2024 BMW X7 M60i Review – Three Rows, Six Figures, Infinite Comfort

Twenty feet of driving and one parking lot exit is all it took. Behind the wheel of the 2024 BMW X7 M60i for the first time, I immediately felt something was different. I just drove over a 2-inch curbed exit from the parking lot onto the road and I felt…nothing. No jostling, no bucking, no sensation at all. It was as if that obstacle didn’t exist as the big BMW floated right over it. It was there I discovered the BMW X7 is something special when it comes to comfort.

The BMW X7 is a relatively new member of the brand’s SUV portfolio. At 203.6-inches (5,181 mm) long, it’s the manufacturer’s three-row option for those who need a bit more space.

Last year the big SUV received a significant refresh that sees BMW’s new split level headlight fascia grafted on. Whether a fan of the look or not, there’s no denying the X7 looks unique in the segment and grabs attention, especially with the upgraded crystal headlights. Furthering the visual impact is an illuminated kidney grille, the M60i aerodynamic kit, and some upgraded M Sport details.

Finished in Marina Bay Blue Metallic, our tested would have arrived on jet black 22-inch alloy wheels, but being December up north, a set of 21-inch black wheels with winter tires were installed instead. I’ll have more on that later.

Inside, seven seats come standard, but for optimal comfort and luxury, there is a six-seat option. When equipped to seat six, the first and second row offer fully power seats that are heated and ventilated. It’s possible to have all four places include a massage function as well.

To ensure minimal effort is required to achieve maximum comfort, virtually everything inside is power operated or in some cases, gesture control operated. The X7 includes soft-close doors, and the driver has door mounted controls for all powered sunshades, as well as a button that moves both the front passenger and second row right-hand seat forward to assist third row passenger when entering or exiting. Second row passengers aren’t left out of the power game, as both include controls for either rear door sunshade, as well as the two panoramic moonroof shades.

On the heating and cooling front, the X7 comes standard with a four-zone climate control but can be upgraded to a five-zone climate control like in my tester. The Driver also gets heated armrests, a heated steering wheel, and the front cup holders have been optioned with the heating and cooling functions.

Without bogging down too deep into specifications, the first two rows have ample headroom and leg for most adults. The seats are incredibly comfortable and can be adjusted in so many ways, it’s hard not to find an optimal setting. The third row is tighter, with 36.6-inches (930 mm) of headroom and 33.3-inches (846 mm). Although taller folks will not fit back there, it’s still a decent space for children and younger teens.

Finishing off the topic of capacity, the X7 holds 12.8 cu ft (362 L) of cargo behind the third row. Fold down the second row and it increases to 48.6 cu ft (1,376 L), with 90.4 cu ft (2,560 L) available behind the first row. A nice touch is the powered two-piece lift gate. The top portion of the lift gate rises like a conventional door. But there is also a secondary drop-down door. It’s handy for securing items that might try to drop out of the SUV when unloading the rear.

Every X7 comes with Merino Leather and my tester is finished in Ivory White with Atlas Grey accents. The design of the interior, complete with Fineline black wood trim, optional M sport steering wheel, upgraded Nappa leather dashboard, and optional Anthracite Alcantara headliner exude luxury. Everyone who stepped inside the X7 were immediately impressed by the quality of materials, level of detail, and style.

One a technology front, the X7 M60i includes wireless Apple CarPaly and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, BMW ConnectedDrive Services, a color head-up display, and a drive recorder. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch information center with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen to the right. Both operate the latest version of BMW’s iDrive 8 software. Also included in my tester is the optional upgraded Bowers & Wilkens Diamond surround sound system.

Currently, the BMW X7 is available in three trim levels, with the M60i being the middle child. Under the hood resides a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 with a 48V mild hybrid. Output is listed a 523 horsepower and 553 pound feet of torque. Remember, this is only the mid-grade X7, there's still the Alpina XB7 with a staggering 631 hp.

But that seems like a bit of overkill. Heck, even the X7 M60i is overkill. The turbo V8 makes so much power, it can propel the portly 5,895-pound (2,675-kilogram) SUV from 0-60 mph in a very conservatively claimed 4.5 seconds (0-100 km/h 4.7 seconds). Behind the wheel, it feels much faster. It’s an odd sensation as this plush, mammoth SUV suddenly roars to life and hurtles toward the horizon.

The once docile, cozy first-class lounge on wheels is suddenly snarling, popping, and crackling out of the optional M sport exhaust. In Sport mode, down shifting the 8-speed automatic transmission evokes M-car sensations.

Of course, weight and power are never the friends of fuel economy and the 2024 BMW X7 M60i is thirsty. Officially it is rated at 16 mpg (14.3 L/100 km) in the city and 21 mpg (11.1 L/100 km) on the highway. Consistently play with the M Sport exhaust symphony and expect figures to drop even further.

With nearly 6,000 lbs of mass being launched at such velocities, it’s important the rest of the vehicle’s mechanics are just as robust. The M Sport brakes feature massive rotors at all four corners measuring over 15-inches a piece. They provide sure-footed braking force and reign in speed drama free.

The X7 M60i also gets a M specific suspension set up, M sport differential, and rear axle steering. Despite the sporty pretensions of that hardware, this vehicle is not about to tear up a switch-back mountain road. Toss the big BMW into a corner at speed and the weight is immediately felt as the body rolls into the turn. It’s more responsive than plenty of large SUVs on the market, but don’t expect X5/X6 levels of composure. Granted, part of the problem is the standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires were swapped out for 285/45R21 winter performance tires all around. But even with the stock rubber, despite a large increase in mechanically grip, I wouldn’t expect the M60i to be overly agile on its feet.

What the SUV does excel at is comfort. Besides all the creature comforts found inside, it’s the adjustable height air suspension that makes the X7 stand out. So good is it at isolating medium bumps in the road that sometimes they aren’t even felt. Larger bumps and cracked pavement are felt to a degree inside, but every once and awhile my eyes can’t believe what I saw on the road yet didn’t feel inside.

Those that plan to do SUV things with the X7 should appreciate the 7,500 lbs (3,500 kg) towing capacity when properly equipped. It also has a standard 8.7-inches (221 mm) of ground clearance, which is more than most SUVs. That stated, with the type if tires that come standard on the vehicle, I doubt it’ll do to well on dirt trails.

Like most of the finer things in life, all the luxury and comfort of the X7 comes at a cost. In the United States, the X7 M60i starts at a price of $109,695 (all prices include destination charges). For Canadian buyers, it starts at $134,995.

Added to our Canadian test vehicle was the Premium and M Sport Pro packages as well as various stand-alone options mentioned above. In total, the asking price lists at $159,895 Canadian. For American consumers, an equivalently equipped X7 M60i would include the Executive package, Climate Control package, M Sport Professional package, and various stand-alone options. This would put pricing around $123,345.

Regardless of country, the X7 M60i comes loaded with all the modern active safety systems one would expect, plus a few extras like adaptive brake lights, and programmable LED daytime running lights.

It’s hard to find fault with the 2024 BMW X7 M60i. The biggest detriment may be the new front-end styling, but that’s all subjective to individual taste. Even the six-figure price tag and fuel consumption figures are well within segment standards.

The vehicle does all the typical three-row SUV things well, like hauling passengers, cargo, and trailers. But unlike a lot of three-row SUVs, it does it with executive-limo-levels of luxury and sports sedan power. Still, it’s the comfort that really sticks out. For posh, comfortable, long-distance travel, this would be near the top of my list.

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