First, a reminder: the X7 is BMW’s flagship Sports Activity Vehicle, which is what the brand insistently calls its SUVs. It was introduced in 2018 on the G07 platform and received a facelift—ahem, ‘Life Cycle Impulse’—in 2022. It arrived in Malaysia the following year as a locally assembled variant, first as the xDrive40i Pure Excellence (RM630,800) and was followed a few months later by the xDrive40i M Sport (RM694,800). There is not much in the way of external aesthetic changes, though the headlights are squintier and the front apron has been re-sculpted for a little more of that square-jawed action-hero look.

As the largest SUV from BMW, what the X7 always offered was more space than any of its stablemates—both horizontally and vertically. It could hold an impressive amount of cargo or up to seven people. As a top-end offering from the same company that makes the 7 Series, a luxury icon in its own right, the refreshed X7 is richly appointed—from the fine upholstery and seat ventilation to Harman Kardon surround sound and an expansive panoramic sunroof, to little touches like soft-close doors. The tech has been upgraded to match—the 14.9in central touchscreen and 12.3in instrument cluster offer the same level of sophistication as the rest of BMW’s cutting-edge fleet, and the new X7 has a full suite of safety and driver assistance systems, including dynamic cruise control.

Interior

And then there is the driving. Despite its size, BMW found a way to inject it with some of its trademark athleticism, and it moves like a heavyweight boxer—it is not going to win any sprints, but it carries its bulk with deceptive grace and sure-footedness. The steering is responsive and communicative, the front axle is double-wishbone and five-link at the rear, the two-axle air suspension is self-levelling, and rear-wheel steering is a nifty trick that adds stability and agility. Active roll stabilisation unobtrusively keeps things nice and level. The ride is controlled and cushioned, though never to the point of being overly soft, and the noise isolation is impressively effective.

And, of course, there is the powertrain. It is a mild hybrid system, which means that you only need to pay attention to the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six; the whole system puts out 375bhp and, through the eight-speed transmission, will send the X7 from 0–100km/hr in 5.8 seconds. That is respectable, if not brilliant, by today’s standards—but BMW’s renowned low-rev torque response helps out a lot in terms of the feeling of response.

The 0–100km/hr time is a 0.3-second improvement over its predecessor—but let’s get back to the most meaningful difference that came with the facelift. The bench-style second-row seats that you typically find in SUVs are, in many cases, perfectly functional; but at this tier and price point, from a manufacturer touted for luxury, is that enough? Well, with two individual, full-featured, electrically adjustable seats, complete with armrests, it starts to feel a lot better—a bit of pampering that, traditionally, you might find in a sedan. But the feel in the X7 is different: the seating position is more upright, and the high roof makes things feel less claustrophobic and a little more like that coveted business-class cabin. As an added benefit, it means that the third row of seats can be accessed more easily—something that may not sound like a big concern, but would come in handy on long family drives.

The drawback of the captain’s chairs is out-and-out practicality—it makes the X7 a six-seater rather than seven, and the maximum cargo room with the third-row seats dropped is rated at 750 litres, instead of the 2,000-litre mark like it would be with a fold-flat second row. But what you get in exchange is a passenger experience that is, at the very least, on par with the best options out there. It’s getting harder and harder to recommend the 7 Series over the X7. Unless you really need the least body roll possible from something lower to the ground, or the old-school conservative splendour that comes with a sedan, the X7 is simply a fantastic all-rounder that ticks more boxes.