The BMW X7 M50i, or a royal palace on wheels where every ride is a pleasure

Right off the bat, I have to say that this is a true giant, offering three rows of seating and many useful gadgets. In fact, it's the biggest car you can get from BMW at the moment. Personally, I'm a fan of huge SUVs and I enjoy driving them, but someone else might argue that the X7 is a bit much...

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Sources: Jan Witek, Archiv BMW

The design is good and the huge kidneys look good on the X7

In terms of appearance, I have to say that the design of the BMW X7 is really top-notch. Although the car is huge, it is not some "ordinary unsightly box", but a car that nicely retains the typical character of BMW cars and the boldness it combines with sumptuous luxury. The X7 commands respect, even when it's sitting motionless in the car park. Some people have occasionally been negative about the huge grille, but I have to say I like this design. In my opinion, the large kidneys add even more "muscle" to the vehicle and they fit perfectly with all the shapes and narrow headlights.

A peek into the castle's chamber

Is it even necessary to describe the luxury found in the interior of the BMW X7? If you've read any of my previous tests of BMW cars, you'll know that I always rate their interiors very positively. Why? Firstly, these cars use quality materials, nothing creaks or squeaks and secondly, everything is simply where it should be. The BMW X7 is no exception.

There's nice leather all around and inlaid wood decor that mimics the sheet metal, alcantara on the ceiling and a giant panoramic window that's also backlit. In addition to the main panoramic window, there's another one above the third row of seats so that each passenger has a view of the sky and doesn't feel cramped in the cabin, a feeling you definitely won't experience in this car.

Photo: Jan Witek

The version of the X7 tested was a six-seat car. How is that possible, you ask? It's a special option, which also includes comfortable seats in the second row that look a lot like the front ones. So you have a great lounge area. And the headrest cushions? That's poetry!

Photo: Jan Witek

The front seats allow for adjustment in many different directions. Each driver can choose the exact seating position that suits them. Want to warm up the seats a little? No problem. Want to cool the leather seats in the warmer months? Of course! Fancy a massage? Why not! I also praise the ability to control the passenger seat from the driver's seat, because rather than explain the settings to an ignorant person, you'd rather do it for them.

Photo: Jan Witek

As I've already outlined, the seating in the second row of seats is also a "swan". You don't have to make any compromises. The two wonderfully comfortable seats are electrically adjustable and heated, and there's no shortage of climate control, USB ports for charging phones and tablets, and preparation for mounts for those smart devices.

I have to say that the surprise in the BMW X7 was the third row of seats, which usually serves as an emergency seat and a place to put the little ones in the group so they're able to walk at all after a long drive. However, the BMW X7 couldn't afford to do that. Even in the back you'll find two comfortable heated seats with wood trim, the aforementioned panoramic window, cup holder and ambient lighting. In addition, the third row of seats offers plenty of room for an adult.

For a holiday for up to four

It's true that the six-seater version doesn't have as much space left in the boot, at least not for a longer holiday. However, when you lift up the bottom, you'll find another large compartment that can easily accommodate up to two classic cabin bags. However, the lack of trunk size for longer journeys can of course always be solved by a coffin on the roof. If you decide not to use the third row of seats, however, you can almost slide them into the floor using the electric buttons directly in the boot, and you'll have plenty of room for luggage that morning. I'd say comfort, luxury, opulence and space are synonymous with the BMW X7's interior and I can hardly fault anything here.

A ride of kings!

I'm sure you're wondering how such a colossus is likely to drive. The first time you see this giant, you get the feeling that you'll be stuck in a line of trucks at most on the highway, because it's hard to get something like this moving. The opposite is true. This royal palace shoots off like a rocket with every press of the accelerator, and the weight of over two and a half tons doesn't have to give you wrinkles.

Photo: Jan Witek

In fact, under the bonnet of the BMW X7 M50i I tested was a turbocharged petrol fork eight-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.4 litres. It offers 530 hp (390 kW) and 750 Nm of torque. This means you can go from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.7 seconds. The point of this car, however, is not to be sporty or to spin the tyres. In fact, the BMW X7 is primarily designed for comfortable and luxurious driving without worry on any terrain. However, whenever you want to, you have plenty of power in store to literally wipe out others.

Photo: Jan Witek

When I took the BMW X7 on a road trip across the Czech Republic and let the car just flow along the back roads and motorways, it was something incredible. It was like sailing across a calm sea on a luxury yacht. Occasionally I got so oblivious that I exceeded the speed limits a little more, but you just don't notice that in this car. In fact, it's still quiet and peaceful inside.

Photo: Jan Witek

The intelligent four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering chassis also makes for a comfortable ride. And there are plenty of driving assistants. For example, you'll really enjoy the steering assist, which combines lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. The car keeps itself in the lanes and maintains the speed you set, or adapts to the cars in front of you, as well as to the curves that await you on the route, where the car automatically reduces speed. You can therefore drive smoothly through a roundabout without having to step on the pedals. The speed can also be controlled by local limits, and lane changing is also very comfortable, where you just need to tickle the turn signal lever and the car will then check the next lane, into which it will automatically move.

This is a huge car, and with the addition of the BMW X7 M50i, it comes with a very powerful engine, so it certainly doesn't occur to anyone that fuel consumption will be under 10 litres. During my testing I was hovering around 12 litres, but all it takes is a little more throttle and you can move noticeably higher.

This is something BMW could teach!

The car's interior system and controls are just as comfortable. In front of the driver is a fully digital instrument cluster, which may not offer as many configuration options as, for example, Mercedes-Benz cars, but that doesn't matter, because even the default settings show exactly what the driver needs. The iDrive system is, in my opinion, the best I've had the opportunity to try in cars so far and it works perfectly. The head-up display is also very clear, showing not only the current speed, but also a clear map of the surrounding area with the route.

When you add to all this the gesture control, which BMW calls Gesture Control, where you just wave your hand in front of the main display in various ways to either stop, switch, raise or lower the music volume, there's no need to debate anything else. The wireless connection to your smartphone works great too. In my case, Apple Car Play, which then lets you use your favourite apps like Spotify, Waze, Podcasts and more without a problem.

Photo: Jan Witek

See you again!

You can't imagine how I feel after a week with this car when I then have to return it. It's a similar feeling to getting a favourite toy under the tree that you have to hand in a week later, or going to a concert by your favourite star that's over in two hours. You're charged with experiences and impressions, yet you feel sad inside. I got a little excited, but that's exactly the feeling I had when I returned the BMW X7. I have to say, this car literally hit the spot for me!

Photo: Jan Witek

The car I tested offered a configuration that, according to the list price, came out to almost 3.6 million crowns. This is indeed big money, but you have to remember that for this amount you get the biggest SUV, i.e. the flagship line of the SUV segment from BMW in really top-notch equipment. For my money, this spacious, comfortable, luxurious and technology-packed car that becomes the king of the road wherever it goes is second to none. Way to go, Munich!