as a head-up display, gesture control for the infotainment system, soft-closing doors, glass controls, and a 464-watt/16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system.

The Driving Assistance Professional package adds an extended traffic-jam assistant, evasive-steering assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The Parking Assistance package steers the X7 into parallel and perpendicular spaces, adds a 360-degree camera system, and includes a drive recorder.

The X7 M50i has many of these extras as standard. It also comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, plus M Sport differential/brakes/exhaust system.

Other options include 5-zone automatic climate control, massaging/multi-contour front seats, 2nd-row captain’s chairs, aluminum running boards, rear-wheel steering, and (in the M50i) a 1,500-watt/20-speaker surround-sound system from Bowers & Wilkins.

BMW has stopped offering a rear-seat entertainment system for the 2021 X7, as well as the Night Vision feature.

The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 in the X7 xDrive40i now has a mild-hybrid system. It’s a 48-volt setup that provides the energy for the engine’s stop/start system and ancillaries like the water pump. Drive belts are no longer required, so parasitic losses are reduced. It doesn’t have much impact on fuel economy or engine output. This unit makes 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.

The twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 in the X7 M50i develops 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The new-for-2021 Alpina XB7 takes that engine and boosts it to 612 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is deployed in every 2021 X7. All-wheel drive is standard across the range, and maximum towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (xDrive40i)
335 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (M50i)
523 hp @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
553 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (XB7)
612 hp @ 5,500-6,600 rpm
590 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg