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2020 BMW X7
The 2020 X7 borrows many features from its smaller yet immensely popular sister, the BMW X5. The X7 is longer and wears a more confident stance. But the interior of the SUV is where all the magic happens, and the SUV shows its true luxury colors. We appreciate BMW’s effort on the interior because that is where all owners will spend time with the car.
The BMW X7 is a vehicle for those who value luxury, comfort, and power without compromising in any areas. It is designed for large families who enjoy cozy and quiet rides together.
Design Features
The X7 borrows heavily from the X5 but features a more aggressive stance, which imposes a more significant impact when it rolls down the road. We will not call the overall stance of the X7 extraordinary, but it is not dull. ,
The front grille’s shape matches those found on the 7-Series sedan range. It is tall and ribbed, causing the X7 to look more pronounced, and it appears to stand out between the sleek and squinty headlights.
The car looks equally flashy and upscale from the side and the rear. The narrow and stylishly cut tail lights help make space for all the emblems and badges the X7 wears. The chrome bar which connects the two taillights is a fantastic design cue. The exhaust pipes are housed into the bumper, making the SUV’s rear neat and tidy.
But to see the true colors of this vehicle, you will need to step inside. The first thing that catches our attention in the rather balanced interior is the 12.3-inch display, which is nicely housed in the dashboard’s center with a slight tilt towards the driver. We think that a smaller screen would not suit the spacious cabin of the X7.
All variants come with a standard black leather interior. However, BMW offered an option to change the interior tone at an extra charge. But we think that the black interior is quite nice and goes well with other flashy accessories of the X7.
Speaking of flashy, the gear shifter on the vehicle is unique. It flaunts a crystal top that appears to build on those found on some Volvos. It blends well with the gray wood trim and the leather-covered dashboard.
The digital gauges in the instrument cluster seem somewhat out of place, but we guess they are the demands of time and are necessary to give the X7 an edge in terms of technology.
Performance Features
The German automaker’s best engines find room under the X7’s hood. The standard engine, which is found on the xDrive40i variant, is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. It can produce 335 hp and 330 lb-ft torque. The engine is coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
It takes less than six seconds to reach 60 mph after taking off from a complete stop. Although 0-60 times do not really matter on family SUVs, the quick time means that the vehicle will give you no trouble climbing steep hills or passing on the highway.
If you are a power enthusiast, the X7 has more to offer under its hood. On the xDrive50i and the M50i variants, the SUV is equipped with a 4.4-liter V8, which is aspirated using twin turbochargers. This engine produces 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet torque. It can take the X7 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 130 mph.
The M50i, although it shares the same engine with the xDrive50i, gets some performance tuning for those who crave even more power. On the M50i, the engine produces 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet and rockets the SUV from zero to sixty in only 4.5 seconds. This variant gets larger brakes and a firmer suspension for improved handling and cornering abilities. The exhaust is also tuned to provide a sportier roar to match the V8.
All 2020 X7 variants come with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission that shifts very smoothly and delivers power to the wheels through an all-wheel-drive system. The AWD biases power to the rear wheels and only powers the front wheels when required.
The M50i is equipped with a sports differential and even rear-wheel steering. The three degrees of counter deflection on the rear wheels can make the X7 feel significantly smaller than it is.
The independent suspension on all four wheels is equipped with air springs, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride on the X7. The base variant rides on 21-inch wheels, and the trims with V8 are fitted with 22-inch wheels that offer better handling.
An optional road monitor is available on the X7, which uses cameras and sensors to monitor the condition of the road ahead, and adjusts the suspension to minimize impact from rough patches.
Comfort Features
The largest vehicle that BMW proudly sells is the X7. It is an SUV designed for luxury and comfort and carries up to seven in a world of premium comfort. It swaddles its occupants with leather, entertains them with premium quality sound, and has them contemplating its premium quality fixtures.
The front passenger and driver sit comfortably in 16-way power-adjustable seats with a standard heating option. The seats give a wonderful view of the surroundings and the road ahead. As you would expect from a vehicle of this caliber, they are comfortable, supportive, and well-bolstered. If you require more comfort, you can opt for the V8 variants, which offer 20-way adjustment, ventilation, and even a massage function. These seats are optional on the xDrive40i.
There are plenty of small-item storage containers for the front seat passengers. The center console box is heated. Do you want to grab a burger and keep it warm until you reach home? Put it in the console box. The deep door pockets can hold large bottles, and the wireless charging pad is well-suited for large devices.
