Slide aboard an X7 and you will find it feels much more the super-sized, lifted-up BMW 5 Series than an out-and-out, stand-alone luxury SUV. This comes with the territory because, unlike any Range Rover or Bentley Bentayga, the X7 derives from an established family of executive cars, so an element of homogeneity should be expected.
But actually, rather than this being disadvantageous, the link to BMW’s mid-ranking saloon is not a bad thing. The current 5 Series has always struck an excellent balance of ergonomic thoughtfulness and material richness, and the X7 replicates the former and subtly heightens the latter, all to desirable effect. Soft leather and some interesting fascias play off against familiar physical controls honed to perfection by the simple fact they’ve been deployed by BMW hundreds of thousands of times. For an everyday kind of car, the X7 exists in a neat sweet spot of functional luxury, though we would understand if some M60i owners would prefer a bit more individuality for £109,000.
Less immediately lovable is iDrive 8, which integrates the central infotainment and instrument readouts into one vast, curved display. In fairness, this scale of the display looks quite at home in the X7, while in smaller cars such as the facelifted BMW 3 Series it simply dominates the cabin, feeling inescapable. Yet even in something the X7’s size it’s a bit of an odd presence, and we miss the leather-clad cowling the driver would traditionally gaze over. Its absence diminishes the feeling that you’re in the secure, cosseting cockpit of something fast and serious. Not even the M60i’s subtle but effective interior lighting can remedy this.
In terms of capacity, the X7 remains vast. It will seat seven in comfort, though there’s an optional six-seat layout, and every berth is electrically adjustable and heated. Note also that the tailgate has a split-folding design, with both sections electronically controlled.
Multimedia system
BMW’s iDrive 8 offers plenty of functionality and ‘wow’ factor but perhaps not quite the same level of intuitiveness as the generation it replaces. There are simply too many icons on the screen for you to either scroll past using the rotary control or press with your finger (which necessitates leaning forward a bit awkwardly). Some of the climate controls have also migrated onto the touchscreen, meaning adjustment now requires you to take your eyes off the road for longer.
The broad, curved display is, however, superbly sharp and versatile, accommodating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as though the software was native. The 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround audio system fitted as standard to the M60i also stands out for its clarity and depth.
It’s worth noting, too, that the optional Travel and Comfort System furnishes the second and third rows of seats with a generous number of USB-C ports, and tablets can be fitted to the backs of the front-seat headrests.
