While the three-row luxury SUV segment isn’t a particularly crowded one, you do have some powerful players to consider, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS or even the latest Lincoln Navigator.
Now, there’s a new player in this niche, and it aims straight for the top. It is of course the BMW X7, tested here by Doug DeMuro in xDrive40i spec that’s powered by a 335 HP (340 PS) 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline-six.
According to DeMuro, it’s very hard to fault the X7. He was particularly impressed with the SUV’s high-quality interior, wide range of ultra-modern safety and convenience features, extremely comfortable and quiet cabin and overall practicality.
Despite this being the xDrive40i and not the range-topping 50i, DeMuro was reasonably satisfied with its performance figures. In a straight line, the entry-level X7 can accelerate to 60 mph (96 mph) in 5.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds), which may not sound impressive if you’re stepping out of a supercar, but for something that weighs almost 5,500 lbs (2,500 kg), it’s a mighty achievement.
What’s interesting is that the X7 felt “a lot more substantial and stable” compared to the X5, in itself an excellent luxury SUV. Since the X7 purports to be much more than a longer X5, though, it has to be in order to satisfy customers and becoming the default choice in its segment.