BMW X7 review - Practicality, comfort and boot space
The X7 is one of the most practical cars in its class, not least because it’s so big
The BMW X7 is a large seven-seat SUV that will happily accommodate large families or groups of executives alike – it’s very spacious inside the large cabin, which in turn only helps to increase its luxurious feel.
The standard seating layout is two-three-two, with a six-seater captain's chair second row option available. Being so tall, access to the third row is tricky on account of the height of the floor, but the actual opening is both wide and electrically actuated.
Up front, the driver benefits from BMW’s ability to create a near-perfect driving position; there’s lots of electrically actuated adjustment in the standard-fit Comfort seats and steering column. There’s also a great view out over the car’s long, squared-off bonnet, while all-round visibility is excellent thanks to the tall glasshouse. The standard parking assistance features do a good job of helping out in tighter spots, but the cameras are a must-have on something so big.
Along with the predictably massive boot, interior storage is plentiful – big door bins, a large centre cubby and plenty of cup holders, including for the passengers in the rearmost seats. The boot is still spacious with all the seats in place, and thanks to the boxy roofline is able to be stacked above the parcel shelf if need be.
Size
The X7 is one of the larger cars on sale in the UK – it’s 5,151mm long, 1,805mm tall and exactly 2,000mm wide not including the side mirrors. Parking a car as big as this in multi-storey car parks will always be a challenge, especially given that you’d almost fit a Suzuki Jimny in its wheelbase, but this is something the rear-wheel steering does at least attempt to lessen. The Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90 are both a little shorter and narrower, but a modern Range Rover will have just as much trouble in most tight parking spots.
Leg room, head room & passenger space
The BMW X7 comes with seven seats as standard and unlike some rivals it offers all seven of its occupants a luxurious, spacious journey; it’s not dark or cramped in the rearmost seats.
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A six-seat configuration is available for £660, replacing the central bench with two armchair-type seats. This is a good option if you don’t need the extra seat as access to the rear is improved.
Front and middle-row passengers have buckets of room in all directions, while those in the rear will find little to complain about. There are Isofix points on the outer two middle seats and two in the rear as an added bonus for large families.
Boot
The BMW X7 has a big boot, even with all seven seats in place. With seven occupants it’ll hold 326 litres, comfortably more than you get in a Discovery or XC90. Fold down the third row and there’s 750 litres – considerably less than the Discovery’s 1,137 in the same configuration. Naturally, all rear seats fold at the touch of a button.
Fold down the middle row and there’s a van-like 2,120 litres to play with. By contrast, the Volvo XC90 has 1,816 litres. However, the X7 can’t quite match the Discovery’s cavernous 2,406 litre boot for outright space. Regardless, the BMW’s boot is well-shaped and perfect for moving furniture and suitcases alike – the loading of which is made easier by a split tailgate.
Towing
The X7 makes for a particularly opulent tow car – xDrive30d models can tow a 2,200kg braked trailer or 750kg unbraked, while the M50d improves on the braked figure with a 2,600kg rating. All models can be fitted with a tow hitch at no extra cost. The petrol-powered xDrive40i has the same ratings as the xDrive40d, while the M50i has the biggest braked rating at 2,700kg.
Those looking to tow the most weight possible are still better served by the Land Rover Discovery and its 3,500kg rating.
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