2020 BMW X7

Every carmaker in the US is trying to build big, sophisticated, high-on-tech and go-anywhere kinda vehicles. This change in manufacturing trend has happened due to a significant rise in demand for SUVs. The 2020 BMW X7 with its new huge kidney grille, edgy bumper, and an aggressive front fascia deserves every bit of attention it demands. After all, it's German. The sweet lines on the sides and those long wheel arches surely make this humongous luxury-SUV, one helluva tempting ride in this huge, diverse pool.

Built-in the Spartanburg Plant of BMW in North Carolina, the X7 comes in 2 Trims-xDrive40i and xDrive50i, the 2020 BMW X7 comes with a sticker price of $73,900 and $92,600 respectively. It also has an M variant, the X7 M50i starts at $99,600. Taking design inspirations and an engine from the X5 and the X6, respectively, the 2020 X7 manages to stand out from the rest of its family with an authoritative fascia and significantly visible updated grill. 

The bigger updated geometry of the BMW competes with the equally big Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, the brawny Cadillac Escalade and the quintessential luxury off-roader- Range Rover Sport SE.

The 2020 BMW x7 comes in two trims the xDrive 40i and the xDrive 50i. Both trims are differentiated by two engines. While the 40i comes with a 3.0L-twin-turbo inline-6, the 50i comes with 4.4L-twin-turbo-V8. Both produce 335  hp and 456 hp respectively. Apart from the engine difference, both are segregated by the feature list. The 50i gets more creature comforts than the 40i.

Trims	X7 xDrive40i	X7 xDrive50i
MSRP	$73,900	$92,600
Key Features	Adaptive LED Headlights, LED Fog lamps with Automatic High Beam	Adds/Upgrades from xDrive40i
	Twin Turbo 3.0L Inline-6 Motor with 335hp and 330lbs.-ft. Of Torque	Twin Turbo 4.4L V8 with 456hp and 479lbs.-ft. Of Torque
	Power Folding Heated Side Mirrors	16 Speaker Harmon Kardon Audio
	Sensatec Leather Upholstery	Vernasca Leather Upholstery
	16 Way Power Front Seats with 4 Way lumbar support and Memory Setting	20 Way Power Front Seats with 2 way manual adjust for headrest
	Power Tilt/Telescopic Leather Wrapped Multi-Function Steering wheel with memory Setting
	Fully Automatic Panoramic Sunroof

Which one would we Recommend

Provided that the X7 comes with a V8 without the M-badge, does get us exciting but then again when it comes down to practicality, the 40i makes more sense. Sure, you get a performance engine but what is the point of having one, if you don't get to use all that power. So, the xDrive40i with its small in-line 6 cylinder engine would suffice all your daily needs but if you want a car with larger than life status, you consider the xDrive50i, it will not disappoint.

 

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Much to our surprise, the X7 doesn't drive like just a larger X5. In fact, it feels miles apart from its mid-size little brother-Carbuzz.com

Engine and Transmission

With 2 Engines on offer, BMW has ensured that consumers get the choice of power output they would want from there X7. The base xDrive40i trim of the 2020 BMW X7 comes powered by the same 3.0L Twin Turbo motor that is found in the X6. BMW hasn't fiddled with the power and torque figures of the motor but has slightly tuned to give the X7 its own character. The smooth and linear power distribution of the engine makes it  perfect for daily driving purposes.

The interesting and the more powerful motor is the Twin Turbo 4.4L V8 that produces 456hp and 479lbs.-ft. of torque and it comes in the xDrive50i trim. The engine is more eager to rev and pulls out of traffic with ease. The agile nature of the V8 makes the X7 far easier to manage. All that energy gets distributed via the 8-speed automatic transmission system, where upshifts are effortless, without any jitter or jerks.

