Used BMW X7 2019-present review

There is a distinction between making an entrance and making an impression, but no one seems to have passed the message on to BMW.

When the firm launched this luxurious BMW X7 seven-seat SUV, in 2019, it was eager for it to stand out from the crowd, and so it gave the already gargantuan car a grille so large you can see it from the moon.

Luckily, there is more to the car than just the way it looks, and the X7 lives up to its grand exterior with excellent driving manners and a comfortable and opulent interior. In bold terms, though, it’s huge, being nearly 5.2m long and six feet tall, and it weighs in at just under 2.5 tonnes.

Engines: The car was originally introduced with three choices of engine, two of which were diesel-fuelled but neither of which lasted long before they were replaced. So instead of a range comprising 30d, 40i and M50d derivatives, as it was originally laid out, later models come as an X7 xDrive40i and a 40d, both of which develop 335bhp. Mild hybrid technology was added, too.

At the very top of the X7 range, meanwhile, where once there was the aforementioned and remarkable quad-turbo diesel M50d, there is in later models an xDrive M50i, which becomes one of the most powerful seven-seat passenger cars money can buy, even though it burns petrol and not diesel like its immediate predecessor.

There’s also an M Performance version, with its 523bhp twin-turbocharged V8 and piffling 4.7sec 0-62mph acceleration claim.

Trims & equipment: As for trims, there’s a simple choice of two different levels. Every X7 is positively loaded with kit; air suspension, four-zone climate control, and heated front and rear seats are all standard. As ever, though, there’s an M Sport model that adds sporty cosmetic touches and upgraded brakes, with the M50d and the M50i standing alone as trim levels in their own right, adding a limited-slip differential on the rear axle to increase cornering traction. Later, post-2022 models added an Excellence trim.

Ride & handling: On the road, the 261bhp xDrive30d has plenty of performance. Push the accelerator and this huge SUV disguises its bulk well, getting you up to motorway speeds in the kind of effortless manner you’d expect from something half the size. It’s a civilised engine, too.

If you opt for the six-cylinder petrol xDrive40i you’ll find it serenely quiet when you want it to be, and nice and snarly when you’re pressing on. What’s more, it’s impressively responsive, even at the very bottom of the rev range.

The most potent engines in the range, though, are found under the bonnets of the M50d and M50i. In the M50d, it’s a diesel engine that can propel you up the road with near-explosive force and doesn’t sound too uncouth in the process, although it’s noisier than the xDrive30d.

When it comes to ride comfort, the standard air suspension does a fine job of soaking up whatever the road can throw at it, and it even gives the Audi Q7 a run for its money on the motorway. Unlike the smaller X5, the X7 really feels its size on winding roads – particularly narrow ones.

Turn the steering wheel and the nose takes a moment to react, leaving you wondering if you’re going to plough straight on. Fortunately, the X7 does change course – although there’s lots of body lean when it does so.

Generally, the X7 is pleasant and relaxing to drive, whether munching through motorway miles or negotiating urban traffic. Here, the optional four-wheel steering greatly aids manoeuvrability at low speeds by turning the rear wheels very slightly in the opposite direction to the fronts for a reduced turning circle.

Head off-road and the X7 will tackle rougher terrain than most buyers will reasonably ask of it, especially if you opt for the optional off-road package; this provides drive settings to suit different terrains, as well as adding underbody protection.

Interior & practicality: Where its interior falls down on showiness, the X7 makes up for on quality. Every surface you look at or touch simply screams quality and craftsmanship, and this lends its interior a truly upmarket ambience.

Infotainment is something of an X7 speciality, thanks to BMW’s latest 12.3in iDrive system. It can be operated through an extremely responsive touchscreen, the intuitive rotary-dial controller or even by using BMW’s voice control system.

On top of those, there’s gesture control to adjust the volume, skip music tracks or change radio stations, although you do feel a bit silly wafting your hand around to activate it. With so many easy interfaces, all the key infotainment functions can be used safely while driving.

Of course, the X7 has masses of interior space. It’s tall and airy up front, and so wide that the driver could almost feel like they’re in a different postcode to their front passenger. There’s also plenty of room for those on the second-row seats to stretch out and, with no shortage of head, leg or shoulder room, even three adults sitting side-by-side will be relatively comfortable.

There’s even dual-zone climate control for the second row and heated seats for the outer passengers. The seats can be moved forwards and backwards electrically in a 60/40 configuration, and can be folded in a 40/20/40 split.

The X7 also matches the Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLS by offering a third seating row as standard, and it’s seriously roomy, too – far more so than the Audi Q7’s or even that of the Land Rover Discovery. Even a couple of six-footers will fit comfortably enough.

As for the boot, the BMW X7 retains the smaller X5’s split-folding tailgate layout, whose lower section flips out to serve as a handy perch when taking off muddy wellies or similar. There’s space for a couple of suitcases even when the third-row seats are in use; in five-seat mode there’s a huge boot.

If you're interested in finding a used X7, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Used prices for the BMW X7 start at around £47,000 for a clean car with an average mileage for the year from 2019. You’ll need in at least £50,000 for a good 2020 model, and a little more still for an M50d or M50i version. Have a budget upwards of £60,000 on 2023 or 2024 models.

MPG

The X7 is capable of achieving reasonably good figures on paper, despite its mass, with an average 36.2mpg for the 40d, 25.7mpg for the 40i, 22.1mpg for the M50i and 33.6mpg for the 30d.

Road tax

All X7s will pay tax at the current flat rate, currently £190 a year, plus an extra luxury car tax from years two to six that currently stands at £410 a year.

Servicing

Servicing at BMW centres won't be cheap, though. However, fixed price servicing is an option, as is the ability to spread the cost via monthly instalments.

If you’re seeking out one of the first 2019 cars into the UK you could do no better than the 30d version. It’s a good blend of punch and efficiency. For later models we’d shop for a 40d version.

Our advice is to stick with the entry-level trim – simply named BMW X7 – but to consider seeking out a used car where some of the optional extras have been added for a little extra extravagance. You could find heated and cooled cupholders, massaging seats and TV screens for the second row, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg...

Our favourite BMW X7: X7 30d

The Audi Q7 is wonderfully refined, practical and cosseting. The Q7's interior is smart, and it’s a little cheaper used than the X7. It’s a great all-rounder.

The Land Rover Discovery is an old favourite and in its latest iteration, launched in 2017, it’s terrifically comfortable, with air suspension as standard. It’s also better off road than the BMW X7.

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If you're interested in finding a used X7, or any of the other SUVs mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.