[Tabolleo] The Essence of a Luxury Family Car, BMW X7

Dynamic Driving Performance Despite Large Body
Unrivaled Popularity in the Imported Large SUV Market
Spaciousness Befitting a Large SUV... Generous Trunk Space
Equipped with Parking Assistance and Augmented Reality Navigation

If you want to assess a car brand's technological prowess, design, and product quality, you should try driving the brand's large sport utility vehicle (SUV). In terms of large SUV sales in the imported car market last year, BMW's flagship SUV, the X7 (pictured), posted overwhelming results. From January to April this year, 1,667 units of the X7 were sold. This is more than three times the number of Mercedes-Benz GLS units (491 units) and more than fifteen times the number of Audi Q8 units (105 units), both of which are competing German models.

Front view of BMW X7 M60i xDrive. Provided by BMW Korea

BMW first launched the X7 in the global market in 2019, and after a partial facelift in 2022, released the current model. To find out why the BMW X7 has remained in the spotlight in the imported large SUV market for such a long time, I took the high-performance model, the 'X7 M60i xDrive M Sport Pro,' for a test drive. The test drive covered approximately 800 kilometers between Seoul and Busan.

The first impression I got upon seeing the BMW X7 was that it looked both massive and sleek. The overall height (from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle) is 1,835 mm, which is taller than I am. The overall length (from bumper to rear) is 5,180 mm, exceeding 5 meters. Naturally, the large size of the vehicle made getting in and out a bit inconvenient, but the adjustable ride height function helped alleviate this issue.

BMW refers to this vehicle as a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). This is likely because they want to emphasize its agility despite an unladen weight of over 2.5 tons. BMW's signature dynamism is also reflected in the design. The split headlamps harmonize with the BMW kidney grille, giving the front a sharp yet robust impression.

At the rear, the very slim, three-dimensional taillights paired with chrome accents further highlight its agility. In particular, the high-performance M model I drove featured a glossy black high-gloss finish on the grille, side mirrors, window lines, and roof rails, adding a sporty touch.

Rear view of BMW X7 M60i xDrive. Provided by BMW Korea

Sitting in the driver's seat, I was satisfied with the open and spacious feel befitting a large SUV. The instrument panel for the driver is 12.3 inches, and the control display in the center of the dashboard is 14.9 inches, both offering large screens. Most vehicle functions could be controlled via buttons on the touchscreen. Instead of a traditional gear lever, a small crystal selector is used for shifting gears, which not only adds a luxurious design element but also increases the usability of the front seat area.

The spacious interior is another advantage of this vehicle. Even when sitting in the second or third row, there was no sense of confinement. The straight roofline extending to the third row provided ample headroom. There are separate windows for the third row, and the panoramic sunroof extends all the way back, enhancing the open feel.

BMW X7 M60i xDrive interior. Provided by BMW Korea

By pressing a button, the third-row seats can be folded down to create a spacious trunk area. This made it easy to fit long golf bags, large suitcases, or strollers. The tailgate opens in a split style (top and bottom), and the entire process can be operated with electric buttons, making it very convenient. Additionally, features such as massaging front seats, heated and cooled cup holders, soft-closing doors, and the top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System all stand out for their attention to comfort and convenience.

BMW X7 M60i xDrive trunk. Folding down the third row creates a spacious area, and the tailgate opens in two parts, top and bottom. Photo by Woo Suyeon

BMW X7 M60i xDrive 3rd row seat. Photo by Woo Suyeon

The driving performance was both agile and smooth. The high-performance M Performance model, the X7 M60i xDrive, is equipped with a 4.4-liter turbocharged gasoline V8 engine that delivers up to 530 horsepower and a maximum torque of 76.5 kg·m. It accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. When I pushed the car on the highway, it accelerated smoothly up to 160 km/h with hardly any vibration or noise.

The official fuel efficiency is 6.9 km per liter. By actively using the mild hybrid system in Eco mode, I was able to achieve an actual fuel efficiency of about 11.3 km per liter during my drive.

The driver assistance systems, which include active cruise control and automatic parking, were also impressive. I set the active cruise control to the speed limit, and even in congested sections, the car would automatically stop and start again, ensuring safe operation. This greatly reduced fatigue during long-distance driving. When navigation with augmented reality (AR) was set, the instrument panel displayed a real-time road view, overlaying navigation directions and distances on the actual road image, making it much easier to find my way.

360˚ camera equipped with parking assistant. Photo by Suyeon Woo

BMW has equipped all X7 models with the 'Parking Assistant Professional' function, which assists with automatic parking. This feature makes it possible to park successfully in tight spaces on the first try. Additionally, the car is equipped with a function that allows it to reverse out of a space for up to 200 meters, which is useful when needing to exit a dead-end alley.

If there was one drawback, it would be the navigation system. Of course, you can connect T Map from your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, the built-in navigation system's performance was somewhat lacking compared to T Map or the navigation systems in domestic cars. Domestic navigation systems alert you to mobile speed cameras or average speed enforcement zones, allowing you to adjust your speed accordingly, but BMW's built-in navigation only displays the speed limit of the road you are currently on.

The price of the high-performance, top-of-the-line 'X7 M60i xDrive M Sport Pro' that I test-drove starts at 182.4 million won. The standard gasoline model starts at 149.9 million won. If you are looking for a practical family car but do not want to miss out on high-performance capabilities and the luxury feel of the brand, this car is highly recommended.