Models	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
MSRP	$73,900	$75,195	$68,650	$75,200
Engine	3.0L Twin Turbo Inline-6	6.2L V8	3.0L Supercharged V6	3.0L Twin Turbo V6
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic	10 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	9 Speed Automatic
Horsepower(hp)	335	420	340	362
Torque(lbs.-ft.)	330	460	332	369

Though, the BMW might seem lagging behind its competitors when it comes to power output. That is because we have taken the base variant. The xDrive50i generates more than 500 hp and that is more than anyone in the above rival list. Speaking of rivals, the 2020 Cadillac Escalade has more power output at the price it's being sold for. The GLS 450 manages to come second in this respect and the Range Rover Sport SE takes the 2^nd last spot.

Acceleration

Despite being a big SUV and having less power, the 2020 BMW X7 is agile and quick enough, when it comes down to performance. The 2020 X7 takes just 5.8 seconds to get to 60 and manages to do the quarter-mile run in just 14.1 seconds. In terms of tailpipe emissions, the xDrive40i emits just 8.1 units and the xDrive50i emits 10.1 units of Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year.

Models	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
0-60 MPH(Secs.)	4.8	6.1	4.3	5.9
Quarter mile(Secs.)	14.1	14.6	N/A	16.5
Engine	3.0L Twin Turbo Inline-6	6.2L V8	3.0L Supercharged V6	3.0L Twin Turbo V6
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.1	10.3	9.2	9.3

The Cadillac Escalade, courtesy of its powerful V8 manages to stay the closest to the X7. The Range Rover on the other hand surprises with acceleration figures as it is identical to the Cadillac's. The Merc is the slowest of the bunch courtesy of its averagely powerful motor and bulk.

Ride and Handling

One of the most sought after factors while buying a BMW is its ride and handling. The 2020 X7 does manage to change our perspective that 3 Row SUV's are boring and cumbersome to drive. Adaptive Dampers and 2 Axle Air Suspension comes as standard fitting. This ensures that body roll is at bay despite the size of the X7. Superb body control in corners gives you confidence to go harder around them. The cabin is well insulated for most of the part but over harsher surfaces, the X7 seems to can't help but let it known, that it would like to go back to the tarmac.

With multiple driving modes on offer ranging from the timid eco mode to the maniacal sport mode, the X7 can bring about changes in the ride height, transmission, and the engine responsiveness. The sport mode makes the X7, more biased towards the rear wheel, hence making the X7 feel like a standard 3 series to drive.

Braking

The 2020 BMW X7, manages to change our perception of 3-rows SUV's in terms of braking as well. The Bimmer can halt from 60MPH in an astonishing 105ft. And hence putting many sports sedans and hatchbacks to shame. Braking on the whole is sure-footed and there is no lack of confidence at any moment of braking.

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
Brake Front (in.)	N/A	17	14.2	13.8
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	17	13.7	13.6
60-0 MPH (ft.)	105	133	124	120

In terms of the competition, it's the Merc that comes second in the test. The 3^rd and 4^th spots are taken by the Land Rover and the Cadillac respectively.

Towing Capacity

For an SUV to be deemed as a proper SUV, towing capacity is one of the important proving grounds for it. The 2020 BMW X7 with its 5400lbs towing capacity is a pretty capable vehicle. Provided that this is a vehicle that produces the least amount of power, the towing capacity is not that disappointing. 

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
Towing Capacity(lbs.)	5,400	8,100 to 8,300	7,716	7,700

Though its rivals can tow more than the Bimmer, like the Cadillac Escalade, it cashes in on its big engine and gains the top spot in terms of this segment. The Land Rover and the Mercedes are tied at dead heat for the 2^nd spot and the Bimmer loses out to them by the smallest of margins.

 

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BMW has managed to beat its rivals by offering the best MPG figures in its class. The X7 manages to pull out an impressive 22 MPG of overall Mileage figure while attaining the best figure of 25 MPG on the highways. The near 22 MPG allows the X7 to traverse over 430 miles on the city and 544 miles on the highway.

