[Big Kentucky]

Question for anyone who has comparison shopped X7 against X5. If one of my top priorities is comfortable back seat room, am I gaining significantly by jumping from X5 to X7? I don't care *at all* about 3rd row. But if there is significant increase leg room in the second row of the X7 (and by significant I mean 4 inches or more of extra leg room), I'd consider making the jump, even though I don't need the overall vehicle length increase of 8". I know I can read the specs for each car, but I also know the X7 second row seats are adjustable. Can you slide them back enough to create that meaningful difference in leg room?

Thoughts?

[Saver]

yes, it's definitely a meaningful difference. I suggest you go to a dealer nearby and try out the seats. If you are not interested in test driving, you can either just go in and try the seat out in the display vehicle, or if none are on display, just ask the salesperson you just want to try the seats.

If you do go to try them out, make sure you adjust the front seat first to your actual driving position, and then compare them. A lot of times the front seats are jacked back so much so it's important to adjust them to get a real feel for what it'll be like (and also for X7, adjust the 2nd row to be back and reclined as much).

[Tyriondo]

X7 is superior to X5 regarding interior space. It's also more refined regarding riding comfort.

[Kalvis]

Originally Posted by Big Kentucky

Question for anyone who has comparison shopped X7 against X5. If one of my top priorities is comfortable back seat room, am I gaining significantly by jumping from X5 to X7? I don't care *at all* about 3rd row. But if there is significant increase leg room in the second row of the X7 (and by significant I mean 4 inches or more of extra leg room), I'd consider making the jump, even though I don't need the overall vehicle length increase of 8". I know I can read the specs for each car, but I also know the X7 second row seats are adjustable. Can you slide them back enough to create that meaningful difference in leg room?

Thoughts?

This was main reason why we selected X7 over X5 - increased leg room and comfort on back seats.

I am 190cm tall and after me in X5 wife ~ 178cm tall cant be comfortable so X7 was only choice.

X7 back seats you can move electrically back and also adjust angle of back part. Its huge difference.

[MystroX5]

Own both. The X7 is significantly more comfortable in the back seat especially with the reclining power captain chairs. The biggest fail with the X5 rear seat is they don’t recline at all. That is an especially fail at any price point for a mid size suv. Even the X3 has partially reclining seats??
It was a major issue for my kids traveling and my wife hated the rear seats of the X5.

My X7 is in another zip code of opulence for the rear passengers.

[lloyd99]

OP: I could be wrong - but I believe there is 3+ more inches of legroom in an X7 with the second row bench versus the captain's chairs. Check for yourself to confirm.

[keg97]

Originally Posted by lloyd99

OP: I could be wrong - but I believe there is 3+ more inches of row legroom in an X7 with the second row bench versus the captain's chairs. Check for yourself to confirm.

I was just going to say the bench seats have fore/aft movement while the captain's chairs are static. We have both and the bench makes the 2nd row feel like a limo.

[X5Salty]

I have an X7 M60i on order for this exact reason. My 2021 X5 is a great car but teenagers that keep growing are now not fitting behind the first row comfortably. Went and test drove both X7 and X5 LCI and the X7 was leagues ahead on rear legroom and critically, ride comfort. The extended wheelbase is significant for ride quality over the X5 and this was a big factor for me.

Throw in that rear wheel steer is lost on the X5 when you spec air suspension (a must for me) but is retained on the X7, well that's 3 reasons to step up to the X7. Do I need 7 seats and a 5.2m long car? Well apparently I now do.

[X7 Recruit]

Originally Posted by keg97

I was just going to say the bench seats have fore/aft movement while the captain's chairs are static. We have both and the bench makes the 2nd row feel like a limo.

The Captain’s chairs move fore and aft, as well.

If the bench makes the car feel like a Limo, the captain’s chairs make it feel like… a better limo? 😅 The captain’s chairs change the whole personality of the car, and really make it a luxury vehicle - when compared to the bench.

I’d love to love to an X5 but that 💩 second row is a deal breaker.

[25G07]

Not having recline in 2nd seat was the sole reason we chose X7 and couldn’t be happier!

[keg97]

Originally Posted by X7 Recruit

The Captain’s chairs move fore and aft, as well.

If the bench makes the car feel like a Limo, the captain’s chairs make it feel like… a better limo? 😅 The captain’s chairs change the whole personality of the car, and really make it a luxury vehicle - when compared to the bench.

I’d love to love to an X5 but that 💩 second row is a deal breaker.

No kidding! I have captain's in my work X but didn't think they moved. Truthfully I don't know that I've even had anybody sit back there. Thanks for clarifying!

