BMW X7 review

There are three trims available for the X7: Excellence, M Sport and the performance-oriented M60i version. The first two trims are available with 3.0-litre 6cyl petrol or diesel power and the latter only comes with the 4.4-litre V8 petrol. 

The diesel Excellence kicks off the range at £88,145 (it’s around £700 more for the petrol) and the M Sport is £3k more for both engines. Then there’s a bit of a jump to the M60i at £112,915.

What are the trims like? 

The Excellence trim comes with 21in wheels as standard, plus acoustic glass, front heated seats, panoramic sunroof, air suspension, LED lights front and rear, an electronic tailgate, Harman Kardon surround sound system and a 14.9in touchscreen infotainment setup that's loaded with fancy tech.

Upgrade to M Sport and you get fancier 21in alloys, M Sport bodykit, four-zone aircon, a sportier auto gearbox and self-parking tech. The top-spec M60i comes with 22in wheels, more aggressive styling, interior M-themed tweaks, M Sport differential and exhaust system, rear steering, plus upgraded suspension and transmission. 

Which one should I go for? 

If we were being sensible, we would probably go for the entry diesel in Excellence trim: it’s already well equipped and offers the most frugal way to get the X7 around the place (if that really makes a difference at this end of the market).

If you want to posh up the car there’s a humongous options list. You want a six-seat executive setup? That’s £600. A tow bar is £1,200, sun protection glass will set you back £495. The ‘executive suspension’ from the M60i is a £3k option if you want it, with fancy active roll stabilisation.

A Bowers and Wilkins sound system is £5k, it’s £4k for the Comfort Plus Pack with electronic rear window blinds, massage front seats and heated/cooled cupholders up front. The sky’s the limit with the X7, you just might need to be disciplined in reining it in a touch.

I want one as a company car!

Ah. All X7s fall into the 37 per cent BIK rate for company cars (there’s no PHEV option yet) and the highest group for insurance, 50.