Driven: We spend time with BMW’s refreshed X7 M60i
By Khulekani On Wheels / on December 29th, 2023 / in Car Reviews, featured
By Sala Masindane
It seems like a lifetime ago when the BMW X7 became available on the list of cars the German manufacturer offered. This came as a shock, as BMW was infamous for sedans, hot hatches, and average-sized SUVs. However, the X7 has been successful since. Now that it has gone through a mid-cycle update and we spent some time with the large SUV to see if the winning streak continues to make this beast a runaway success.
Bold exterior
The luxurious SUV is distinguishable from the pre-facelift model by split headlights and a new rear 3D graphic for the light clusters. These features are seen in the latest 7-series. Our test unit stands out, thanks to the M Double-stemmed kidney grille with an M badge, illuminated ‘Iconic Glow,’ and M Sport exhaust system, just to mention a few. The exterior updates have not compromised the presence of the luxury SUV. It exudes all the confidence and now resembles the 7-series.
Luxurious interior
The luxury theme of the exterior carries through to the interior, which offers sufficient space for all seven passengers. Inside, you are met with a premium cabin that has a seven-seat capacity. The facelift integrates a new 12.3-inch dial display and a 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen with a Bowers & Wilkins sound system. It is easy to use and works well with the rotary iDrive controller or gesture control. Other comfort features include a panoramic sunroof (3rd row passengers get their own sunroof too), 5-zone climate control, USB ports for all passengers.
Performance
Powering the X7 M60i is a twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 that produces outputs of 390 kW and 750 Nm of torque. The 0-100km/h sprint is a respectable 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h and a claimed combined fuel consumption of 12.2l/100km. The twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine manages to brush aside the size and weight of the X7 as it accelerates with relative ease. It is also comfortable on the daily commute or on the open road.
Final word
The BMW X7 manages to blend luxury, performance, and overall usability without compromising on any of those. Yes, there are competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS or the Range Rover Autobiography, but those seem to fall behind the X7. We’ve maintained that the X7 is probably BMW’s best-kept secret that almost makes the 7-series look normal. If the budget permits, we would suggest that you definitely look into the large SUV.
The BMW X7 M60i is priced from R2,426,574 and includes a 5-year/100,000km Motorplan.