The bench v. captain's debate has been covered many times with strong opinions on both sides.

[ledphut]

My advice is to go to a dealership and see for yourself because it’s not that much more roomy as people on here are making it out to be.

I’ve owned both and the fact of the matter is, as a tall guy (6’7”) I’m moving my front seat forward the same amount as I did in my old X5 if someone needs to sit behind me.

All the additional length of the vehicle was given to the 3rd row. But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself in person. I’ll leave you with Car & Drivers latest spec sheet for both vehicles.

[Kalvis]

Originally Posted by ledphut

My advice is to go to a dealership and see for yourself because it’s not that much more roomy as people on here are making it out to be.

I’ve owned both and the fact of the matter is, as a tall guy (6’7”) I’m moving my front seat forward the same amount as I did in my old X5 if someone needs to sit behind me.

All the additional length of the vehicle was given to the 3rd row. But don’t take my word for it, go see for yourself in person. I’ll leave you with Car & Drivers latest spec sheet for both vehicles.

I am 190 cm ~ 6'3" and in X5 my wife cant sit comfortably if I'm not mowing seat little bit forward!

But in X7 there is i think ~ 10cm =3,937 in free space if 2nd row is moved back.

There is even more free space if driver seat is without massage! I had no massage in my first X7 but now in LCI i have massage and she noticed difference!

Certainly its best to see it real life!

P.S figures you posted most likely are when X7 2nd row seat is in "standard" position and not moved back all the way.

[mattsrs]

Having had both 24 X5 and now 25 X7, IMHO X7 is a better value and a better car all around. I would take a "base" X7 over a fully loaded X5 any day of the week.

X7 is way better insulated from outside noise, the ride is more refined and the extra space is a nice bonus.

[BMW5and7]

I have both (X5 and X7).

Bench seat X7 vs X5: You just get more leg room. The seating position is still awkward and not my favorite; but surely you get more leg space in the X7.

Captain-chairs X7 vs X5: That’s where the X7 shines; despite the none sense the captains don’t fold, but they are far far far more comfortable than the bench seat. Here you get a comfortable ride plus much more legroom too.

[chicagox7]

I’ll add to the go to the dealership sentiment. I’ll also advocate you sit in both captains and the bench. If the only criteria is legroom- the forum has proven (to me at least) even within the X7, the bench has more leg room than the captains. That said, my opinion (and my kids) is that the captains are a more comfortable seat for longer rides. Hence- go to a dealer and have your passengers sit in all 3 (X5, X7 bench and X7 captains) and judge which is better.

[Big Kentucky]

thanks to all for the fantastic opinions an insights.

[Saver]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Own both. The X7 is significantly more comfortable in the back seat especially with the reclining power captain chairs. The biggest fail with the X5 rear seat is they don’t recline at all. That is an especially fail at any price point for a mid size suv. Even the X3 has partially reclining seats??
It was a major issue for my kids traveling and my wife hated the rear seats of the X5.

My X7 is in another zip code of opulence for the rear passengers.

How are your screens all synced (front, 2 tablets on the back)?

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by Saver

How are your screens all synced (front, 2 tablets on the back)?

This is the OEM Rear Entertainment System from BMW. They can be a entire vehicle theater system or each individual. BMW never brought back many of the premium options like the RES for the USA since 2020.

[starlights]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

This is the OEM Rear Entertainment System from BMW. They can be an entire vehicle theater system or each individual. BMW never brought back many of the premium options like the RES for the USA since 2020.

So doesn't the front screen get affected by Video in Motion lock? What if you wanted to change the front screen to maps once after starting the movie for the kids in the back? possible?

[Shanh81]

We are currently debating between x5 and 7. Family of 4 (6 yr old and newborn) and on occasion we have grandparents who come with us. I prefer sportier drive feel and wife appreciates luxury aspect. Main challenge with x7 was we couldn't fit our newborn stroller in trunk with all seats up kind of defeating the purpose.

Majority of the times during weekdays pretty much just us two driving to and back from work.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by starlights

So doesn't the front screen get affected by Video in Motion lock? What if you wanted to change the front screen to maps once after starting the movie for the kids in the back? possible?

The oem RES is a very good and comprehensive vehicle system far more advance than a simple entertainment system for the rear. Think executive transport vehicle and not mini-van kids screens.
The system is in reality 3 separate systems that can be synced or be doing three independent tasks while tapping into the vehicles resources . One screen could be doing GPS or maps and then send info to front driver while the other is watching HULU. The front screen is the command screen that can govern the system or view what ever it wants independently. Include the Diamond B&W system with custom processing for the RES and you have the best high end entertainment system on wheels.