Used 2019 BMW X7

BMW builds nearly 400,000 vehicles per year at its Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, and the newest model to be produced there is the 2019 X7, a large 3-row SUV that seats up to seven people. Although the X5 is available with an optional 3rd-row seat, the new 2019 BMW X7 has a standard third row, and it’s a much more spacious bench that accommodates two normal-size adults (up to about 6-feet tall) in remarkably good comfort. BMW makes the new X7 available with a smooth 3.0-liter inline-6 engine in the xDrive40i, or a far throatier 4.4-liter V8 in the xDrive50i. All-wheel drive is standard in both, as is an 8-speed automatic transmission. In overall size, BMW’s new X7 is very close to its main competitor, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, and it’s only 0.7 inches shorter than a Chevrolet Tahoe. For added perspective, consider this: Although the X7 is big, it’s still a fraction of an inch shorter than the company’s large 7 Series luxury sedan in overall length.

In one long day, KBB drove the new 2019 BMW X7 from Tallahassee to Baton Rouge, a 458-mile trip that took us across the panhandle of Florida, along the Gulf Coast and then across Alabama and Mississippi into Louisiana. A beautiful drive it was, in a V8-powered X7 xDrive50i in the morning and a 6-cylinder X7 xDrive40i in the afternoon. Impressions:

The BMW X7 xDrive50i: When you fire up the xDrive50i, it comes to life with a roar that tells you something’s special underhood. Indeed, there is. The 456-horsepower V8, blessed with snappy throttle response and a rip-roaring exhaust note, makes the X7 feel plenty quick. Although the 50i has a limited top speed of 130 mph (the same as the 40i’s), BMW says it hits 60 mph in a fleet 5.2 seconds. What you notice most of all on the highway is just how stable and quiet this big BMW X7 is. When you’re traveling at 70 mph, it feels like you’re going about 50, and the ride delivered by the standard air suspension felt comfortable without being floaty. When we switched the X7 to Sport mode, the chassis dropped 20 millimeters and the ride got noticeably firmer but not unpleasant. The throttle and transmission also became more responsive; in fact, when we switched to Sport, the X7 immediately dropped down a gear and began accelerating even though we kept the gas pedal in the same exact position. As we pulled in for lunch near Pensacola, Florida (home of the Navy’s Blue Angels), the X7’s onboard computer registered 17.8 mpg. Not great.

The BMW X7 xDrive40i: Although the 6-cylinder X7 has a bit less power and torque than the xDrive50i, it’s about $20,000 less expensive and feels totally acceptable on the open road and in daily use. The 335-horsepower inline-6 is a smooth engine, and the twin-scroll turbocharger provides plenty of linear power with no hint of lag, which is much appreciated in a vehicle with a substantial curb weight of 5,370 pounds. BMW says the xDrive40i hits 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Like the X7 xDrive50i, the X7 xDrive40i gobbles up miles with ease, with the refined 6-cylinder serving more in the background than the raucous V8. The 8-speed automatic shifted smoothly and when we wanted it to, so we rarely if at all used the paddles on the back of the X7’s thick-rimmed steering wheel. When we pulled into a wet Baton Rouge at the end of the day (with Tom Petty’s “Louisiana Rain” serendipitously playing on the X7’s stereo), the trip computer indicated 21.7 mpg: a big improvement over the V8-powered xDrive50i.

The 2019 BMW X7 can be ordered as a 7-seater with a center bench or a 6-seater with 2nd-row captain’s chairs. Either way, this large and opulent new BMW SUV is handsome inside, with lots of rich seat and dash leather complemented by attractive wood trim. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is modern and highly configurable, while the seventh generation of BMW’s multifunction iDrive controller has its usual spot on the center console, backed by a few redundant (but appreciated) buttons. Overall space inside this big BMW SUV is excellent; there’s enough headroom and legroom in both of the X7’s rear rows for 6-foot-tall passengers to sit comfortably. Moreover, the 2nd-row seats tip forward to aid ingress and egress. Also, the X7’s middle- and back-row seatbacks can be automatically lowered (or returned to their upright position) via a handy button in the cargo area.

