The BMW X7 likes to stand out in a crowd | Quick Drives

Seven-seater mid-size SUVs are a favorite in the Philippine market. You have the likes of the extremely popular Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Ford Everest, Nissan Terra, among others, for the pickup-based category, and for crossovers, you have the Mazda CX-8, Ford Explorer, and many more.

Prices for these usually range from Php 1.4-million to Php 3-million, but what if you wanted the same amount of space and had a lot more to spare, perhaps Php 10-million? Then the BMW X7 might fit the bill for you.

We recently got to experience the German luxury automaker’s largest SUV (or SAV in their language) offering during a two-day overnight drive with the brand’s Grand Klasse line (7 Series and X7) from their local headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan City, to Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan, and back. 

The first day saw me mostly enjoying backseat luxury in the 735i and i7, chauffeured by my Associate Editor Sam Surla (read his thoughts here) and Top Gear Philippines Staff Writer Billy Caluag, while the second day gave us a lot more height with the X7 xDrive 40d which I got the chance to drive the most.

Let’s dig straight into the X7, shall we?

At first glance, the X7 looks massive with its tall height and wide stance. This puts it somewhat in line with previously mentioned popular pickup platform SUVs, which we don’t mind, but this is obviously best compared with models such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and its Lexus GX twin, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Making it stand out on the road are the split headlight units, which were introduced in the last Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) update. Matched with the large kidney grille, it’s bound to catch attention from anyone, much more so when you use the highest suspension setting for the adjustable air suspension.

The interior is clearly previous-generation BMW, updated to match their current lineup. This is my preferred setup compared to their newer models, as it feels a tad more intuitive and features a more elegant look and more user-friendly layout without the weird aircon vent adjustments and BMW Interaction Bar, which I am not a fan of.

That is interesting despite all functions now being housed in the expansive curved display, which is composed of two screens: a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. 

Running on BMW Operating System 8, everything from vehicle settings to your phone, and other functions, such as climate controls. While confusing at times, the responsiveness of the screen and the proper arrangement of items make it easier to use. The Harman Kardon audio system could be better, but it works.

The rest of the interior is a very premium experience. The X7 offers seating for seven occupants (including the driver), and seats are wrapped in posh Merino leather upholstery, while open-pore Fineline wood trimmings add a lot of class.

Now onto the drive. Setting the X7 apart from the local BMW lineup is its powertrain. While most of the brand’s offerings are now gasoline-powered or electric, this one still gets an oil-burning turbodiesel under the hood.

It packs a 3.0-liter straight-six TwinPower Diesel engine (B57) paired to a 48V mild-hybrid system, which integrates an electric motor into the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, and produces 352 horsepower and 720Nm of torque.

Despite being a large SUV, the X7 does not feel its size. It’s surprisingly light on its feet with commendable power and torque delivery at the low end. You’ll be getting up to speed in no time.

What’s obvious is that the transmission is tuned for comfort and efficiency, with quick shifts programmed to get it up to a higher gear sooner, resulting in higher fuel economy numbers, averaging at around 14 km/l, which is a respectable figure considering the larger engine and heavier mass.

Steering might be a bit too light for some, but it does provide good feedback. Handling-wise, body roll is a bit more pronounced given the higher stance, but that’s no surprise. Lower the air suspension, and you’ll have less of that.

What I do find as a downside to driving this is its lack of any advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). In this day and age, even cars priced at below Php 1-million will have some of it equipped.

The final leg of the drive from Clark Freeport in Pampanga to BMW Greenhills meant enjoying being chauffeured for me, and this is where I was left asking for a bit more. With our unit being a seven-seater, the X7 might do better as a six-seater with second row captain chairs instead of a bench seat.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a very comfortable place to be in, but at its price, you’ll definitely want all the luxurious amenities you can get. The bench seats also lack a bit of thigh support and can use a little bit more recline, which will be very useful on longer drives.

On the bright side, you’ll appreciate the excellent NVH insulation, which you expect at its price point. Tire and wind noise are kept to a minimum, and you can barely hear the engine from inside the cabin. Match those with the retractable window shades, and you’ll easily be isolated from the outside world.

The suspension also does an excellent job of soaking up road imperfections, especially when on the normal or higher air suspension settings, while the lower settings keep it more planted when the driver takes corners, making it less nauseating for any passengers.

Eventually, I found myself waking up from a long slumber in the backseat, which I didn’t expect. This proves just how comfortable such an SUV could get, especially from BMW.

The BMW X7 xDrive 40d’s Php 10,590,000 (less with BMW Philippines’ various deals) retail price definitely shows. While it could use some additional refinements on the inside, it is in no doubt one to consider if you can afford it.

It’s practical, luxurious, comfortable, and most importantly, stands out in a sea of Toyota Land Cruisers and Alphards, Lexus LMs, Audi Q7s, and other more popular luxury models. And while you’ll prefer being chauffeured with all your money, the BMW X7 is one that won’t hurt to drive yourself in, too.

_{Photos by Julian Panlilio and Sam Surla}