The X7: A Luxe, Large Chapter in BMW’s Legend

When a person is asked to name the most desirable brands for luxury automobiles, the odds are that BMW will be the first one they mention. BMW builds the cars that you see at the movies and the cars that make your head turn on street corners. The brand combines superior performance with decadent luxury in vehicles that show us everything a car can be…and more. However, luxury can be expensive, which is why shopping for a used BMW for sale can be a great option, especially if you need a family vehicle.

Buying pre-owned allows you to pay less upfront, have lower insurance premiums, and open up access to a larger selection. Unlike new cars, you aren’t constrained by the trims, features, and options from just one year; you have the benefit of multiple model years to choose from. With vehicle history reports and Certified Pre-Owned programs, you can shop with peace of mind. While BMW offers many options for families, the top pick is the three-row BMW X7, which combines luxury and performance with tons of seating and cargo space.

A Little History: BMW

Founded in 1913 as an aircraft engine company, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (translated into English, it means “Bavarian Motor Works”) entered the automotive world in 1928. Since then, BMW has created some of the most iconic luxury cars ever to be envisioned. Time and again, it has pushed the boundaries of what a vehicle can offer in terms of performance, luxury, and technology.

In 2000, BMW took on the luxury SUV segment for the first time with the midsize X5. The knowledge gained from the earlier acquisition of Land Rover gave the engineers a starting point. What they created from there had pure BMW blood pumping through its veins. It was stylish, posh, and drove with greater agility than most luxury SUVs of the time. After two decades and four generations, the X5 continues to innovate, inspire, and imagine new possibilities.

The larger X7 was announced in 2014, with a prototype rolling out in 2018. It launched in 2019 as the three-row sibling of the X5. It offers seating for seven passengers, and its brawn makes it the largest SUV in the BMW lineup. Size, however, has not constrained the combination of high performance and even higher luxury that is the signature of BMW. Recently, the X7 was awarded the title Best Large Luxury SUV by Car and Driver. Even more impressively, it also took home the highly-coveted Editors’ Choice award.

Performance Panache

When the X7 first set sail in 2019, it produced a bold 335 hp from the standard 3.0L turbocharged I-6 engine or 456 hp from the optional 4.4L twin-turbo V8. The EPA estimated mileage was 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway with the base engine, which is not bad at all for a three-row luxury SUV. It can reach a top speed of 130 mph and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds when equipped with the optional V8 engine.

The 2023 model year saw the addition of updated engine options, now sporting mild-hybrid technology across the board, providing even more amazing specs for the X7. This refreshed X7 unleashes 375 hp from its base engine or 523 hp from the optional V8. There is even an ultra-luxury Alpina XB7 version that provides an incredible 631 hp, although finding a used example can take some work. Just as impressively, the estimated fuel economy actually improved slightly for 2023 to 21 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.

Exterior Enchantment

While very similar, you can tell the original and refreshed versions of the X7 apart. The first generation has a regal front with headlamps that have an inquisitive sparkle. It is a stout vehicle with a squarish back end devoid of curves or excess ornamentation. The updated version has a more modern look with split headlights. An assertive front yields to the X7’s sculpted, toned body until it becomes the slight, gentle curves of the rear end.

One of the boldest design choices came in the X7’s grille. Instead of sticking to the narrower kidney shape that is one of BMW’s trademark style notes, it went for a larger, more oval shape. While it angered fans of the time, it’s grown to have a fan base. If that doesn’t sound like the formula for a cult classic, we don’t know what does.

Interior Inspiration

The roomy cabin of the X7 has beckoned drivers and passengers alike from the very beginning. Seven seats, all upholstered in leather, and with plenty of head and leg room was a dream come true for drivers tired of family SUVs that didn’t quite live up to the luxury label. There is also a six-seat configuration for even more space. Behind the driver and front seat passenger, the second row has two luxe captain’s chairs, and the third row has a two-seat bench. One of the most interesting features of the X7 is the three-piece glass roof. This opens up the cabin to sunlight and stargazing for everyone onboard and is a perfect frame for the wonders of natural life or city lights.

Technology Is Always in Style

The BMW Live Cockpit greets the driver the moment they sit down, showing the gauge cluster and control panel on dual screens. This was originally a pair of 12.3-inch displays, but the central infotainment display was upgraded to 14.9 inches during the 2023 refresh. If you need navigation or entertainment, the information is right there and can be projected onto the bottom part of the windshield with the heads-up display.

Tech features seen over the model years include a 20-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, apps to tie into the vehicle’s functions, and an excellent climate control system with several different iterations. While features vary from model year to model year, each one has great features for connectivity, quality audio, and the kind of climate control that makes every season as comfortable as your living room.

Safety Is the New Cool

Nothing is more in style than getting safely to your destination. To rise to this challenge, BMW put together a top-tier safety package, the BMW Active Driving Assistant. This suite of safety features will give you the feeling of having a silent copilot. There are several iterations available, so you’ll need to check what features are available for the model year and trim of the used X7 you are considering, as it will vary.

Some features you are likely to find on a used X7 include Active Blind Spot Detection, Forward Collision Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assistant. While some of these features are meant to prevent or mitigate the impact of a collision, others are aimed at correcting lane drift or tailgating. Do you know what else is always in style? Letting go of bad driving habits.

The BMW X7: Pre-Owned But Never Predictable

As you’ve seen, the X7 embodies all of the characteristics that make BMW legendary: stylish, high-performing, posh, and emotive. A luxury driving experience with the heart of a lion, this three-row SUV takes on the road with zeal. With several great model years to choose from on the pre-owned market, there’s an X7 that can fulfill your greatest driving desires. You can’t go wrong with a BMW, but the X7 could be the right BMW for you. There’s only one way to find out. It’s time to visit us and take the X7 for a test drive!