LOOKS

From the moment I first viewed the 2023 BMW X7 M60i, it immediately stood out — thanks to its beautiful matte Frozen Marina Bay Blue Metallic paint job that just pops and will definitely turn heads.

And keeping with BMW trends, the 2023 X7 features the big and bold illuminated kidney style front grille. This look will typically draw mixed reviews, but I believe it works well on the X7. It fits with the overall look and feel of the vehicle, which I would call muscular in nature. You need to be bold to standout in the luxury SUV segment, and the X7 certainly delivers in that regard.

A large panoramic moonroof can be opened over the front part of the X7, and third row passengers get their own mini moonroof with its own set of controls in the back.

The X7 also features roof rails and carbon fiber trim, power-folding heated side mirrors, and my test vehicle has 22-inch wheels (you can also opt for 23-inch wheels).

Soft-close doors will prevent slamming, and headlights up front have been restyled for 2023. 

Moving on to the interior of the X7, BMW had delivered a compelling, quality design that can take on the best in the field of luxury haulers.

The M60i features well-built and comfortable leather seating in all three rows, and window shades in the middle row that can be controlled by the driver. It also features heated front seat armrests, heated front seats, and a heated M Sport steering wheel.

A massive tech dashboard curves across the front of the vehicle, incorporating both the 12.3-inch driver display information and the 14.9-inch center infotainment setup, and looks quite sharp compared to rival setups.

The second row is configurable to allow for Captain’s Chairs. This means you can opt for 6 or 7 seats in the X7. The Captain's Chairs are supremely comfortable, and feature a soft Anthracite Alcantara headliner for improved comfort.

The X7’s third-row seating is a bit tight, and best for kids. To adjust the vehicle to fit your seating and cargo needs, the second and third rows go up and down via one-touch power controls.

There are some strong optional packages offered on the X7. The Climate Comfort package includes ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats, and five-zone automatic climate control.

The Executive package features special goodies including massaging front seats, heated and cooled cup holders, and a glass shifter.

Another nice feature inside the X7 is the ambient lighting options, which are easy to adjust to change the mood, and the audio speakers are well-designed in unique locations throughout the vehicle.

The optional massaging seat functions are easy to access and adjust, and will help to relieve stress on longer rides. It’s a nice feature that can make even daily commutes more enjoyable.

Bringing a lot of drinks with you on a trip? No problem, as there are a plethora of cupholders in all rows. And each row has its own climate controls to fit different needs.

Cargo space is decent on the X7, but not best in class. Numbers are 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 90.4 cubic feet with all rear rows down. These are respectable, but rivals such as the Escalade top out over 100 cubic feet.


HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2023 BMW X7 M60i comes equipped with a powerful, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine boasting 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque.

These are some serious numbers, and are evident in the sub-4 second 0-to-60 time. For as large as it is, this vehicle gets moving tremendously fast. It’s about as sporty a ride as you can expect from something weighing nearly three tons.

The power plant is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and it also incorporates a 48V Mild Hybrid system to improve fuel economy.

There is a tremendously pleasing growl from the V8 when you are really hauling. Passengers will feel the kick upon launch, and it’s easy to get up to 90 mph or more and not even notice how fast you’re going. It’s a combination of tremendous acceleration with a smooth and quiet overall operation.

The X7, due to its sporty suspension, also handles turns very well at all speeds for such a large SUV. It offers a better driving experience overall than many luxury rivals in this size and price range.

Driving features included on the X7 M60i include: 
— Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and Brake Control
— 2-axle self-leveling air suspension
— M Sport 4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes with Cornering Brake Control
— M Sport exhaust system
— M Sport Differential

Drive modes are offered on the X7 and include Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro. There is also a hill descent setting. 
Maximum towing capacity on the X7 is an impressive 7,500 pounds.

If you opt for the base X7, the xDrive40i trim level, you step down a bit to a 3.0-liter turbo six cylinder engine offering 375 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque (and a 0-to-60 time of just over 5 seconds). While a good deal less power than the M60i, you’ll also spend a lot less as it’s more budget-friendly.

