BMW’s X7 CUV Gets Extensive Midlife Facelift for 2023

BMW unveils the facelifted X7, revealing the upmarket large CUV’s bold new front-end styling treatment among a raft of other midlife changes, including an upgraded interior, more contemporary digital functions and more efficient mild-hybrid engines.

The ’23 model, slated for North American sales in August, arrives 3 1/2 years after the X7 first went into production at BMW’s U.S. plant in Spartanburg, SC.

Featuring a distinctive split headlamp treatment similar to that which will appear on the upcoming seventh-generation 7-Series, the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS rival ushers in a new design strategy at BMW. In the future, the German automaker plans to provide each of its traditional model lines with its own unique look, with differing models, whether sedan, wagon or CUV, sharing common design elements.

On the facelifted X7, the upper LED light elements house the daytime running lights and indicators (pictured, below). The more heavily recessed LED units located in the lower section feature low- and high-beam projectors.

The front bumper has been reworked to give it a more angular look, with new vertical air ducts integrated into the outer section for the cooling of the front brakes. The redesigned lower air ducts feature aluminum-look elements.

As on the recently unveiled, facelifted 8-Series, the X7 comes with so-called Iconic Glow cascade lighting for its prominent grille. It is standard on the new range-topping M60i xDrive and is offered as an option on other models.

BMW X7 x60i front end

At the rear end, the taillamps receive more detailed sculpting and new-look LED graphics. The chrome bar integrated between the taillamps has been lightly modified. The standard wheels are 20 ins. in diameter.

As before, buyers can specify an M Sport styling package. It mimics the styling of the new M60i xDrive and comes as standard with 21-in. wheels. 

Together with newly designed 22-in. wheels as optional, the facelifted X7 is the first BMW to offer 23-in. alloy wheels.

Inside (pictured, below), the X7’s hooded instrument panel and central display make way for a new curved display similar in look to that used by the iX. It combines 12.3-in. (31-cm) and 14.9-in. (38-cm) displays for the instruments and infotainment functions in a single unit controlled by BMW’s eighth-generation operating system, which launched last year on the electric-powered iX. 

BMW X7 interior

A modified dashboard receives new ventilation units and switchgear as well as a light band with X7 graphics. Lower down are a new gear selector and iDrive controller within a revised center console.

Buyers can continue to choose between a 6- and 7-seat layout. New upholstery options are offered.

Central among the changes to the X7’s engine lineup is the introduction of BMW’s latest-generation turbocharged 3.0L gasoline I-6 engines.

BMW X7 X60i 2nd row looking up

All units receive new 48V mild-hybrid properties via a crankshaft-mounted starter-generator integrated into the front section of the X7’s standard 8-speed automatic gearbox, providing them with electric boosting properties for added performance along with engine-off coasting functionality for improvements in overall efficiency. 

The output of the B58 engine has been increased by 45 hp and 51 lb.-ft. (69 Nm) of torque, endowing the new xDrive40i with 380 hp and 383 lb.-ft. (519 Nm). It has a claimed 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.8 seconds and a limited 155-mph (250-km/h) top speed. It also offers pure electric propulsion for short distances, according to BMW.

The flagship M50i has been replaced by a new M60i designated model. Its N63 turbocharged 4.4L V-8 develops the same 530 hp and 553 lb.-ft. (750 Nm) as before, though BMW says the electrification measures supply it with added response. Despite this, the automaker says the new range-topping X7 provides the same 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds and limited 155-mph top speed as its direct predecessor.

BMW X7 xDrive401 rear 3.4