2019 BMW X7 SUV

BMW released a flood of details today on its new flagship SUV, the 2019 X7. The 2019 BMW X7 will be the biggest SUV (or "Sports Activity Vehicle" in BMW speak) in the automaker's lineup, with three rows of seating and room for up to seven passengers. This isn't the first three-row SUV from BMW, but it's definitely the largest, most capable one yet. It has more space than current offerings along with a seriously impressive array of high-tech safety features and some of the most high-end luxury touches ever offered by the German brand. How Big Is it? According to BMW, the X7 will be the largest vehicle in its lineup. At 203.3 inches long, it's 3 inches shorter than the 7 Series sedan, but nearly 10 inches longer than the current X6 SUV and significantly more spacious than both. At 78.7 inches wide and 71.1 inches tall, it's about a half-inch wider and 4 inches taller than the X6. It's also larger on the outside than the competition but manages to fall behind the Mercedes GLS and the Audi Q7 in terms of interior space — giving up about an inch of legroom in both the second and third rows. Reported cargo space is excellent, though: Fold all the X7's seats flat and you get an impressive 90.4 cubic feet of cargo space.What's Under the Hood? At the moment, there are two powertrains to choose from, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine (335 horsepower, 330 pound-feet of torque) powers the base xDrive40i, while a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (456 hp, 479 lb-ft) provides thrust for the xDrive50i. BMW estimates that those two engines will propel the X7 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and 5.2 seconds, respectively. That power isn't just for performance: With the optional factory-installed tow hitch, the X7 is rated to tow up to 7,500 pounds. How Much Does It Cost? The base X7 xDrive40i starts at $73,900. For the more powerful xDrive50i, prices start at $92,600. Full options pricing and more specifics on standard features will likely be released closer to on-sale dates. What Do I Get For All That Cheddar? Standard features are, as you'd expect in a high-end German SUV, plentiful. On the base xDrive40i you get 21-inch wheels, an adjustable air suspension, electronically controlled dampers, four-zone automatic climate control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and mitigation, front and rear collision warning, forward collision mitigation, and a rearview camera with rear cross-traffic alert. The aforementioned air suspension is capable of lowering the X7's height by 0.8 inch (for getting in or loading cargo) or raising it by as much as 1.6 inches for driving off the beaten path. Options are abundant as well, including items such as 22-inch wheels, remote start, a three-panel panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree surround-view camera, captain's chairs for the second row (reducing overall seating to six), and heated, ventilated and massaging front seats. Another available extra is Active Cruise Control, which is BMW's radar-based adaptive cruise control system that uses the GPS to predict traffic and change transmission shift schedules. There's also a myriad of interior designs to choose from, including nine different leather selections and even controls made from glass for things like the gear shift lever and the radio volume knob. There are also several packages available including a Dynamic Handling package (M Sport electronic rear differential, M Sport brakes, adaptive suspension, four-wheel steering), a Cold Weather package (five-zone automatic climate control, front and rear heated seats, front heated armrests, heated steering wheel), a Premium package (soft-close automatic doors, electric rear window shades, heated and cooled cupholders, head-up display), and an Executive package that includes LED roof lighting and upgraded headlights. What About Tech? The X7's infotainment interface uses the latest version of BMW's iDrive system and a high-resolution 12.3-inch center touchscreen display. As is the case with other iDrive systems, the X7's interface uses a center-console-mounted control dial along with a series of console- and dash-mounted buttons. In our experience, the iDrive system is very easy to use. This interface houses the usual stereo and navigation systems along with a concierge service, on-street parking information, and real-time traffic info, all included for the first four years of ownership. Standard on the xDrive40i is a 10-speaker stereo, with an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system standard on the xDrive50i. A 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system is available as an option on both models. Wireless device charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot are both standard. Aside from the previously mentioned features, the X7 has an optional system called the Driving Assistant Professional package. Part of this package is the Extended Traffic Jam Assist, which has some interesting features for stop-and-go traffic. Under 37 miles per hour, the X7 will be capable of steering, braking and accelerating based on lane markings and road conditions. The system uses an interior camera to monitor the driver's nose and eye position, confirming that the driver's attention is on the road. If it is, the system can continue to operate without the need for the driver to place his or her hands on the wheel every 30-50 seconds, unlike some similar systems that require steering wheel input on a semi-regular basis. This system also allows for the use of Automatic Lane Change. Basically, if the system is on, the driver hits the turn signal, the car's sensors detect whether or not there's enough space to make a lane change, then the car makes the lane change. And aside from the moving stuff, the Driving Assistant package can detect and park in parallel parking spaces, also without driver input. Does It Have a Hal 9000? Yes! But hopefully less murder-y. Like the new 3 Series, the X7 will get BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant. This system is meant to respond naturally to voice prompts and extend the functionality of voice commands. Tell it you're cold, ask it to take you home, or even inquire about the vehicle's oil levels, and the Personal Assistant will respond to your needs. It's meant to learn your habits, like figuring out your common destinations and other preferences, to better anticipate and respond to requests. BMW isn't the only luxury manufacturer to integrate its own version of Siri in vehicles: Mercedes-Benz has launched its own assistant as well. What Else Should I Look at? If you're looking for an SUV that provides the maximum-luxury experience, rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Audi Q7 are a great place to start. They both offer impressive driving dynamics and a long list of available options. A bit less plush but still massively capable and sheerly massive, the recently redesigned Lincoln Navigator should also be considered, as should the Cadillac Escalade. We haven't driven one yet — we'll get you details as soon as we do — but early photos and details make us believe that the 2019 BMW X7 may have just what it takes to dethrone some of the luxury SUV segment's top contenders.

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