BMW X7 2023: $26K price increase, Australian release date confirmed for facelifted Q7, GLS rival

---

BMW has confirmed a raft of new features for its facelifted flagship SUV with the X7 set to gain a six-seater option and 23-inch wheels for the first time.

A choice of two core grades will be offered, with the X7 xDrive40d (replacing the xDrive30d) priced at $166,900 (before on-road costs) while the M Performance tunned option has been renamed from X7 M50i to M60i, and commands $197,900.

BMW will continue to offer the entry-level X7 xDrive40d in a choice of either M Sport and Design Pure Excellence variants but the demise of the base grade means the X7 will effectively see a $26,000 spike in the price of entry.

The facelifted X7 is set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2022 – between October and December – where it will face off against the new-generation Range Rover along with the popular Mercedes-Benz GLS and newer rivals like the Genesis GV80.

48-volt technology boosts power

BMW has opted to add a 48-volt system to the diesel-equipped X7 xDrive40d, with the small electric motor supplying up to 9kW of power and 200Nm of torque instantly.

This addition, along with general improvements to the drivetrain, has seen the outputs of the  3.0-litre turbo-diesel straight-six increase to  259kW and 720Nm, offering an increase of 64kW and 100Nm.

BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo-petrol V8-equipped X7 M60i retains its 390kW and 750Nm outputs, with both engines feeding grunt to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

Six-seat captain’s chair option now available

The facelifted X7 has jumped on a growing trend by offering a three-row, six-seater option alongside the traditional seven-seat layout.

BMW buyers will need to pay an extra $1500 for the privilege but in doing so will gain a pair of captain’s chairs with independent armrests in place of the three-seat bench.

Other rivals such as the Genesis GV80 already offer this layout while the Lexus LX600 has gone a step further by offering the large SUV with an extremely spacious four-seater option.

Bolstered list of standard features

Designers have brought the X7 into line with the rest of the range by adding new adaptive matrix LED headlights along with a square-shaped kidney grille. At the rear, a similar pair of LED tail-lights have been added.

Buyers can choose to option huge 23-inch wheels to the X7 though smaller 22-inch wheels are fitted on all grades as standard.

Standard features on the xDrive40d include Merion leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, metallic paint, an inbuilt dash cam, a 16-speaker harmon/kardon sound system and an incredible five-zone climate control.

The latest update has also ushered in a larger 14.9-inch touchscreen, running on BMW’s latest Operating System 8 software, which works in conjunction with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

BMW has also bolstered the list of active safety features, with the front AEB system now more able to detect pedestrians, cyclists and on-coming vehicles at an intersection, and added safe exit assist and a new trailer assistance function. 

From here, X7 xDrive40d buyers will need to choose either the M Sport or Design Pure Excellence, with each variant offering unique styling features.

The X7 xDrive40d M Sport adds M-specific pedals, front and rear exterior styling, M Sport brakes, leather steering wheel and fine wood trim with ‘Fineline Black’ colouring.

Opting instead of the ‘Design Pure Excellence’ nets a different style of 22-inch wheels, a sports leather steering wheel and the fine-wood trim is finished in a shade of ‘Fineline Stripe’ brown.

X7 M60i adds a series of performance-focused upgrades including a four-tailpipe exhaust, an M Sport differential at the rear, BMW’s Executive Drive Pro suspension control system and four-wheel steering.

Designers also throw in a more aggressive body kit, seat ventilation and a massage function for those in the front row, along with seat heating for all three rows. A heated steering wheel is also included along with heated and cooled front cupholders.

BMW packages also available

As per the norm on flagship models, BMW also offers a series of packages to help buyers specify their X7 with the features they want.

A 20-speaker 1508W Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround sound system can be optioned with an additional $8500, while M Multifiuntional seats in the front row add a memory function and lumbar support for the front passenger for up to $3000.

BMW also offers the ‘Connoisseur Suite’ which adds features like a panoramic glass roof, gesture control for the multimedia system for an extra $5000 on the X7 M60i.

But for the X7 xDrive40d buyers, this package will add seat heating in all three rows, ventilation and a massage function for front occupants and a heated steering wheel but for the higher price of $10,000. 

Also available on the X7 xDrive40d is the M Sport Pro package, which, for an additional $4000 adds an M exhaust system, M Sport brakes, allowing with a sportier kidney grille design and M-branded seatbelts.

BMW X7 2023: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• X7 xDrive40d M Sport: $166,900
• X7 xDrive40d Design Pure Excellence: $166,900
• X7 M60i: $197,900

Extras and packages:

• Six-seat configuration: $1500
• Bowers and Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System: $8500
• M Sport Pro: $4000 (or $3200 with Connoisseur Suite)
• Connoisseur Suite: 
  • $10,000 on X7 xDrive40d 
  • $5000 on X7 M60i
• M Multifunction seats
  • $3000 on xDrive40d
  • $1500 on X7 M60i
  • $1500 on xDrive40d with Connoisseur Suite