2021 BMW X7

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Rating8.0

Ranked #8 in 

SUV
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$74,900 - $99,800
Starting Price 
John Bedrow's image
John Bedrow 

Automotive Journalist,

Updated on August 8, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Brawny engine offers smooth performance

Expensive when compared to its rivals

Alpina XB7 is new to the lineup

Comfortable ride quality

Climate controls can be confusing to use

The xDrive50i and optional Off-Road package are no longer available

Premium and spacious interiors

Android Auto compatibility is now offered

New Alpina XB7 is lightning-quick

The base xDrive40i gets mild-hybrid technology

Specs & Features

$74,900

price

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

332 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The biggest change for the 2021 BMW X7 includes the omission of the xDrive 50i model from the lineup. Instead, the X7 lineup now offers a new Alpina XB7 at the top with the xDrive 40i and the M50i continuing from the previous model years. The base xDrive 40i powertrain also gets a mild-hybrid setup. While the BMW X7 finally gets Android Auto compatibility, the Off-Road package is no longer available. 

 

 

2021 BMW X7 Buying Advice

Launched back in 2019, the X7 2021 is just 2 years into the market and gets the first set of updates this year. While the additional features might be some that most of us waiting for, we would suggest opting for a used BMW X7 over the 2021 X7. This would not only save you money in terms of its depreciation, but it also gives you the chance to get a hold of the more powerful drivetrain available in the 2020 model year X7.

The BMW X7 2021 being a flagship offering from BMW, it offers almost all the tech and creature comforts that one might expect from a luxury full-size SUV. With its bold styling, agile handling, and spacious cabin, the X 7 2021 gives tough competition to many of its rivals, including the luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, the potent Land Rover Discovery, the safe and efficient Volvo XC90, and the practical yet affordable Audi Q7.

2021 BMW X7 for sale

Prices for the BMW X7 price 2021 start at an MSRP of $75,895 which includes the $1,000 price jump over the previous model year. BMW offers lease deals for X7 starting at $1,204/month for a period of 36 months and 12,000 miles of annual mileage limit, with just $2,500 required as a down payment. Finance offers for the BMW X7 begin at a monthly payment of $1,351 at an APR of 3.99% for a 60-month duration and require the same $2,500 down payment. 

Buying Advice

Despite our affection for power and the twin-turbo V-8's blistering acceleration, we'd suggest the entry-level X7 xDrive40i. It combines standard all-wheel drive and its turbocharged six-cylinder engine is plenty fast. It already has a host of beneficial standard features.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The BMW X7 2021 certainly ticks most of the boxes for a luxury family SUV buyer. Along with the cutting-edge technology on offer, the X7 also gets plenty of safety features, has a maximum of 90.4 cu-ft of trunk space, and yet offers spacious quarters for all the passengers. That said, the 2021 BMW X7 MSRP is $75,895 including the $995 destination fee which is on the higher side as per the segment standards. 

Also, spending about $101,130 for the cost of ownership for 5 years might not sit well with many buyers as the American counterparts like the Cadillac Escalade cost much less to own and offers superior performance. That said, the X7 2021 impresses everyone with a reliability rating of 81/100 by J.D. Power, which puts it ahead of most of its rivals in the segment. 

Buying Advice

Despite our affection for power and the twin-turbo V-8's blistering acceleration, we'd suggest the entry-level 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i. It combines standard all-wheel drive and its turbocharged six-cylinder engine is plenty fast. It already has a host of beneficial standard features at $75,895 and opting for the Driver Assistance Professional package and the $1,600 Luxury Seating package shall suffice almost all the needs of the buyers. 

Features
8.5/10

The 2021 BMW X7 is available for sale in two trims: the xDrive40i which comes with a V6 mild-hybrid powertrain, and the M50i, powered by a brawny V8 engine. Every engine gets 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive standard. The MSRP of the 2021 BMW X7 starts at $75,895 for the xDrive40i trim, while the 2021 BMW X7 M50i model begins at $100,795. 

BMW X7 2021 interior comes packed with creature comforts even in its base trim which also includes wood interior trim. Features like self-leveling air-ride suspension, adaptive LED headlights, power dual-section tailgate, power panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, heated front seats/steering wheel/armrests, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, all come standard. 

