2021 BMW X7

Pros: Good ride and handling balance; long list of tech and safety features; high-class cabin trimmings

Cons: Fuel economy with V8 engine; steep pricing, especially for M50i and Alpina XB7 models

CG Says: The 2021 BMW X7 adds a high-performance Alpina XB7 model powered by a 612-horsepower twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. BMW says the Alpina can accelerate 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 180 mph. There is also a new limited-edition M50i Dark Shadow Edition with unique colors and trim. The xDrive 50i has been dropped, although there is still a M50i. The 40i gains a 48-volt mild hybrid system, but horsepower is unchanged. Satellite radio, Android Auto, and heated seats/steering wheel/armrest now standard. BMW introduced its largest-ever SUV for 2019. The X7 is a premium large crossover that can hold up to seven passengers in three rows of seating; it’s about nine inches longer than the midsize BMW X5. All X7s come standard with all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The M50i is powered by a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, while that V-8 is tuned to produce 612 hp in the Alpina XB7. All powerplants are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. An available Driving Assistant Professional package includes lane-keep assist; Active Side-Collision protection; and Extended Traffic Jam Assist, an adaptive cruise-control system that enables hands-free driving on limited-access highways at speeds below 37 mph. Other available features include active rear-wheel steering; Active Comfort Drive suspension control, which uses forward-facing cameras to detect oncoming road conditions and adjust the suspension accordingly; Automatic Lane Change, which enables the driver to execute a lane change simply by holding the turn-signal stalk in the desired direction; Evasion Aid, an automatic evasive steering assist feature; and Emergency Stop Assistant, which can bring the vehicle to standstill at the edge of the road if the driver suddenly becomes incapacitated. Luxury-brand buyers who need the passenger and cargo capacity of a three-row SUV can now add the BMW X7 to their shopping list. The X7’s driving personality is polished and athletic for a vehicle its size, and its cabin looks and feels fantastic. The third-row seat isn’t particularly spacious, but it can accommodate average-sized adults. The broad range of high-tech comfort and safety features also appeal, but prices are expectedly high—for most shoppers, a carefully optioned xDrive40i is the best value.