The second row on the X7 is a bench seat as standard, but for those looking for luxury, optional captain chairs are also available at a price. Using power adjustments, these second-row seats can slide to and fro by 5.7 inches. Push them all the way back, and you can enjoy a somewhat limo-mode. To make entry and exit more comfortable to the second row, the driver can slide both front seats forward at the push of a button.
Tilt the second-row seats forward, and you have access to the third row. The X7 is one of the few SUVs that offer ample space for six-footers in their third row. Sitting in the back does not mean that the X7 will forget about you. The third row is equipped with its own set of cup holders, armrests, and charging ports.
Behind the third row, the cargo space is a little tight at 11.5 cubic feet, which is less than a compact sedan. Fold-down the third row, and the space increases to 48.6 cubes. Need to carry something larger? Folding down the second row will give you 90.4 cubic feet of space behind the first row.
The air suspension lets you lower the car by nearly two inches to make it easier to load the cargo. The tailgate is split and power-operated; its upper half can be opened to pick or place small bags, while the lower half can be opened when you want to have tailgate parties that come out of the blue.
The quality of the materials used in the cabin is top-notch. Everything from the leather hides for the seats, leather-upholstered dashboard, gray wood trims, ambient lighting, and the crystal shifter blend well with each other and give off luxury and comfort. It is evident that BMW has taken a few cues for the X7 from Volvo, but more importantly from its own super-luxury, the Rolls Royce Cullinan.
Safety Features
The best year BMW X7 has not been tested by either of the testing agencies. It must be the high price and the fewer vehicles stopping them from crash testing and destroying an SUV.
However, the X7 is equipped with top-rated safety features. These include:
- Frontal collision prevention with automatic emergency braking can detect an obstacle along the vehicle’s path, alert the driver, and trigger emergency braking to avoid the obstacle.
- Blind-spot monitors alert the driver of any vehicles in the blind spots of the X7 when changing lanes or turning.
- Adaptive headlights adjust to the road ahead. They can move up, down, left, and right to provide the best visibility to the driver and prevent glare for oncoming traffic.
- Active lane control monitors the marking on the road and ensures that the X7 remains between the lines. If the vehicle is veering off to either side, the system can correct the steering to ensure it stays in line.
- Nine airbags in the cabin ensure that the occupants remain safe during all kinds of collisions.
For those willing to spend a little more, the X7 can be equipped with the following features:
- A night vision camera helps the driver see above and beyond the headlight beam and detect and highlight pedestrians standing in the road’s vicinity.
- Automatic parking can park the BMW parallel to other cars without driver input.
- Heads up display can project the vehicle’s speed and other information onto the windscreen, helping the driver keep eyes on the road.
- Surround-View allows the driver to see everything that is around the vehicle.
- The Self-driving system can take care of all driving functions for speeds of up to 37 mph. It requires very little driver input and is excellent for traffic jams. But it would be best if you kept your hands on the wheel to let the X7 know that you have not fallen asleep.
Luxury Features
Few SUVs are as opulent as the 2020 X7, and it is no surprise that Rolls Royce Cullinan builds on the luxuries found on this SUV. Naturally, we expect even the most basic X7 to be well equipped with accessories and features.
The base variant xDrive40i of the X7 is equipped with the following features:
- Adjustable air suspension
- All-wheel drive
- 21-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic moonroof
- Quad-zone climate control
- LED headlights
- Three-row seating
- Power-operated tailgate
- Wireless charger
- 12.3-inch screen in the instrument cluster
- 12.3-inch infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple Carplay, and other connectivity features
The xDrive50i comes with the following features:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Heads up display
- 20-way power-operated seats
- Surround-view camera system
- Active lane control
- Stop-and-go traffic jam assist
The top-range M50i comes with the following features:
- Laser headlights
- Premium-quality audio
- Heads up display
- Soft-closing doors
- Sport differential, suspension, and brakes
- 22-inch wheels
- 20-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function
- Crystal glass controls
- Cooled and heated cup holders
- Rear-wheel steering
- Driver-assist features discussed above
- Powerful and sport-tuned V8 engine
Fuel Economy Features
All X7 variants require premium fuel. The xDrive40i is powered by a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine, and it gets EPA ratings of 20 mpg for city driving, 25 mpg for highways, and 22 mpg combined. The xDrive50i and the M50i are equipped with a 4.4-liter V8. They manage 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined.
Price Range of 2020 BMW X7
Since there is a wide array of options available for the X7, the prices of the vehicle vary greatly. The 2020 BMW X7 starts at around $74,000 for the xDrive40i and can easily go upwards of $100,000 for a well-equipped M50i. The prices vary greatly, as the options are quite pricey, and other factors like mileage, vehicle condition, and location also affect prices.
About The Author
Charles Redding
I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.
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