The Maharaja of SUVs: 2026 BMW X7 Review – Is It Still the Gold Standard?

In the world of high-stakes luxury, the BMW X7 isn’t just a car; it’s a statement of arrival. Since its massive facelift in 2023, the X7 has transitioned from being a “larger X5” to a genuine flagship that rivals the 7 Series in opulence. As we move through January 2026, the X7 continues to dominate the Indian luxury landscape, balancing that massive road presence with the kind of driving dynamics BMW is famous for.

With an entry price of ₹1.27 Crore (ex-showroom), it commands a king’s ransom. But in a market where the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Range Rover Sport are constantly evolving, does the “Big Bimmer” still hold the crown? Let’s put 15 years of automotive journalism to work and find out.

Quick Specs: The X7 Powerhouse

Feature	xDrive40i (Petrol)	xDrive40d (Diesel)
Engine	3.0L Inline-6 Turbo + 48V Mild Hybrid	3.0L Inline-6 Turbo + 48V Mild Hybrid
Max Power	375 BHP @ 5200 RPM	335 BHP @ 4400 RPM
Max Torque	520 NM @ 1850 RPM	700 NM @ 1750 RPM
0-100 km/h	5.8 Seconds	5.9 Seconds
Transmission	8-Speed Steptronic Sport	8-Speed Steptronic Sport
Ground Clearance	221 mm (Unladen)	221 mm (Unladen)
Fuel Tank	83 Litres	80 Litres

Exterior Design & Road Presence: Love It or Hate It, You Can’t Ignore It

The X7 is unapologetically massive. The design philosophy has shifted toward a more “techno-luxury” look.

• The Grille: The kidney grille is now “Iconic Glow,” meaning it lights up at night. It’s large, yes, but on a car this size, it actually works.
• Split Headlamps: The slim upper LEDs are for DRLs, while the main Matrix LED units sit below. It gives the car a futuristic, squinting look that turns heads from a kilometer away.
• Alloys: In India, you get 21-inchers as standard, but the M Sport trims often sport 22-inch wheels that fill the arches beautifully.
• Presence: Parking this in a mall basement is a task, but on the highway, cars literally move out of your way when they see that “Star Wars” face in their rearview mirror.

Interior: A “VVIP” Lounge on Wheels

BMW’s Curved Display is the star here. A 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen are housed behind a single piece of glass.

• Dashboard: It’s a mix of Merino leather, open-pore wood, and the “Crafted Clarity” glass application on the gear selector and iDrive knob. It feels expensive because it is.
• The Seats: The front seats are more like thrones—ventilated, heated, and offering multiple massage programs.
• The 3rd Row: Unlike many “7-seaters,” the X7’s third row is usable for adults on short trips, thanks to the dedicated 5-zone climate control and its own sunroof section.
• Missing Features? At this price, it’s hard to find misses, but some might find the lack of a “theatre screen” (like in the new 7 Series) a missed opportunity for rear-seat entertainment.

Driving Dynamics: The Ultimate Driving “Tank”

City Drive: Surprisingly Nimble

Despite its 5.1-meter length, the Integral Active Steering (rear-wheel steering) makes a huge difference. The turning radius is tighter than you’d expect, making U-turns in Delhi or Mumbai less of a nightmare. The steering is light at low speeds but offers that signature BMW heft as you speed up.

Highway Drive: A High-Speed Cruise Liner

The stability at 120kmph is eerie. There is almost zero wind noise thanks to acoustic glazing. The Adaptive 2-axle Air Suspension scans the road ahead and prepares for bumps.

The Pothole Test:

The suspension absorbs potholes easily, but there’s a caveat: the low-profile tires. If you hit a sharp-edged Indian crater at speed, those R21/R22 tires are prone to sidewall damage. On undulations, however, the X7 glides like a magic carpet.

Real-World Mileage: The Brutal Truth

You don’t buy an X7 for mileage, but with petrol prices hovering where they are, it’s good to know the range.

Variant	ARAI Claimed	Real City (Heavy Traffic)	Real Highway (Cruise)
xDrive40i (Petrol)	11.29 kmpl	5.5 – 6.5 kmpl	9 – 10 kmpl
xDrive40d (Diesel)	14.31 kmpl	8.5 – 9.5 kmpl	12 – 13 kmpl

Note: The 48V Mild Hybrid system helps with the Auto Start-Stop, making city crawls slightly more efficient.\

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Safety: A Fortress on Wheels

BMW hasn’t sent the X7 to the Global NCAP (they rarely do for flagship luxury cars), but it carries a 5-star Euro NCAP pedigree.

• Airbags: 8 Airbags come standard.
• ADAS Level 2: Includes Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and the brilliant Reversing Assistant, which can automatically back the car out of a tight spot for up to 50 meters by retracing your path.
• Build: The “Carbon Core” and high-strength steel construction make it one of the safest structures on Indian roads.

The Competition: X7 vs. The World

Feature	BMW X7	Mercedes-Benz GLS	Range Rover Sport
Price (Ex-sh)	₹1.27 Cr onwards	₹1.32 Cr onwards	₹1.40 Cr onwards
Driving Feel	Sporty & Sharp	Plush & Soft	Off-road King
Tech	OS 8.5 (Curved)	MBUX (Twin Screen)	Pivi Pro
Seating	6 or 7 Seater	7 Seater Only	5 Seater

Winner: If you drive yourself, the BMW X7 is the clear winner. If you are 100% chauffeur-driven, the Mercedes GLS offers a slightly softer ride.

Final Verdict

The 2026 BMW X7 is a masterclass in engineering. It manages to feel like a sports sedan when you want to push it and a private jet when you want to relax.

Buy it if:

• You want the best driving SUV in the segment.
• You need a genuine 6/7 seater that doesn’t feel like a van.
• You love cutting-edge tech and a loud, proud road presence.

Skip it if:

• You want a discreet luxury car (The X7 is the opposite of discreet).
• You primarily drive in extremely narrow lanes where even rear-steering can’t help.
• You are looking for maximum fuel economy (Look at the Lexus RX Hybrid instead).

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