The limited edition Alpina XB7 trim features an even more powerful V-8 offering 630 horsepower and 590 pound-feet.

 
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY 

The BMW X7’s infotainment setup is powered by the iDrive 8 system, which delivers a superb performance. The Navigation system, phone calls, radio controls and more are easily controlled by both voice commands and touch controls, and the 14.9-inch screen’s display is crisp and clear.

Multiple cameras are included to show rear, side and 360-degree views that are helpful in parking situations. 

There is one huge piece of curved glass that arcs across the dashboard, which includes both the driver information screen and the center infotainment screen. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are compatible with the X7, and in my experience Android Auto worked well, porting my phone setup to the center screen wirelessly.

There’s also an iDrive controller dial placed in the center console to help you navigate through menus, and there is BMW’s unique gesture control capability for some basic commands such as adjusting volume.

A head-up display helps keep you focused on the road ahead, and wireless phone charging is also included.

One nice tech Easter Egg is the hidden charging ports behind front seats, which can be used by second-row passengers.

A Wi-Fi hotspot is offered in the X7, and BMW's Digital Key lets you control some vehicle functions remotely via smartphone app. USB ports are offered in all three rows of the X7.

High-end and high-quality sound systems are offered on the X7, including options from Harman Kardon and the even more robust Bowers & Wilkins system.

The X7 also holds up well in the safety realm, offering a wide array of safety systems, including Active Blind Spot Detection, Surround View with 3D View, Forward Collision Warning and Automated Emergency Braking, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and more.

You’ll get a warning if the X7 leaves your lane, which is easy to do with such a large and wide vehicle.

There’s also a basic self-driving system called Driving Assistance Pro, which employs adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist and other features. The system activates with ease, just touch one button and the car takes over steering effectively — even on curvy roads.

Also, the Parking Assistant Professional system — through the use of  Surround View cameras — can park itself between two cars in a parking lot, or parallel park between vehicles on the road.

MPG

The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2023 BMW X7 M60i are 16 city/21 highway/18 combined.

In my real-world testing, I averaged around 17 mpg.

If you opt for the X7’s base XDrive40i model with the six-cylinder engine, you’ll get 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

These numbers are roughly the same or slightly better than what you’ll achieve with rivals from Audi, Mercedes and Land Rover. So fuel economy won’t be the main deciding point when choosing a large luxury SUV.


PRICE

Luxury vehicles have luxury price tags, and this one is no exception.

The 2023 BMW X7 M60i that I tested was priced at $122,545; and the base price for the M60i trim level starts about $104K. The base X7 (the xDrive40i trim) is much less, starting around $79K, which will save you a hefty $25K. And if you want to go the other direction, an even more powerful, limited edition Alpina XB7 trim level is offered for $145K.

Realistically, most X7 buyers are more likely to choose the base model and its six-cylinder power plant, though the folks who splurge for the V8-powered M60i will definitely feel the difference in power.

In terms of comparing these prices to rivals, it’s roughly equivalent to what Mercedes will charge you for its GLS SUV, but less expensive than some rivals such as the Range Rover.

Warrantywise, the X7 comes with respectable coverage, including:
— 4-year, 50,000 mile new vehicle warranty 
— 4-year, 50,000 mile powertrain warranty
— 12-year, unlimited mileage rust perforation limited warranty
— 4-year, unlimited mileage roadside assistance program
— No costs for maintenance for the first three years/36K miles


BOTTOM LINE

It’s hard to find a three-row luxury SUV that’s more fun to drive and a better complete package than the 2023 BMW X7 M60i. It costs a pretty penny, which will limit its reach, but every ride is an adventure and an experience to look forward to.

From its stunning looks, to cutting edge tech, to a powerful and agile driving experience that can compare to any of its luxury SUV rivals, the X7 is a strong contender for best in class and definitely worth a test for all luxury SUV shoppers. 

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