2023 BMW X7

The first-ever BMW X7 was revealed back in 2018. When it was unveiled, everyone immediately commented on the enormity of its grilles, but the topic of conversation quickly changed to its overall design in 2020 when the luxury flagship SUV was spied with new body panels. And now, after much speculation, the high-riding high-end heifer has revealed itself as a substantially refreshed alternative to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS. Once again, its looks are the talk of the town as every BMW-hating keyboard warrior writes a comment about how the design has deviated from where it ought to be, but there's a lot more going on here than just a new face, so keep an open mind.

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The 2023 BMW X7's release date in the USA is pegged for the third quarter of 2022, specifically in August. The Alpina-fettled XB7 will follow early in 2023.

As touched on at the outset, this is a range-topping luxury SUV, which means that it will do global battle with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Audi Q7. The price of the 2023 BMW X7 will start at $77,850 for the base xDrive40i model while the top-tier M60i - which replaces the now-defunct M50i - will set you back $103,100 before options and extras. Expect the Alpina XB7 to be even pricier.

The BMW X7's exterior will draw the most criticism. This front end debuts a new design language for BMW's luxury models, which means that split headlights will become more prevalent. On the new BMW X7 SUV, narrow Icon LED daytime running lights lead from the hood and double as turn signal indicators. Below these, recessed housings play host to the low- and high-beam Matrix LED headlights. Tinted to blend into the bodywork, these lead to little air curtains and a central lower grille that sits below the huge trademark kidney grilles. Speaking of, these are filled with new grille bars with chrome elements and can be had with the illuminated "Iconic Glow" upgrade, a standard feature on the top trim. From directly ahead, this new face looks very menacing and shows a keenness for what former BMW designer Chris Bangle called 'flame surfacing' - the art of creating a visual identity with contours and light.

At the rear, the taillights now boast three-dimensional sculpting and are claimed to generate greater light density, which allows their slim size. With a Shadowline effect, these tinted lights look great.

Speaking of dark elements, the new M Sport Package with its high-gloss black accents deletes all the satin and chrome accents in favor of a liquid noir finish. The package also gives the front a larger lower grille, the profile new side skirts, mirror caps, and blue brake calipers, and the rear a new lower fascia with quad-exit exhausts, albeit not in the same style as a full-fat M car nor that of the Alpina sub-brand. 21-inch wheels are standard for the X7, with the M60i getting 22s. However, 23-inch wheels are now available for the first time ever on a BMW.

Fascinatingly, even the tire pressure sensors have been overhauled and now boast a digital tire diagnosis feature as standard. This is the only of its kind in the segment and uses a cloud-based algorithm to detect pressure loss faster than the regular system can. In addition, this can warn drivers when tread wear exceeds a certain point, or when any other pertinent tire-related issues become evident.

14 exterior colors for the BMW X7 will be available, including the new Sparkling Copper Grey metallic finish seen in these images. M Marina Bay Blue metallic is available exclusively for the M60i model, but BMW Individual finishes should satisfy you. These include Ametrin (Red), Dravit Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Frozen Pure Grey, all of which except the matte-finish Frozen Pure Grey are metallic. You can, with a special request, select a hue from one of 40 BMW Individual colors that are 'off-menu'.

Also optional is a set of BMW M 50 Years emblems for the hood, tailgate, and hubcaps, while a panoramic glass roof is standard. Whatever color or trim you choose, a 'Welcome Scenario' activates when your key (which your iPhone can become) is within about four yards away from the car, starting with "an orchestrated lighting effect using the exterior and interior lights, including the light carpet." When the driver is roughly two yards away, the doors automatically unlock.

BMW has not yet revealed the detailed dimensions of the BMW X7, but we doubt that much has changed from the 2022 model. For reference, that vehicle measures 203.3 inches long with a wheelbase of 122.2 inches and a width figure of 78.7 inches. Height is 71.1 inches and the curb weight is between 5,397 pounds and 5,661 lbs. As for off-road-specific details, the 2022 X7 boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance and approach and departure angles of 23.1 and 20.5, respectively.

At launch, the BMW X7 has two engine options: xDrive40i and M60i. The former uses a familiar 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six B58 engine that produces 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque on its own, representing increases of 40 hp and 52 lb-ft, respectively. Thanks to a mild-hybrid system with a 48-volt battery, torque can temporarily be boosted to 398 lb-ft. With an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic modulating output to all four wheels, this model is expected to do 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Replacing the M50i variant is the new M60i. BMW is referring to this as a 'proper' M car, so it deserves a proper M powerplant. In this case, it's the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine internally known as the S63. It too has 48V mild-hybrid assistance and produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. As a result, 0-60 is dispatched in an estimated 4.5 seconds. The upcoming Alpina XB7 will up the ante to the tune of a Cayenne Turbo GT-rivaling 630 hp and 590 lb-ft. This model will do 60 mph in four seconds and keep accelerating to 180 mph.

A new Sprint function has been added to the X7. To activate it, the driver pulls back on the lefthand-side shift paddle for at least one second. This then drops the gearbox to the lowest usable gear, much like how Koenigsegg's Light Speed transmission works. Simultaneously, all the powertrain and chassis systems are switched to their sportiest settings and the hybrid system's electric boost function is activated.

Comfort should be exemplary too, as the X7 is available with Integral Active Steering (rear-axle steering) and active roll stabilization. In conjunction with the adaptive air suspension system, the body roll has been significantly reduced. If that's not enough, BMW has also added Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview, a system that uses camera-based anticipation software to scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension preemptively, just like a Rolls-Royce does. Standard on the M60i, these features are options on the lesser xDrive 40i.

The interior of the BMW X7 provides an entirely new experience thanks to BMW iDrive 8 with its 12.3-inch driver cluster that is seamlessly joined to a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The curved display is angled toward the driver and includes a 5G Personal eSIM as standard. With this, your phone is linked to your BMW ID, which means you can have one cellphone contract that works in all your Bimmers. The design of the cabin is changed elsewhere too, with a new center console panel housing new controls for the start/stop button, parking brake, redesigned gear selector, and iDrive controller, among other things. These controls can be finished in glass too. The air vents have been redesigned and the dash no longer features physical controls for the climate control, which sucks, but it does make the cabin look more lavish.

Another feature that achieves this effect is the novel ambient light bar running through the instrument panel. In the aforementioned Welcome Scenario, this light bar has a fancy sequence when you open the car, but when your phone is connected, the light bar gives a visual indication of incoming calls with a dynamic chaser light that pulses in tandem with contour lighting in the first row.

While we're on the subject of seats in the BMW X7, the front row is occupied by heated multi-contour comfort seats with full-electric adjustment including lumbar support and memory. Ventilation and massaging functions are optional, but we suspect most buyers will tick this box without question.

As for colors and finishes, a new vegan surface called Sensafin showcases "leather-like properties, exclusive three-dimensional quilting, and surface perforation." Available in Black, Silverstone, Cognac, and Coffee shades, this looks great. Optionally available on the base model and standard on the M60i is Extended Merino leather that can be ordered in Black, Ivory White, Tartufo and for the first time, Ivory White/Atlas Grey.

As with body dimensions, the BMW X7's cargo space specifications have not been revealed but will likely mirror those of the 2022 model. That means 12.8 cubic feet with all three rows in place. Should you not need all seven seats, the area behind the second row will offer 48.6 cubes. With all three rear rows folded, 90.4 cubic feet of volume is accessible. Cupholders in every row, center armrest storage, and a sizable glovebox can be expected too.