Trims

xDrive 40i

MSRP

$75,895

Key Features

Synthetic leather upholstery

Heated and 16-way power-adjustable front seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking

Quad-zone automatic climate control

Panoramic moonroof & Power liftgate

Air suspension

21-inch alloy wheels

While blind-spot monitor & lane departure warning are standard, one has to opt for the $,1700 Driving Assistance Professional package to avail adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, and collision detection functions. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats and five-zone climate control for $1,100 while the 2021 BMW X7 M Sport package costs a whopping $4,350. There are plenty of other optional features and packages on offer for buyers to choose from. 

Fuel Economy
7.9/10

The base trim of the 2021 BMW X7 MPG rating are pretty good as per the segment standards at 19 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highways, and an overall 21 MPG combined, as per the EPA. The BMW X7 also employs a pretty sizable fuel tank capacity of 21.9 gallons, which is sufficient to offer a maximum of 526 miles of driving range while cruising on the highways. 

Model

2021 BMW X7

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

2021 Land Rover Discovery

2021 Audi Q7

MPG (City)

19

18

18

18

MPG (Highway)

24

24

24

23

MPG (Combined)

21

20

21

20

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

21.9

23.8

23.5

22.5

Range (City/Highway/Combined) (miles)

416/526/460

428/571/476

423/564/494

405/518/450

With the integration of a high-performance engine and a transmission system, the X 7 2021 results very efficiently on the parameters of fuel economy as compared to most of its competitors within the same segment. While the Land Rover Discovery returns almost similar fuel economy figures, the larger gas tank capacity helps it offer a better range. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 also employs a large gas tank but has a marginally lower fuel efficiency similar to the Audi Q7. 

Interior
7.9/10

Within a premium luxury SUV, lies the elegant, world-class interiors. The BMW X7 2021 interior has a lot of upgrades with its interior arrangements. You now get a heated steering wheel, armrests, and front seats as standard. The X7 will be coming with a head-up display, rear window shades, soft-door closing, and gesture control as new optional features. The 2021 BMW X7 interior is equipped with a variety of colors and finishing, giving us alternatives for leather, wood, and aluminum. The standard cabin includes a panoramic sunroof with extended ambient lighting and a five-zone climate control feature.

The seats of the 2021 X7 come with 16-way power adjustments as a standard in the front row, thereby providing the utmost comfort and support to the driver and the front passenger. Every X7 is loaded with a fully digital gauge cluster and a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that rules the dashboard. Its infotainment system can also be managed by a large rotary dial on the center console as well as by gesture commands that are also gimmicky than helpful. The standard 12.8 cu-ft of trunk capacity of the BMW X7 can be extended to a maximum of 90.4 cu-ft.

Model

2021 BMW X7

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

2021 Land Rover Discovery

2021 Audi Q7

Seating Capacity

7

7

7

7

First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)

41.9/60.0/39.8

39.4/59.3/40.3

39.4/60.4/39.1 39.9/59.5/41.7

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)

39.9/58.1/37.6

40.2/58.5/41.9

39.0/59.5/37.4 38.8/58.5/38.8

Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)

36.6/47.9/33.3

38.9/50.3/34.6

37.9/47.1/33.5 35.9/49.4/29.2
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) 12.8 17.4 9.1 14.2

The third row has a seating capacity of two passengers and lacks slightly in terms of amenities & space as compared to the other rows. However, all three rows come with dynamic movements making it easy for the passengers to adjust equally. The Land Rover offers pretty identical passenger space as the X7 2021 but struggles in terms of its luggage carrying capacity. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 offers the best passenger and trunk space balance with no compromise in either of them. The Audi Q7 on the other hand feels more practical for carrying luggage as the third row is of barely any use. 

