BMW ALPINA XB7

Competes with: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator

Looks like: The current X7 with refreshed front styling

Powertrains: 375-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six (xDrive40i), 523-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 (M60i), 630-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 (Alpina XB7); eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Late 2022 (xDrive40i and M60i); early 2023 (Alpina XB7)

BMW’s largest SUV, the X7, may have been late to the party, but it made up for its tardiness with a comfortable interior and capable engine options. For 2023, BMW has refreshed the X7 with updated styling, technology, driver-assist features and mild-hybrid powertrains. The base xDrive40i and higher-horsepower M60i variants will arrive later this year, followed by the performance-oriented Alpina XB7. Here are the changes coming to the opulent family hauler.

Related: 2019 BMW X7: Plenty to Like About the Three-Row Bimmer

The Exterior Gets Lit

See full gallery

The X7’s front end sees the biggest changes for 2023 with a new lighting design that splits the vehicle’s headlights and daytime running lights into two LED units. The slim daytime running lights that sit above the headlamps also serve as the vehicle’s signal indicators. The BMW kidney grille is tweaked with a new bicolor design that incorporates chrome elements; an illuminated version of the new grille will be available on the xDrive40i and standard on the M60i.

The X7’s rear styling was also attended to with new three-dimensional LED light strips that are slimmer, brighter and double as brake lights.

Additionally, a new paint color — Sparkling Copper Grey metallic — joins the roster of 14 exterior paint options, and larger 23-inch light-alloy wheels will be available as an alternative to the X7’s standard 21- or 22-inch wheels.

Updated M Sport Packages Arrive

The base X7 xDrive40i can masquerade as its higher-performance counterpart with a new M Sport Package. The package adds unique front and rear aprons and side skirts; gloss-black trim on the roof rails, window surrounds and door sills; and bicolor 21-inch wheels. Inside, the package adds illuminated door-sill plates with the M logo and an M-exclusive leather steering wheel, pedals and badging.

An M Sport Professional Package can be layered atop the xDrive40i M Sport or added to the M60i. For the base model, the package adds a matte-black surround for the kidney grille; tailpipe finishers in black chrome; M Sport brakes with black or blue brake calipers; an M Sport exhaust system; and the illuminated grille. The M60i gains the brake calipers and the darkened exterior trim.

More Creature Comforts, Sustainable Materials

The X7’s three rows can seat six or seven occupants with available captain’s chairs or a bench seat for the second row. BMW’s multi-contour heated seats now come standard on the base model; ventilated and massaging seats are optional.

Sustainability is a focus for the new X7 thanks to eco-conscious features like interior trim and floor mats made from recycled plastic and standard quilted-leatherette seats. Shoppers looking for a genuine leather interior will find standard Merino leather seats in the M60i; they are also available for the xDrive40i. A two-tone white and gray interior is added as a new option for 2023.

Improved Powertrains Roll In

According to BMW, performance upgrades in the X7 come courtesy of its more efficient and capable powertrains. Like its predecessor, the 2023 X7 will come with a twin-turbo inline-six (xDrive40i) or twin-turbo V-8 (M60i, Alpina XB7). Each powertrain uses a new mild-hybrid system that includes an eight-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor. BMW says the transmission enables faster gear changes for sportier dynamics and offers a sprint function that utilizes the paddle shifter to automatically shift into the lowest gear.

An integral active steering system now comes standard in the M60i and is available as part of the Dynamic Handling Package for the xDrive40i. According to the automaker, the system improves agility and handling when driving at moderate or high speeds and when changing lanes.

xDrive40i

The base X7 is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six that makes 375 hp and 383 pounds-feet of torque, which is an increase of 40 hp and 52 pounds-feet compared to the outgoing model. The engine is designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency; the current 2022 X7 xDrive40i gets an EPA-rated 21 combined mpg. The base X7 with the new engine gets a BMW-estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds.

M60i and Alpina XB7

Shoppers looking for more power in their family hauler will need to upgrade to the X7 M60i model. Under the hood is a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 523 hp and 553 pounds-feet of torque (these specs are unchanged from the outgoing model, though BMW claims improved responsiveness). BMW estimates the V-8’s 0-60 mph time at 4.5 seconds. As with the xDrive40i’s inline-six engine, the V-8 has also been optimized for efficiency, but no mpg estimates have been provided.

The 4.4-liter V-8’s power is boosted for the X7’s performance model — the Alpina XB7. It makes 630 hp and 590 pounds-feet of torque, knocking the SUV’s estimated 0-60 time down to 4.0 seconds and enabling a top speed of 180 mph.

Bigger Tech, Smarter Safety

The X7’s technology gets a new look and new features for 2023. A digital gauge cluster measuring 12.3-inches merges with the 14.9-inch center touchscreen as part of a single curved display; the new setup replaces the outgoing model’s two 12.3-inch screens. BMW has reduced the number of physical controls on the instrument panel, opting for digital controls for functions like climate control.

An updated center console houses a redesigned gear selector and the iDrive controller for BMW’s latest iDrive8 multimedia system. An enhanced Intelligent Personal Assistant offers additional voice control functionality, allowing the driver to adjust climate settings, control the panoramic moonroof or open windows.

The BMW Digital Key Plus is now offered across all models. The feature turns the driver’s iPhone into a car key and replaces the need for a physical key; it can be shared among five users. For families with young drivers, it can be set to limit top speed, power and radio volume.

The X7 packs many standard safety and driver-assist features, with several additions and enhancements for 2023. The current safety suite includes features like blind spot warning, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors. A new exit warning system alerts occupants with visual and audible cues when a pedestrian or cyclist is approaching the side of the vehicle to prevent them from opening the vehicle doors and causing a collision.

To make parking with a trailer in tow less of a hassle, the Trailer Assistant feature allows the driver to use the iDrive controller to guide the vehicle while it automatically steers and backs up the trailer in a straight line. Another new feature is Maneuver Assistant, which takes GPS data and memorizes steering input from challenging tasks such as pulling into a tight driveway. When the same maneuver must be repeated in the future, the system will automatically control acceleration, brakes and steering to complete it.

Pricing and Release Date

The 2023 BMW X7 xDrive40i will start at $78,845 (all prices include a $995 destination fee); that’s up $2,950 over the outgoing base model. The M60i’s starting price tag jumps to $104,095, which is a $3,300 bump over the outgoing 2022 M50i. Both models will arrive in the second half of 2022. Pricing for the X7 Alpina XB7 will be announced closer to its early 2023 on-sale date.

More From Cars.com:

• 2019 BMW X7: Everything You Need to Know
• Our Hands-on Experience With the 2019 BMW X7’s Hands-Free Driving Mode
• What’s New With BMW for 2022?
• 2019 BMW X7: 4 Things We Like, 3 We Don’t
• Research the BMW X7

Related Video: 

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.