2025 BMW X7

The BMW X7 is currently the only BMW SUV to offer 3-row seating, and while the third row is a bit smaller than some, it’s still perfectly usable for kids and smaller adults. The other four or five seats, however, are luxurious, tech-rich, and comfortable for just about everyone.

Despite its extra size, the X7 holds true to BMW’s core values thanks to an excellent engine range, which, alongside the compliant yet controlled suspension, contributes to a rewarding driving experience whether you’re taking the kids to school or hauling the mail on the back roads.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of large luxury SUVs, including the X7.

Coming off of a midcycle refresh for the 2023 model year, the 2025 BMW X7 carries forward with no significant mechanical or visual updates, but it does get a notable safety tech upgrade with the availability of the Driving Assistance Professional package. This $2,500 option includes highway driving assist, active cruise control with stop-and-go, traffic jam assistant, active lane-keeping, and Active Driving Assistant Pro.

As a large luxury SUV, the BMW X7 competes with an array of vehicles, but its closest natural competitor is the Mercedes-Benz GLS, itself updated last year. The GLS also starts in the mid-$80,000s and rises with performance and features up through the $150,000 mark. The GLS even carries on past the Alpina XB7 to top out near $175,000 in Maybach GLS 600 form.

The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator start just above the X7’s price but offer considerably more truck-like attributes in terms of towing and hauling. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Lexus LX begin at around $90,000, and the 7-seat version of the Land Rover Range Rover starts at around $110,000. All in all, the X7 is priced reasonably relative to its segment.

Before buying a new BMW X7 full-size luxury SUV, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase price to see what you should be paying.

Our favorite thing about the BMW X7’s standard equipment set may be its air suspension. Quietly and subtly underpinning everything you do in the vehicle, this air-ride system is comfortable in daily driving and height-adjustable for easy entry and exit. But it’s also taut and sorted, without any sloppiness.

The excellent ride quality enhances the peace of the quiet cabin. One of the few things likely to intrude on your reverie — or your music — is the thrum of the engine when it’s working hard. With the X7’s athleticism, that’s not an uncommon occurrence. The base xDrive40i runs from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and the M60i stops the clock in 4.5 seconds. The range-topping Alpina XB7 does the run in a mere 3.9 seconds — a phenomenal time for a 7-seat, 3-ton vehicle.

For those unfamiliar with the Alpina moniker, it’s BMW’s formerly independent, now in-house tuning brand, much like Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division.

Fuel Economy

The BMW X7 xDrive40i has good fuel economy for its class, with 22 mpg combined (20 city/24 hwy). That’s about on par with the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4Matic’s 21 mpg combined and about 5 mpg better than the Cadillac Escalade (16 mpg combined), the Jeep Grand Wagoneer (17 mpg), and the Lincoln Navigator (18 mpg).

The X7 M60i gets 18 mpg in combined driving (16 city/20 hwy), and the Alpina XB7 is rated 17 mpg combined (16 city/20 hwy).

It’s perhaps to be expected of a large luxury SUV, but the BMW X7 offers a substantial list of choices of leather, wood trims, and color schemes. It’s also laden with tech that stands out even in today’s field.

We’re impressed by the quality of the X7’s cabin, from the materials to how they’re assembled. It’s an impressive SUV, even before you put seven people inside. Up front, the X7 has heated multi-contour seats as standard equipment.

Seating for seven is standard in the X7, although a pair of optional captain’s chairs in the second row can reduce the total seat count to six. However, the captain’s chairs improve access to the third row and are more comfortable than the standard bench seat.

The second-row legroom is 37.6 inches, almost the same as the X5, but about an inch less than the Audi Q7 or about four inches less than the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Third-row legroom is 33.3 inches, again about an inch smaller than the GLS’s third row.

Behind the rear seats, the X7 has 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space, about five cubic feet less than the GLS and about half of the 25.5 cubic feet of the Cadillac Escalade. Fold the second row to reach a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet of space, finally turning the tables on the Mercedes-Benz GLS’s 84.7 cubic feet. The Escalade and Navigator are even larger, with both offering more than 100 cubic feet of space — and up to 142.8 cubic feet at the Escalade’s most capacious.

Although there are larger SUVs, the X7 is a full-size SUV, about nine inches longer than the BMW X5 midsize luxury SUV and about three inches taller. The X7 is the same size as the GLS, both of which are a step down from the mammoth American luxury SUVs.

The X7 makes an unmistakable visual impact in terms of design and style. The bold design may not be for everyone, but it certainly won’t be called “bland” or “uninteresting.”

iDrive
Voice commands, hand gestures, the touchscreen — BMW’s iDrive infotainment system understands them all. It’s also packed with features and easy to use, no matter which way you control it. It also includes smartphone integration, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi.

Head-up display
The HUD is standard in the X7. It is typically a pricey option if it’s even offered. It projects important information and navigation directions onto the windshield to keep your eyes on the road.

Heated steering wheel and armrests
Alongside standard heated front seats, these add even more cold-weather comfort.

Premium Package
Music lovers will appreciate this $1,850 package, which rolls together a Harman Kardon surround sound system, gesture control, power rear window shades, and soft-closing doors. Audiophiles may want to spring for the 20-speaker, 1,500-watt Bowers & Wilkins system, provided they have the $3,400.

Executive Package
With all of the features of the Premium package plus a panoramic LED-lit glass roof, heated and cooled cupholders, and glass controls, this $3,950 package makes the most of the rear seat — and even adds a massage function to the front seats.

Driving Assistance Professional Package

Rolling together Highway Assistant, Active Driving Assistant Pro, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant, and Traffic Jam Assistant, this $2,500 package is a small premium to pay for a great deal more peace of mind.

The 2025 X7’s three powertrains are all excellent, going from sporty yet efficient through increasing levels of thrust. The base xDrive40i configuration has a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder, making 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque.

The X7 M60i replaces the 6-cylinder with a 4.4-liter V8, keeps the turbocharging, and cranks the output to 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. At the top of the heap is the Alpina XB7, which gets a 631-hp, 590-lb-ft version of the turbo V8.

All three powertrains have standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

BMW’s new vehicle and powertrain warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This is typical protection for luxury car makers. BMW also includes 3-year/36,000-mile maintenance coverage for its new vehicles.

Safety

The BMW X7 hasn’t been rated by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the X7 does come with an extensive array of standard safety features as well as optional advanced safety and driver assist features.