BMW has very recently launched its first ever X7 SUV, a seven-seater that occupies the top position in the manufacturer’s high rider lineup. With a starting price in the U.S. of $73,900, it is $13,200 more expensive than the smaller X5, so it needs a good story to help get sales moving. In this case, it needs one that turns everyday obstacles and situations into fantastically exaggerated mythical encounters.

2020 BMW X7 Commercial: Legend

BMW recently published this ad to show who it thinks the new X7 is aimed at and what it will be used for. Its ad for the vehicle is very well done, with superb production values, nicely integrated and tasteful CGI, and plenty of subtle humor - the latter is not usually a big part of German car advertisements. They are usually quite sober and serious.

In said ad, BMW suggests that the 2020 X7 is an excellent vehicle for a mother of four to do the school run in, being presented as a bastion of safety, ruggedness, and luxury.

It is very clearly suggested that like all its other high-riders, this car will essentially do the same job people carriers were designed to do, but in a more all-terrain package that feels safer and more capable. What BMW is essentially saying with this ad is the X7 can do exactly the same thing that its much cheaper front-wheel-drive 2-Series Gran Tourer does but in a taller (and much more prestigious looking) package.

And make no mistake, very few if any future X7 owners will take their brand new luxury SUV mud plugging or rock crawling - the ad reflects this quite proudly, actually. BMW seems really proud of its X7...

2019 BMW X7 - specifications

X7 xDr40i

X7 xDr50i

Engine type

B58

N63

Induction

Turbocharged

Turbocharged

Cylinders

6

8

Valves per cylinder

4

4

Stroke mm

94.6

88.3

Bore mm

82.0

82.0

Displacement cm³

2,998

4,395

Compression rate :1

11.0

10.5

Engine power hp

335

456

at rpm 1/min

5,500 – 6,500

5,250 – 6,000

Engine torque ft. lbs.

330

479

at rpm 1/min

1,500 – 5,200

1,500 – 4,750

Transmission type

8HP51

8HP76

Transmission type

automatic

automatic

Curb weight lbs.

5,370

5,617

Gross vehicle weight lbs.

6,989

7,253

Payload lbs.

1,202

1,202

Tow capacity with 3rd party hitch lbs.

5,950

5,950

Tow capacity with factory hitch lbs.

7,500

7,500

0-60 mph seconds

5.8

5.2

Top speed mph

130

130


Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW X7.

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW Concept X7 iPerformance.