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
MPG (city)	20	14	17	19
MPG (highway)	25	23	22	23
MPG (combined)	22	17	19	19
Fuel tank Capacity(Gal.)	21.9	26	27.6	26.4
Range(City/Hwy) in Miles	438/548	364/598	469/635	422/581

Rivals have a long way to catch up in terms of the fuel economy figures when compared to the all-new X7. The Land Rover and the Merc offer identical MPG figures on all terms. The Escalade, on the other hand, suffers because of its thirsty motor and falls short of the other by a big margin. The Range Rover gets an advantage in terms of its massive 28-gallon fuel tank, enabling it to go the furthest in terms of range.

Were not sold yet on the front end, but the cabin's done its high-end homework-TheCarConnection.com

Seating and Comfort

BMW has ensured that the X7 feels like a proper SUV and doesn't miss out on a single front as far as comfort and luxuries are concerned. The seats are plush and have been contoured with high-quality Vernasca Leather. The Interiors feel solidly put together and all buttons feel perfectly positioned. The Heated Seats and the power adjustable steering, adds to the sense of comfort in the X7.

The 2^nd Row Captain Seats allow for easy access for passengers on the 3^rd row which also offer a decent sense of space like the front and the 2^nd row. Materials used are of the highest order and the Interiors feel like they suit an SUV of this class.

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
Passenger capacity	7	7	5	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	41.9/60.0/39.8	42.8/64.9/45.3	39/61/42	41.2/58.5/40.3
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/58.1/37.6	38.7/64.4/39.0	39/59/37	40.0/58.3/38.5
Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.6/47.9/33.3	38.1/62.6/24.8	N/A	38.9/50.5/35

While most of the SUV's in our comparison offers 3 rows of seating, its the Range Rover that misses out on one. The Cadillac Escalade leads the pack in terms of the space on offer for the passengers while the Bimmer stacks in between the Caddy and the Land Rover. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 is on the same lines as the Bimmer in terms of the space on offer.

Infotainment System

The 2020 X7 is equipped with 2 12.3 Displays that includes the iDrive 7.0 (Operated by Voice, touchscreen, iDrive Touchpad Controller), Heads-Up display and Navigation with 4 times OTA updates annually. Let's see what all more infotainment features it has, to offer us:

• Wi-Fi hotspot with Wireless Charging
• 16 Speaker 464W Harmon Kardon Music System wit Apple Car Play
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD Radio with Multicast
• Anti-Theft AM/FM Stereo with Radio Data System
• Bluetooth, 2 USB Ports and 20GB Multimedia Storage

Cargo volume

Being a 3 Row SUV has its own Pros and Cons and the Cargo space behind the 3^rd Row is one con. The 2020 BMW X7 doesn't offer much space behind the 3^rd row but behind the 2^nd row, the space on offer is 48.6 cu. ft. courtesy of the flat-folding third row.

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac Escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	11.5	15.2	27.5	16.0

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport takes the top honors in terms of offering the best Cargo Space. The Merc and the Cadillac are on the same page in terms of Cargo and the BMW has to suffice with the last spot.

Interior Features

The 2020 BMW X7 comes with the following interior features:

• 20 Way powered front seats with memory with 3 stage heating
• Vernasca Leather Upholstery
• Engine Start/Stop Button
• Vehicle and Key Memory
• Fully Automatic Powered Moonroof
• One Touch Up/Down Power Windows with Key-off operation, Anti Trap feature
• Automatic 4 Zone Climate Control
• Power Adjustable Steering
• Automatic tilt-down of right outside mirror for visibility of curb when backing up
• Automatic-dimming interior rear-view mirror and driver's-side exterior mirror
• BMW Extended Ambient Lighting

Not much about the X7's shape defies the SUV normand for its maiden three-row vehicle, that suits BMW just fine- TheCarConnection.com

Design and Dimensions

The 2020 BMW X7 looks like a BMW SUV from all angles albeit in a bigger avatar. The massive "Kidney Grill" will greet most people on the front and will have mixed reactions from people who see the X7 for the 1^st time. The proportions are well balanced on the whole and the X7 doesn't intimidate from the sides. There is a whole array of creases and body lines flowing all throughout the Bimmer's body and gives the X7, a rather edgy look.