Key Interior Features

  • 20-way power Multi-contour front sport seats including standard 16-way power seat functions
  • Automatic Panoramic moonroof
  • Automatic 4-zone climate control
  • 16-speaker Harman Kardon Stereos and optional 20-Speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround-sound system
  • Gesture control system
  • Rear-seat entertainment screens
  • Heated and cooled cup holders
  • The wireless smartphone charging pad
  • 3-inch iDrive infotainment system
  • Wi-Fi hotspot and Bluetooth connectivity

Exterior
7.9/10

The exterior design of the 2021 BMW X7 adopted the current design language of BMW and now sports one of the largest kidney grilles on the planet. The front hang comes with an extensively large bumper that is oriented with LED headlights. The design elements of the X7 2021 impressively contribute to defining the car's qualities as an imposing SUV with plenty of road presence on the road.

While the large dimensions help open up plenty of interior space, the massive 21-inch wheels and 8.7-inch of ground clearance ensure light off-roading would not be an issue as well. There are 13 different paint color options available with the 2021 BMW X7 for sale while optional features like aluminum running boards, extended Shadowline trim, and larger 22-inch wheels with performance tires are also available. 

Model

2021 BMW X7

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

2021 Land Rover Discovery

2021 Audi Q7

Curb Weight (lbs)

5,370

5,412

5,160 4,971

Length (in.)

203.3

205.0

195.1 199.3

Width (in.)

78.7

77.0

78.7 77.6

Height (in.)

71.1

71.8

73.0 68.5

Ground Clearance (in.)

8.7

7.9

8.3 8.0

Wheelbase (in.)

122.2

123.4

115.0 117.9

In comparison, The Mercedes is the largest SUV in this comparison and hence also weighs the most. That said, if you aren't a fan of the new BMW design language, we think it is the Land Rover Discovery that would attract the most eyeballs on the streets. The Audi Q7 is larger in terms of dimensions than the Discovery but it still weighs considerably less. This helps the Q7 in offering the added performance edge over other SUVs in the segment. 

Key Exterior Features

 The key highlight of the 2021 BMW X7 exterior has been listed below:

  • 21 light alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires
  • Power-folding, heated side mirrors
  • Satin Aluminum roof rails
  • Satin Aluminum exterior trim
  • Roof spoiler with center brake light
  • Chrome exhaust tips
  • Adaptive LED headlights
  • Quad exhaust tips

Safety
8.0/10

The BMW X7 2021 is not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS for obvious reasons, but you can rest assured as it comes with some of the state of the art safety features. Therefore, the 2021 BMW X7 safety ratings are not available. Every model of the 2021 X7 is also equipped with plenty of safety aids, there is even more driver-assistance technology on offer. That said, considering the higher price tag of the BMW X7, we would expect the driver safety aids to be standard and not optional. Key safety features include:

  • Adaptive LED Lights
  • Low-speed emergency braking
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Blind-spot detection
  • Warning plus rear cross-traffic alert
  • Rear-view camera
  • Park Distance Control, front, and rear
  • BMW Assist eCall

Competition
8.0/10

2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450

The biggest rival to the X7 BMW 2021 is the GLS 450. Carrying a similar price tag, the Mercedes also offers similar levels of creature comforts and technology. While the BMW has a more striking exterior and interior design, the Mercedes offers better acceleration & towing performance, better range, and a more spacious cabin for both the passengers & their luggage. The more standard safety features on the Mercedes GLS make it the winner in this comparison. 

2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery although generates more power, it is slower off the mark. That said, the 4WD from Land Rover is capable of tackling terrain easily without compromising on fuel efficiency as compared to the BMW X7 and also has a class-leading towing capacity. Both offer similar passenger space, but BMW takes the lead in terms of cargo capacity and the luxury on offer. The better reliability and more available safety features make the BMW X7 price 2021 feel worth the additional investment. 

2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is the most affordable SUV in the segment and yet it leads the pack in terms of acceleration performance. It has comfortable ride quality and gets plenty of creature comforts as standard. Audi also offers superior towing prowess and has plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. While the third row is cramped and the fuel economy figures are lower as compared to the X7 BMW 2021, the range is on par. There's no doubt that the 2021 Q7 offers much more value for money for its buyers. 

Final Verdict

The X7 BMW 2021 certainly brings an adrenaline rush to automobile enthusiasts. The car functions exceptionally well in terms of performance, luxury, and comfort, along with its impressive ride and handling capabilities. The fuel economy is quite efficient with the series of key features that it provides within different trim levels. If the high asking price, high cost of ownership, and low towing capacity does not bother you, the X7 will end up stealing your heart. 

