2020 BMW X7 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

As a three-row SUV, the 2020 BMW X7 offers much more than a spacious cabin. It's packed with high-end features and quality materials, and it has some strong choices when it comes to the powertrain. The X7 has been built with luxury in mind, and people can feel pampered and privileged as they get to ride around town in this full-size SUV. Three trims - the X7 xDrive50i, the X7 xDrive40i, and the X7 M50i - provide a range of options to appeal to customers in the luxury market.

What's New for 2020?

The main upgrade is that there's now an option to drive a 2020 BMW X7 that has more than 500 horsepower. The M50i trim comes with an astounding 523-horsepower engine, which has more power than most people would ever dream of having in their vehicles.

Minor changes in the X7 are related to small amenities, which could actually make a big difference in overall convenience and luxury. For instance, the top trims now have soft-close doors and the ability to remotely start their engines. These features definitely add to the overall impressiveness of the SUV.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 BMW X7 – The Pros

1. Quick Acceleration

Powered by at least 335 horsepower, the 2020 BMW X7 can pick up speed very quickly. Going from zero to 60 miles per hour can take less than six seconds. Reaching the 60 mph mark could take as little as four and a half seconds in the M50i trim.

Most people might not need to get to such high speeds in such a short amount of time, but knowing that this ability exists can give people extra confidence. It also adds to the "fun" factor of the X7, as it's a great feeling to hit the gas pedal and feel the engine roar into action.

2. Three Strong Engines

The X7 xDrive40i comes with a six cylinder engine. The xDrive 50i is upgraded to run on a V8, which has 456 horsepower in comparison with the XDrive40i's 335 horsepower. If anyone still wants something more capable, there's the M50i trim, which also runs on a V8. This V8 can generate 523 horsepower.

All engines come with all-wheel drive so that drivers can conquer a variety of terrain and feel comfortable venturing out even in rough conditions. The engines are used in conjunction with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission.

3. Touchscreen is Easy to Read

Measuring 12.3 inches, the touchscreen is sizable and feels appropriate in the large X7 SUV. It has vivid colors along with clear and visible text. The screen is responsive to gentle touches, and the system can accept a variety of natural voice commands. Those who prefer using a physical knob will appreciate that the BMW has an iDrive touchpad controller.

4. Driver-Assist Features are Standard

The safety package on the 2020 BMW X7 is generous. It comes with a rearview camera that makes it easier to see beyond the large body of the SUV, and it has adaptive headlights that can automatically get brighter or dimmer depending on how much external light is detected.

Further, all of the X7s are built with the Active Driving Assistant system. This system gives the BMW the ability to warn drivers about other vehicles in their blind spot, when they're about to veer out of their lanes, when they're in reverse and there is rear cross traffic, and when a frontal collision seems imminent. As necessary, automatic emergency braking can engage to prevent accidents or lessen the impact.

5. Advanced Technology

Navigation is standard on the 2020 BMW X7. Since the fastest way between two points isn't always a straight path, it can be helpful to have this feature given today's unpredictable traffic in many areas. In addition to navigation, the X7 has standard Apple CarPlay, HD radio, and satellite radio. The X7 can act as a Wi-Fi hot spot, and having a wireless charging pad can be very convenient, eliminating the need to plug in a device every time one enters the vehicle.

6. Many Storage Opportunities

The dedicated storage area behind the third row of seating is 12.8 cubic feet. This provides a nice amount of space for most everyday needs. When the third row is folded down, there is 48.6 cubic feet. Folding down both the second and third rows exposes 90.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

Making it more convenient to access the back of the X7 is a hands-free power liftgate and a power-operated third row. Someone just has to kick under the sensor in the back of the BMW in order to open up the lift gate, and with the push of a button, the third row will start folding itself down.

7. Versatile Cabin

Depending on how many people need to be accommodated, the 2020 BMW X7 can come as either a six- or seven-passenger vehicle. The standard configuration is to have a bench seat in the middle row and two seats in the third row. An alternative is to get captain's chairs in the second row, which can make it easier to get in and out of the back row.

8. Luxury Seats

On the X7 xDrive40i, the seats are covered in a synthetic leather upholstery, and the heated front seats can be power-adjusted in 16 ways. These adjustments include those related to lumbar support and side bolsters. The driver's seat has a memory function so it can slip into its proper position. This can be appreciated when the primary driver sits down after a different person has taken the BMW for a spin.

On the X7 xDrive50i, the seats are upgraded to having 20-way power-adjustment, and the front passenger also gets a memory system on his or her seat. Vernasca leather is standard on this trim, and there is the option to get Merino leather, which comes in eight different colors.

An additional upgrade on any trim is the luxury seat package. It comes with front seats that are ventilated and offer eight different massage programs. There's no doubt that it would be quite a treat to drive around town while getting a massage.

9. Everyone Can Stay Comfortable

The 2020 BMW X7 comes with a quad-zone climate control system. The driver and front passenger, in addition to the people sitting on either side of the second row, can each choose their own preferred temperature.

An upgrade to this advanced climate control system is available if anyone wants to give their passengers in the third row some control over the temperature, just like almost everyone else in the cabin has. A five-zone automatic climate system can be taken advantage of by those who really appreciate the finer things. Note that it's part of the Cold Weather Package, which comes with heated rear seats, front armrests with heating elements, and a heated steering wheel as well.

10. Can Park Itself

Built with parking sensors on the front and rear, the X7 can help drivers out when they're pulling into parking spaces. If anyone has had trouble with parking, he or she might want to opt for the surround-view parking system that provides a 360-degree perspective on the vehicle. There is even the opportunity to get a hands-free parallel parking assist system that can handle all of the steering during a tricky maneuver.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 BMW X7 – The Cons

1. Fuel Efficiency is Less Than Ideal

BMW doesn't really boast about the gas mileage in the X7, and for good reason. The xDrive40i manages to earn 20 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The xDrive50i and M50i only get an estimated 15/21 (city/highway) mpg. Drivers should be ready to take a hit each time they have to fill up, which could be fairly frequently.

2. Be Prepared For a Big Price Tag

The 2020 BMW X7 starts out in the $70,000s. If one wants to add on a few upgrades to that model, the price could jump closer to $80,000. Note that this is just for the base model. The higher trims, which come with more capable engines, are significantly more expensive. They have price tags that jump over the $90,000 mark. With the M50i, it wouldn't take much to push the cost to over $100,000.

3. Small Third Row

In either of the first two rows in the X7, people can feel comfortable and can stretch their legs a bit. This isn't the case in the third row, which only has 33.3 inches of leg room. While it is small, it's still an improvement over smaller SUVs that still have three rows; these vehicles can't realistically accommodate large adults in the third row like the X7 can.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

When compared with the Lincoln Navigator and Mercedes-Benz GLS, the BMW X7 stands out in performance. While it's lower two trims can't match the power that the Navigator has, the M50i trim does much better in this department. Likewise, the GLS has a higher trim that runs on an enhanced engine, but it doesn't quite match what the M50i has to offer. Another reason that the X7 would be a better choice over the GLS is that it has a larger cargo capacity when both back rows are lowered.

Conclusion

The 2020 BMW X7 is the largest SUV that the company makes, and it's unique because it has three rows of seating. This is a main reason why many customers will be looking at the X7, which can run on any one of three capable engines. The X7 handles itself well, has ample cargo space, and features many luxurious interior details. Combine those things with a sleek exterior, and what results is a complete package.