The new X7 does not stray far from BMW’s current design language; it’s immediately identifiable as a large BMW SUV, thanks in part to a familiar silhouette and the largest kidney-shaped grilles ever to grace one of the Munich-based company’s products. While the slim headlights emphasize the width of the X7, BMW says the prominent side character line is a hallmark of the company’s new design language. In back, a chrome bar between the X7’s slim LED taillights recalls that of the 7 Series sedan.

SLIDING 2ND-ROW SEATS
The X7’s 2nd-row captain’s chairs (or bench) have 5.7 inches of travel to accommodate passengers of varying sizes and help people access the third row. Adjustment for all three rows of seats is electric, and the X7’s elongated rear side doors further aid rear access.

ONE-TOUCH FOLDING SEATS
Via a single switch in the cargo area, the X7’s middle and rearmost seatbacks fold forward to maximize cargo capacity, which peaks at 90.4 cubic feet when both rows are folded. Another switch in back lowers the X7 (via the air suspension) a bit, for easier loading of cargo.

All 2019 BMW X7s are fitted with 21-inch wheels, run-flat tires, heated front seats, air suspension, a panoramic moonroof, onboard Wi-Fi, wireless smartphone charging, tinted rear privacy glass and power-adjustable seats in all three rows. Also standard: 4-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Active Driving Assistant, a safety suite of technologies that includes blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, rear-collision warning, frontal-collision warning (with pedestrian protection), rear cross-traffic alert and speed-limit information. The xDrive50i has a 360-degree top-view camera system that aids parking, plus a head-up display and Active Driving Professional, which adds lane-keeping assist and traffic-jam assistant.

This last system, which works only on limited-access highways at speeds up to 37 mph, deserves mention because it’s a step toward autonomous driving. An interior optical/infrared camera monitors the eye and nose position of the driver to determine if he’s watching the road ahead. If he’s determined to be attentive, the driver doesn’t have to keep his hands on the steering wheel of the X7, which continues down the road autonomously. Also, when lane-keeping assist is active, the X7’s automatic lane-change feature can be used. By moving the directional stalk in the direction of the desired lane change, the X7 determines if there’s enough space in the adjacent lane and then steers into the spot if it’s available. (The conditions had to be just right for this lane-change technology to work, so it felt like more trouble than it was worth, especially when considering that the X7 already has handy blind-spot warning lights.)

A Dynamic Handling Package, which includes M Sport brakes, Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview, and an M Sport Differential, costs $4,750 on the xDrive50i. The same package, without the sporty limited-slip M differential, is available on the xDrive40i for $3,850.

Other options include 22-inch wheels, 5-zone automatic climate control, aluminum running boards, a tow hitch and a $3,000 Premium package that has remote engine start, soft-close automatic doors, electric window shades and a 1,500-watt Harman Kardon stereo with 20 speakers. (Since this powerful stereo is standard on the xDrive50i, the Premium package costs only $1,550 on that model.) If you order the new X7 with a Panorama Sky Lounge LED roof (it’s part of the $2,100 Executive package available only on the xDrive50i), it simulates a starry sky at night, even when it’s cloudy outside.

Last, families may want to consider the $2,200 Rear Entertainment package. It includes a pair of 10.2-inch full-HD touch-screen displays (on the back of the front seats), a Blu-ray-compatible DVD player, an HDMI port and two headphone jacks. Those in back can use their own media sources or keep track of the X7’s journey via the nav system.

It’s good to see an inline-6 under the hood of the X7 xDrive40i. It’s an aluminum-block 3.0-liter engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger that enables it to produce 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel economy for this smooth and well-balanced engine is a respectable 20-mpg city/25-mpg highway. The 4.4-liter V8 in the xDrive50i, with twin turbochargers nestled in its vee, produces 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, fuel economy takes a hit, the xDrive50i rated by the EPA at 15-mpg city/21-mpg highway. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and both endow the new X7 with a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (xDrive40i)
330 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
330 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/25 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (xDrive50i)
456 horsepower @ 5,250-6,000 rpm
479 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg