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Originally Posted by Car and Driver
After just shy of a year, our 2020 BMW X7 M50i continues to rack up the miles with a relentless haste. And with 523 horsepower on tap, a plush cabin, and three rows of seating, it's easy to understand why. The X7 is popular with staffers for many different reasons. For some it's just a large three-row ute to ferry their families, while others enjoy it for the opulence of its interior trappings or the growl of its powerful V-8. It even works great as a tow vehicle. With so many talents, it's no mystery why the X7 M50i is in high demand amongst our staff...
While traversing the winding mountain passages, we were impressed with the X7's sure-footed grip and surprising agility. Despite weighing nearly three tons, the stiff suspension (in Sport mode), massive tires, and rear-wheel steering help deliver a convincingly carlike experience...
This service visit (the final one included in BMW's three-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance program) called for just an oil change and a few inspections, but we weren't getting out of the dealership that easy. After confirming that there are no aftermarket windshields or even a shop outside of a BMW dealership that is authorized to replace one, we begrudgingly forked over the $2808 to replace our fractured windshield...
In our last update, multiple editors commented about experiencing intermittent issues with the haptic buttons that surround the elegant crystal shifter protruding from the X7's center console. When present, this issue would render both the haptic feedback and the actual function of the buttons (be it auto stop-start, drive modes, traction control, or the auto hold for the parking brake) inoperable. So, sometimes Sport mode was unavailable, which was a shame, but other times the auto parking brake would refuse to release, which is more than a minor peccadillo when you're in a car wash. Thankfully, we also had the dealer examine that problem while the X7 was in for service. According to them, the culprit was a bit of debris underneath the panel that holds the haptic buttons, and we've had no issues since...
Comments continue to roll in, too. One staffer praised the adaptive cruise control's smooth braking, a quality that she discovered while using the system to rein in her speed after realizing that 90 mph can easily feel like 70 in such a well-isolated space. She also pointed out that a larger fuel tank would be a welcome addition, and while that's not untrue—a Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class holds nearly two gallons more—we've found that the best way to stretch the range of the X7 is to take it easy on the gas pedal. As the X7 nears the end of its stay with us, we're struggling to find much bad to say about it. Yes, the big BMW's fuel economy is subpar, and yes, its cargo space with the third row upright is on the small side given its external proportions. But judged as a whole, the X7 M50i is largely uncompromised and is about as versatile as an SUV can be.
Months in Fleet: 10 months Current Mileage: 30,182 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 17 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 21.9 gal Observed Fuel Range: 370 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $2808
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