good

Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Alpina XB7 is one of the most expensive and powerful vehicles BMW has to offer. This three-row SUV is comfortable, well appointed, fast with a capital F, and loaded with just about every feature you could ask for as standard equipment.
How does the ALPINA XB7 drive? With 630 horsepower on tap, the XB7's turbocharged V8 makes nearly as much power as the bonkers BMW XM, which means it's also just as quick. How does 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds sound? Yeah, we were pretty surprised ourselves while testing the XB7. And combined with the XB7's excellent braking power, which is on par with many sports cars, this is one seriously capable family hauler, at least in terms of straight-line performance.
For its size, the XB7 is reasonably nimble on a twisty road. The quick, light steering makes turning or parking relatively easy. While it can handle a corner or two, it's not its natural habitat and it ultimately feels much more at home devouring miles on an open highway. The transmission shifts smoothly and responds quickly when you need a burst of speed.
How comfortable is the ALPINA XB7? The XB7's main selling point is grand-touring comfort to go along with all of its speed. While it manages to balance those two inherently contradictory factors well, ultimately it can't match some of its rivals that put comfort above all else. The seats in all three rows are reasonably comfortable, but the XB7's enormous 23-inch wheels pose a bit of a challenge when it comes to managing ride quality — usually the bigger the wheels and tires, the worse the ride. The XB7 is by no means a harsh-riding SUV, but it also isn't as quiet and isolating as some of its ultra-luxury rivals.
The climate controls are all touchscreen-based. The five-zone climate control gives nearly every passenger control of his or her own microclimate, while standard heated and ventilated seats work well to cool and warm everyone on board from the other side. Capping this off is great vent coverage throughout the cabin.
How’s the interior? Save for some minor trim pieces and Alpina logos, the XB7's interior is nearly identical to the regular X7's. That's both a good and bad thing. The interior is relatively spacious, though adults will find the third row lacks shoulder room. It's at least easy to crawl back there since the adjustable air suspension and large doors make getting in and out pretty easy. Visibility is good for such a large SUV. The standard surround-view camera, parking sensors and blind-spot warning system help out a lot, especially in tight parking lots.
Getting your preferred driving position is easy thanks to lots of seat adjustment and an upright view ahead. XB7 also utilizes BMW's latest touchscreen system, which helps improve on much of the usability but also makes some things more difficult to access. One example: You need to dive deep into a menu to adjust the adaptive cruise control following distance. In most other cars, this is something readily available on the steering wheel. Other than a couple of quirks, a fair amount becomes second nature.
How’s the tech? The Alpina XB7 is loaded with tech, and almost all of it comes as standard equipment. BMW includes a full suite of driver aids, from adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking to surround-view cameras and parking sensors. It all works well too. The adaptive cruise maintains a consistent distance from the car ahead of you and brakes and accelerates smoothly. The lane centering is equally impressive.
The XB7's voice command system is useful too. It understands natural language and can control a variety of features, including adjusting the climate control and setting navigation directions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which work wirelessly, are a boon for those who prefer to use their phones for navigation and music.
How’s the storage? Luxury SUVs need to be as practical as they are well appointed, and the XB7 does pretty well on this front. Cargo space behind the third row is typical for a luxury SUV of this type. Drop the seats and the space opens up greatly, though it's not quite as massive inside as the Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade. Those big domestic SUVs can also tow more — when the XB7 is properly equipped, maximum towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.
Small-item storage is mixed. The door pockets are massive, but the center console is shallow. Putting things in the front cupholders blocks access to the wireless charging pad. Got kids? The XB7 is a capable family hauler. The second-row seating area is roomy enough for rear-facing child safety seats, and the seat anchor points are easy to access. You can also lower the XB7's ride height to make it easier for small kids to climb in.
How’s the fuel economy? The Alpina XB7 gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined (16 city/20 highway). We matched that figure on our mixed-driving evaluation route, so the EPA figures should be fairly accurate if you drive with a light foot. Some rivals are a bit less thirsty in the city, but only by a small margin.
Is the ALPINA XB7 a good value? The XB7 looks and feels like a premium vehicle, but it doesn't quite stand out enough to fully justify its price. Outside of the extra power, the Alpina XB7 isn't noticeably much better than a standard V8-powered BMW X7. Factor in the price gap between the Alpina and a regular X7, and it's an even harder argument to make even if you consider the upgraded interior. The XB7 does include just about every available feature as standard equipment, but it definitely tacks on a few bucks for the Alpina pedigree premium.
BMW includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. It also includes four years of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of maintenance.
The Alpina XB7 is one of those vehicles that should stand out to those who know what the Alpina badge means. But the special wheels and slight design tweaks don't do a lot to separate it from the rest of BMW's SUV lineup. It's powerful and comfy, which is what modern Alpinas are all about. The subtle looks do make it a bit of a sleeper given the potent V8, but the XB7 is too big and bulky to really enjoy driving along a curvy road.