If you’re the type who wants everything in generous measure – comfort, luxury, performance, presence – then the BMW X7 M50i has it in excess. This SUV takes abundance to another level, the heart may desire, but the budget may deny such opulence.
Yes, it might leave a dent in your pocket, an R2m-sized hole, if you go for the M50i tested here. You’ll still fork out a hefty sum even if you choose the “basic” model. But then, you get what you pay for. If your wallet matches your tastebud, why not satisfy the pallet? This vehicle is so luxurious that one could probably have sweet dreams sleeping in it.
The first BMW sport-utility vehicle was the X5, released in 1999, a momentous year, says my Dad. But the turn of the millennium brought all sorts of fears when the clock would strike midnight on the last day of December. Nothing like the predicted doomsday scenario happened. All had a good time.
Fast-forward into the future, with nearly 26 years of SUV expertise under its belt, BMW is undoubtedly well-versed in this genre. The X7 was built for those with a penchant for the high life, quite literally, because occupants can look down on mortals in “regular” cars.
Hand-stitched leather, ambient lighting and a large sunroof are some highlights to get excited about. That view of the vast blue sky is available for third-row passengers in the high-end seats. The third seating row is operated electronically. Press a button in the rear quarters, and the luxuriously-trimmed pews retract or fold as needed. This is the C-suite life for those in the premier league.
The combination of power and torque provided by the turbocharged V8 borders on magical. Its underlying fury is melded with a supreme sense of comfort – and a fair degree of agility, too, for such a large vehicle. But when behind the wheel, you do feel that sense of incredible power. It is immense. It is, after all, a BMW.
Competitors would include the full-sized Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. But more about them when they consider putting us on their test platforms.
For now, it is all about the Beemer. One must appreciate practical aspects of the X7, such as its split-opening tailgate, which provides a handy perch for picnics, if people still do that kind of thing in our virtual reality.
If there were any doubts about the intended audience of the X7, look at the crystal-hewn gear lever. A unique touch that should impress first-time passengers.
The hooter tone in any BMW sounds assertive and is a brand hallmark. Guess you can call it a distinctive honk!
But why did BMW take so long to build a full-sized sport-utility vehicle? Good things do take a while, they say. Part of the reason may also have something to do with the increase in demand from markets such as the Middle East, China, and North America. Big money markets mean big profits – and more upgraded models to follow.
People love big SUVs. The bigger, the better. But this luxurious beauty is evidence that BMW does it in style, big time! Some of us can only dream of the C-suite life. For now!
- Aspiring scribe Prashirwin Naidu is a writer focusing on cars and the arts.