Trims

    40i
    $74,900 onwards
    • 1St and 2nd Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Keyfob (all doors) Remote keyless entry
    • Rear air conditioning, with separate controls
    M50i
    $99,800 onwards
    • Engine: 4.4L 8cyl AWD 8AM
    • Horsepower: 523 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 553 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 152 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 17 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$74,900- $99,800

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.98

Horsepower

523 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

553 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$68,200- $77,850

Gasoline

7.21

335 hp @ 5700 rpm

369 lb.-ft. @ 1370 rpm

5

Read Review

$76,195- $103,595

Gasoline

7.75

420 hp @ 5600 rpm

460 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,625- $77,425

Gasoline

7.67

375 hp @ 5000 rpm

470 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

5

Read Review

$51,570- $88,985

Gasoline

7.89

400 hp @ 5500 rpm

415 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,000- $63,750

Gasoline

7.88

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

7

Read Review

$76,705- $101,855

Gasoline

7.76

450 hp @ 5500 rpm

510 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

7

Read Review

$92,000- $211,000

Gasoline

8.12

355 hp @ 5500 rpm

365 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$86,930- $91,930

Gasoline

6.49

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

403 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

5

Read Review

$335,000- $388,000

Gasoline

9.07

571 hp @ 5000 rpm

627 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2021 BMW X7

    Ranked #6

    5.8 sec14.2 sec155 mph
    5 sec13.5 sec-
    5 sec--
    5.1 sec13.7 sec-
    2021 Audi Q8

    Ranked #3

    5.3 sec14.0 sec130 mph
    5.5 sec13.3 sec152 mph

    2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2021 BMW X7

      Ranked #2

      19 mpg24 mpg21 mpg21.9 gal.416.1/525.6 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.394.8/564 mi.
      18 mpg26 mpg21 mpg20.2 gal.363.6/525.2 mi.
      20 mpg24 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.- -
      2021 Audi Q8

      Ranked #3

      18 mpg23 mpg20 mpg22.5 gal.405/517.5 mi.
      18 mpg23 mpg20 mpg27.5 gal.495/632.5 mi.

      2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2021 BMW X7

        Ranked #7

        203.3 in.78.7 in.71.1 in.8.7 in.122.2 in.

        2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

        Ranked #1

        227 in.81.1 in.76.4 in.8 in.134.1 in.

        2021 Ford Expedition MAX

        Ranked #2

        221.9 in.93.4 in.76.4 in.9.8 in.131.6 in.
        211.9 in.81.1 in.76.7 in.8 in.120.9 in.
        210.2 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.2 in.121.1 in.
        210 in.79 in.72 in.-130 in.

        2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2021 BMW X7

          Ranked #1

          47.2 cu.ft.97.3 cu.ft.90.4 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.
          57.5 cu.ft.106.1 cu.ft.104.6 cu.ft.
          18.3 cu.ft.144.7 cu.ft.77.7 cu.ft.
          2021 Audi Q8

          Ranked #5

          30.5 cu.ft.125.3 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.
          25.5 cu.ft.85 cu.ft.121 cu.ft.

          2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2021 BMW X7

            Ranked #1

            89.7 cu.ft.47.2 cu.ft.90.4 cu.ft.-
            2021 Audi Q8

            Ranked #2

            60.7 cu.ft.30.5 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.76 ft.
            12.3 cu.ft.53.7 cu.ft.81.3 cu.ft.-
            13.8 cu.ft.19.3 cu.ft.103.3 cu.ft.79 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.57.5 cu.ft.104.6 cu.ft.-
            12.4 cu.ft.16.6 cu.ft.95.1 cu.ft.-

            2021 BMW X7 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2021 BMW X7

              Ranked #7

              7500 lbs.1208 lbs.5370 lbs.
              9300 lbs.1757 lbs.5443 lbs.
              8600 lbs.1620 lbs.5673 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1622 lbs.5678 lbs.
              8200 lbs.1636 lbs.5356 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1713 lbs.4974 lbs.

              2021 BMW X7 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              9

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              25

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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