Covering all the small, medium and large wagon bases is pretty much a requirement these days. For some automakers it鈥檚 also an obsession. That鈥檚 certainly true of BMW, which recently added the X7.
The range-topping model oversees a total of seven such 鈥淴鈥� Bimmers, with all but two being legitimate wagons (the X4 and X6 are basically hatchbacks). The X7鈥檚 uniqueness is in its fulsome size plus a capacity to comfortably accommodate up to seven passengers. Unlike the trimmer X5鈥檚 available third (kid) row, the rearmost seat is standard in the X7 while the second-row bench can be substituted for a pair of optional high-back bucket seats.
Both the X5 and X7 use BMW鈥檚 latest rear-wheel-drive platform, however the X7鈥檚 is longer by 23 centimetres and has 13 more centimetres between the front and rear wheels. The increased dimensions give two adults in the rearmost seat reasonable leg space, aided by a second-row bench or chairs that can be power-adjusted fore and aft by about 15 centimetres.
The X7鈥檚 styling 鈥� especially a roofline that鈥檚 five centimetres taller than the X5鈥檚 鈥� presents a formal, executive-like presence. The dominating kidney-shaped grille announces to the world which brand of vehicle you鈥檙e piloting, and the chrome trim throughout reinforces the fact that abundant luxury is a major X7 talking point.
In back, the lower section of the two-piece liftgate/ folds out for easier cargo loading and unloading. Although there鈥檚 a dearth of space in back when all three rows are deployed, dropping both the second- and third-row seatbacks creates a perfectly flat load floor for transporting all manner of large and/or bulky items.
As you would expect with any size-large BMW, the X7鈥檚 passenger compartment speaks fluent opulence. There鈥檚 an abundance of wood and polished metal trim, along with leather coverings for the seats, door panels and floor console. A standard panoramic sunroof helps keep the interior cheery and bright during the day, while at night the ambient lighting provides 12 different subtle hues from which to choose.
The dashboard has a digital display while the nearby 12.3-inch touchscreen operates the audio, communications and navigation systems.
For its inaugural year, the X7 comes in two performance flavours that are identical to what鈥檚 available in the smaller X5. The xDrive40i is equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The xDrive50i gets you a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V-8 that punches out 456 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. The six-cylinder is rated at 12.0 l/100 km in the city, 9.4 on the highway, and 10.8 combined.
The one-and-only transmission is an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
By BMW鈥檚 stopwatch, the 2,450-kilogram xDrive40i can reach 100 km/h from rest in 6.1 seconds, while the xDrive50i takes 5.4. Those numbers are attained using the standard launch control that, when engaged, causes the car to accelerate in the quickest possible manner with zero spinning of the tires.
The X7 comes with all-wheel-drive and an air suspension that increases or decreases the ride height by up to four centimetres. Additionally, BMW鈥檚 Driving Dynamics Control has Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes. They alter the transmission and throttle operations to suit the dial selection.
When equipped with the proper trailer hitch, both X7s can tow up to 3,410 kilograms.
Pricing starts at $94,650 (including destination charges) for the xDrive40i, while the xDrive50i rings in at $112,150. Both versions arrive with enough premium content and active-safety features 鈥� autonomous emergency braking, for one 鈥� to meet (and likely exceed) the expectations of most luxury-car buyers, but, just in case, there are optional dress-up packages.
Either way, the big, bold, BMW X7 will provide first-class travel.
What you should know: 2019 BMW X7
Type: Four-door, all-wheel-drive full-size utility vehicle
Engines (h.p.): 3.0-litre DOHC I-6, turbocharged (335)
4.4-litre DOHC V-8, twin-turbocharged (456)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Market position: The market remains strong for high-end full-size tall wagons with three rows of seats, which is why BMW is introducing the X7. Yes, it鈥檚 a bit late to the party.
Points: Extra-bold styling emphasizes the larger dimensions. 鈥� Luxury interior lacks nothing. 鈥� Both engines deliver plenty of power, especially for trailer towing. 鈥� More fuel-efficient hybrid model is expected to arrive for the 2020 model year.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic backup alert (std.); active cruise control (std.); emergency braking (std.); lane-departure intervention (opt.)
L/100 km (city/hwy) 12.0/9.4 (3.0); Base price (incl. destination) $94,650
BY COMPARISON
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Base price: $90,200
King-size utility model has all the right stuff. AMG 63 version comes with 577 h.p.
Volvo XC90
Base price: $61,800
Attractive base price, but top-end trim costs more than six figures.
Lexus LX 570
Base price: $112,400
Loaded-up luxury utility model comes standard with a 383-h.p. V-8.
If you鈥檙e interested in new or used vehicles, be sure to visit to find your dream car today!
-written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media
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