BMW X7 M50i 2021 Review

When it comes to luxury appointments, available powertrains and overall quality, it's hard to find fault with the 2021 BMW X7. The X7 isn't without drawbacks, such as the confusing climate-control interface and the big price tag (especially when you start adding options), but we consider it a strong contender in its class. Read our full Expert Rating of the BMW X7 to see how it stacks up against competitors in every category from value to performance.

Which X7 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 BMW X7 is a seven-passenger, three-row SUV that is available in two trim levels: xDrive40i and M50i. The xDrive40i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine, paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Total output is 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. The M50i uses a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

xDrive40i Even though it's the base trim, the xDrive40i includes an impressive list of features including:

• Self-leveling air-ride suspension
• 21-inch wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
• Power dual-section tailgate
• Remote start
• Panoramic sunroof

Interior features include:

• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app
• Simulated leather upholstery (SensaTec) with wood trim
• Heated front seats
• Heated front armrests and steering wheel

Standard technology and safety features for the X7 include:

• 12.3-inch central touchscreen with navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Digital gauge cluster
• Wireless charging pad
• 10-speaker sound system
• Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

M50i Along with its more powerful engine, the M50i adds:

• 22-inch wheels
• Adaptive sport suspension
• Sport differential
• M Sport brakes with blue calipers
• Multicontour front seats
• Soft-close doors
• Head-up display
• Infotainment gesture control (controlling features like volume and track selection by gesturing with your hands)
• Surround-view camera
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system

Most of the X7's options are bundled in packages. Here are some of the major ones and their contents: Cold Weather package:

• Front and rear heated seats
• Five-zone climate control

Driving Assistance Professional package:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the BMW and the car in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the X7 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Collision detection with automatic lane change assist
• Forward cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle in front you is about to cross your vehicle's path)

Other options include:

• Ventilated and massaging front seats
• Running boards
• Upgraded trailer hitch
• Second-row captain's chairs
• 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system
• Panoramic sunroof with embedded LED lighting
• Dual-screen rear entertainment system
• Dark Shadow Edition (M50i with special dark gray paint and trim)