BMW X7 SUV - Practicality & boot space
The BMW X7's conservative shape provides plenty of interior space but it doesn't have the towing ability of the Range Rover
While the BMW X5 has been available with an optional third row of seats for some time, the X7 is the first genuine seven-seat SUV the manufacturer has offered.
BMW X7 interior space & storage
Just look at the BMW X7's sheer size and you shouldn't be too surprised that passenger room is impressive, with ample headroom and shoulder width for adults, even in the third row. The rearmost seats are perhaps not quite as spacious as those in a Land Rover Discovery, but will be ideal for kids and teenagers.
For around £500 extra, the middle bench seats can be swapped for two individual chairs with arm rests and cushioned headrests, providing a more luxurious experience if you don't mind losing one set of seatbelts.
Boot space
Luggage space is simply enormous, with 326 litres available - about the same as a Volkswagen Polo - even when all seven seats are in place. With five seats in place there's 750 litres of cargo space (100 litres more than the BMW X5). Electrically fold all the rear seats and a van-like 2,120 litres is easily accessible via the powered split-tailgate, making the X7 feel like a very plush removal truck.
Towing
One area where the BMW X7 falls down slightly next to the Range Rover is towing, because while it's famous for its lugging ability (with a 3,500kg maximum towing limit), the xDrive40 models are only rated to tow a 2,200kg braked trailer – the M60i can town slightly more at 2,600kg braked. Still, that's plenty enough to haul the majority of trailers and caravans and most owners shouldn't find it an issue.