Review: BMW X7 40d
The BMW X7 sits right at the top of BMW’s SUV lineup. And it knows it. It’s the kind of machine you spot in the rear-view mirror and instantly know something substantial is behind you. In 40d guise, it blends efficiency, diesel torque, and modern luxury in a way that makes it both a family-hauler and a long-distance tourer. For those who think of BMW only as a driver’s brand, the X7 shows Munich can do big, plush, and commanding just as well.
Price & Key Specs
Price: From around $174,900 plus on-roads
Engine: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel, 48V mild-hybrid
Power/Torque: 259kW / 720Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, xDrive AWD
0–100km/h: 5.9 seconds
Fuel Use: ~8.2L/100km
Towing Capacity: 3,500kg braked
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km
Design
The X7 isn’t subtle. Its sheer size, massive kidney grille, split headlights, and crisp body lines make sure it dominates any driveway. The M Sport package sharpens things up with larger wheels, sportier bumpers, and shadowline trims. But even in standard form, this is a rolling statement of success. BMW has softened some of the facelift criticism with sleeker lighting signatures, giving the X7 a fresher, more modern edge.
Interior & Practical Features
Step inside and the X7 doesn’t just feel premium — it feels indulgent. The curved display (12.3-inch driver + 14.9-inch infotainment) wraps around you (with iDrive 8.5 running the show), the ambient lighting subtly sets the mood, and the quilted leather seats invite you to sink in and stay awhile. There’s a hushed quiet once the doors close, as though the outside world gets left behind. Even on coarse roads, the insulation is so good you end up whispering instead of raising your voice.
The seats are wide, supportive, and endlessly adjustable, giving you the sensation of sitting in a private jet more than a family SUV. Row two is limousine-like, with space to stretch, and even row three feels like it was designed for adults rather than afterthought passengers. The 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system floods the cabin with crisp, concert-hall clarity — perfect for when you’re eating up kilometres on a long haul with multiple USB-C ports making it as tech-laden as any luxury lounge.
Quality is, as expected, impeccable: soft-touch leather, crafted trims, and ambient lighting everywhere. Seating for seven comes standard, with heated and ventilated seats available in all rows depending on spec. Space is generous in every direction, even for adults in the third row. Boot space sits at 750L (five seats up), expandable to over 2,000L.
Accessing the third row in the X7 isn’t the quickest process. The electrically sliding second-row seats take their time, and the gap they leave is a little tighter than you’d hope. In practice, kids often find it easier to just slip through the centre of the captain’s chairs.
Once you’re back there, though, it’s clear BMW hasn’t treated the third row as an afterthought. The seats are genuinely usable for everyday journeys, offering good comfort, their own air vents, cupholders, and even extra charging points — perfect for keeping devices alive on family road trips. Thanks to the X7’s large glasshouse, visibility remains excellent, so it doesn’t feel like you’re stuffed into a dark corner.
Another clever touch is the split tailgate. It takes a couple of extra seconds to lower the bottom section, but the ease of loading heavier items in or just sitting on it at the weekend makes it one of those small features you quickly learn to appreciate.
This is BMW’s flagship SUV, and it communicates that in every interaction: the soft click of the switchgear, the chilled precision of the glass controls, and the effortless way tech integrates without intruding. It’s not just a cabin; it’s a rolling sanctuary.
Driving Impressions
Slip behind the wheel of the X7 40d and the first thing that hits you is the sheer sense of calm. Press the starter and the inline-six hums to life so smoothly that, without glancing at the tach, you’d hardly know the engine was on. Around town, the X7 glides with an effortless composure — the diesel’s 720Nm of torque wafts you forward with barely a flex of your right foot. It doesn’t surge, it surfs on a constant wave of torque, giving you the sense you could keep going forever without the car breaking a sweat.
Out on the open road, the X7 is a consummate cruiser. Plant your foot for an overtake of some long trucks along the back roads of Gippsland and the mild-hybrid system joins the straight-six to deliver a swell of torque that shoves you forward, surprising anyone who assumes something this large should feel sluggish. The 8-speed ZF box is telepathic — always in the right gear, always smooth.
In corners, it defies its bulk. The air suspension hunkers down and controls body roll so well you forget you’re piloting nearly 2.5 tonnes of SUV. The steering has BMW’s hallmark precision — light at low speeds, but with enough feedback to place this seven-seater confidently on a country road. It’s no X5 M50i, but the confidence it inspires is uniquely BMW: composed, planted, and reassuringly athletic.
Safety Tech
The 2025 X7 is loaded with driver assistance: adaptive cruise with stop & go, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view cameras, and BMW’s Parking Assistant Professional that can even memorise and retrace tricky parking manoeuvres. ANCAP hasn’t crash-tested the facelifted X7, but the tech suite is comprehensive and in line with the flagship positioning.
Ownership Experience
BMW offers a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and service-inclusive packages that can be prepaid for predictable costs. Diesel economy of ~8.2L/100km is impressive given the size, and with a 80L tank, you’re looking at over 900km of touring range. For families, the X7 nails practicality with its towing ability, seven-seat flexibility, and tech to keep everyone comfortable.
Verdict
The 2025 BMW X7 xDrive40d is less about carving apexes and more about conquering continents. It’s an SUV that blends commanding road presence with genuine everyday usability, all while delivering luxury and refinement on par with rivals from Mercedes and Audi. For buyers who want BMW’s badge and engineering in the most spacious, plush form available, the X7 40d hits the sweet spot.
For the drivers? Not in the traditional M-car sense. But for those who want the ultimate BMW SUV experience without compromising on comfort, efficiency, or practicality — the X7 40d stands tall.
