The BMW X7 is a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) that made its global debut in Mar. 2019 and received a facelift in 2022. In line with the brand's identity of pursuing "Sheer Driving Pleasure," it combines outstanding driving performance with a range of safety and convenience features, competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Land Rover's Range Rover.
The large SUVs of premium brands are considered a highly demanding market, as they must satisfy multiple criteria—advanced driving technology, attractive design, and comfort as a family car that can please passengers of all ages from seniors to children.
On the 12th, I drove the BMW X7 on a roughly 100-kilometer route from Seoul to Tanhyeon-myeon in Paju, Gyeonggi, along the inter-Korean border area and back. The test-drive route mixed the Jayu-ro, which allows high-speed driving, with curved inclines and narrow residential roads—ideal for checking the X7's thrilling power and safety features. The test vehicle was the top high-performance model, the BMW X7 M60i xDrive.
The X7's first impression emphasized the toughness of a car with explosive driving performance rather than the flamboyance of a luxury car. The split headlamps on the front stretched thin and long to underscore a sharp image, and they harmonized with the large kidney grille extending prominently above and below to convey a dynamic feel.
The perimeter of the kidney grille is wrapped with the "Iconic Glow" line. Iconic Glow is BMW's lighting device in which LED lights illuminate along the contour of the radiator grille. At the rear, a single-bar chrome strip covered with a refined glass cover consolidation the left and right rear lights to further accentuate a premium feel.
As a high-performance model, the X7 M60i emphasizes differentiation from other trims with "black high-gloss" finishes on the kidney grille, side mirrors, and roof rails. In particular, it wears massive 22-inch black wheels, and blue calipers indicating the M Sport brake package sit within, giving off a powerful impression.
The interior felt designed to be simple and to enhance driver convenience. The high-resolution curved display on the dashboard is designed as a single unit combining a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. Unlike other vehicles where the screen is placed parallel to the driver and front passenger seats, the X7 positions it toward the driver for easier viewing and touch operation.
The X7's gear selector is a "toggle switch" type that you push or pull with a finger. Recently, many cars have positioned their gear selectors as buttons (Genesis, etc.) instead of a traditional gear stick, or as a column type controlled by a finger on a lever placed to the right of the steering wheel (Mercedes-Benz, etc.). The toggle switch lever felt somewhat awkward at first, but as time went on it actually felt more comfortable because it could be operated easily without having to confirm the button's position while driving.
Befitting BMW's flagship SUV, the X7 uses top-tier materials such as Individual Merino leather and an M anthracite Alcantara headliner. While the exterior underscores toughness and dynamism and the instrument panel emphasizes simplicity and convenience, the seats, headliner, and interior walls use premium materials to project a luxury image and enhance passenger comfort.
As an SUV that emphasizes the joy of driving—and as a top-spec M series model—its acceleration and driving performance were so excellent that there was little room for doubt. The BMW X7 M60i is equipped with a new 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 gasoline engine that delivers a maximum output of 530 horsepower and peak torque of 76.5 kg·m. It goes from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
The BMW X7 M60i's driving modes are divided into Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, and Eco Pro. While driving in Comfort mode, after leaving Seoul and entering the Jayu-ro, a firm push on the accelerator saw the X7 gather speed with heft and surge ahead smoothly.
After switching to Sport mode, I could fully feel the driving pleasure BMW emphasizes. As I increased speed in Sport mode, a loud, weighty engine note erupted as if a strong gasoline smell might burst forth at any moment, and the massive body felt like it was shooting out like a cannonball.
After leaving the Jayu-ro and entering downtown Paju, the curved course unfolding along the mountains also confirmed high-level driving performance. Even when changing direction multiple times and increasing speed on a winding two-lane road, the body controlled its movements without any tension or sway, maintaining stability.
The X7 M60i features Active Roll Stabilizer (ARS), a technology that reduces body roll from side to side on curved courses or uneven road surfaces.
Ride comfort was also satisfying. The BMW X7 M60i is equipped with air suspension. Air suspension is a suspension system that supports the vehicle body with air springs using the elasticity of compressed air. It smoothly absorbs small vibrations and shocks from the road to deliver a comfortable ride.
Competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLS in the premium full-size SUV market, BMW put considerable effort into the interior convenience of the rear seats in the X7 M60i for passengers in back.
The second row features a panoramic glass roof to enhance openness, and ambient lighting that highlights a luxurious mood at night as if entering a moving lounge. The third row adds heated seats, cup holders, climate control buttons, and USB-C ports so all passengers can travel comfortably. However, the third row's legroom—the space between the front seatback and the rear passenger's knees—is on the tight side, making it look uncomfortable for an adult man to ride for a long time.
The BMW X7 M60i's cargo area is designed with a split tailgate that opens upper and lower. The lower gate makes it convenient to set down heavy items and slide them in, and it can also serve as a seat. The third-row seats can be folded automatically with a button to expand cargo space.
With the third row fully folded, it is said to accommodate four golf bags and four Boston bags. While it is versatile as a family car, a single vehicle also suffices for a foursome heading out for a round of golf.
Prices for the BMW X7 vary by trim and seating capacity. The base gasoline model, the xDrive40i, sells for between 152.3 million won and 156.8 million won, and the diesel model, the xDrive40d, sells for between 153.3 million won and 158.5 million won. The M60i is priced between 184.8 million won and 196.2 million won.