Model	BMW X7 xDrive40i	Cadillac escalade	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE 4WD	Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC AWD
Curb weight (lbs.)	5370	5572	5135	5335
Length(in)	203.3	203.9	192.1	202.0
Width(in)	78.7	80.5	81.6	76.1
Height(in)	71.1	74.4	71.0	72.8
Ground clearance (in)	8.7	8.0	8.3	8.5
Wheelbase (in)	122.2	116.0	115.1	121.1

In terms of the dimensions, the X7 strikes a perfect balance with all the other SUVs in the segment. The Caddy comes out to be the heaviest and the tallest of the lot while the Range Rover is the widest of them all. The Bimmer has an advantage in terms of the ground clearance as well as it offers the highest of the lot.

Exterior Features

The 2020 BMW x7 comes with the following set of Exterior Features:

• 21 Alloy wheels with Run Flat All Season Tires
• Adaptive LED Headlights with LED Fog lamps and Auto High beam
• Satin Aluminum Roof Rails
• Roof Spoiler with Center Brake Light
• Power Folding Heated Side Mirrors
• High Gloss Black Aero Blades
• Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
• Programmable LED DRL's and Adaptive Brakelights

The 2020 BMW X7 comes equipped with a lot of safety features for the passengers. You get the basic safety features like 3-point safety belts with head restraints for all seats, pre-tensioners, automatic locking retractors for passengers and a lot more. The IIHS and the NHTSA are yet to test the X7 but with the following list of other safety features, passengers will feel confident every time they go in their X7.

• Anti-lock Braking System
• Front SRS Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags for Front and Rear
• BMW Assist eCall
• Anti-Theft Alarm
• Active Driving Assistant Professional
• Central locking System
• LATCH Attachments for Children
• Active Rollover Sensor
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

2020 BMW X7 vs Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade presents itself as the vehicle that the average size American can perfectly fit it. It is big on the outside, inside, offers plenty of punch and comes loaded with technology. However, the Cadillac is nowhere as fun to drive as the Bimmer and feels a notch lower in terms of the build both on the outside and the inside. Also, with a price difference of $2,000 and a lower running cost, we do feel that the Bimmer is the one to choose among the two.

2020 BMW X7 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

The Mercedes Benz GLS has been one of the most popular choices for Americans until the X7 arrived. The GLS offers plenty of space on the inside, has a good infotainment system and is extremely comfortable for doing long distance touring. The Bimmer on the other hand feels miles ahead of the Bimmer in terms of the handling dynamics, performance and running costs. If luxury and comfort is your preference, the Merc will do the job best for you. For everything else, the BMW is simply unbeatable.

2020 BMW X7 vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport may not be as powerful as its other adversaries but in terms of going the road not taken, it's the Land Rover that has the clear advantage. Both the Bimmer and the Land Rover are at par when it comes to luxury on offer but the later seems to have an edge. If you wish to take your SUV for off-roading, the Land Rover is the SUV for you but for other purposes, the BMW X7 seems to have an upper hand.

The new 3 Row SUV from BMW aims to impress the American who does not want to compromise on space. It feels agile to drive and  changing the perception of a quintessential 3 Row SUV in terms of the way it performs and rides. None can match the dynamism of the X7 and the poise with which the X7 takes corners. Add to that, a superbly build interior and plenty of features and you have on your hands, the perfect SUV that can do long-distance touring while giving you the fun of driving a 5 series sedan.

FAQs

Let's go through some of the most frequently asked questions about the BMW X7. 

How much does the X7 cost?

The 2020 BMW X7 starts at around $73,000. Options are expensive and plenty.

Is the 2020 BMW X7 7 seater?

Yes, the BMW X7 is a seven-seater. The third row is more practical and usable than most of the other SUVs on sale.

Is the BMW X7 all-wheel drive?

Yes, the 2020 BMW X7 is all-wheel drive. It might not be able as capable as a Jeep in off-roading but it can handle light off-roading.