BMW’s long-anticipated X7 three-row crossover is finally here.

The adaptable SUV can be fitted with either a three-seat bench or a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row, making it ideal for both short trips across town and cross-country adventures.

Car and Driver took it for a spin to see what all the fuss is about, and had the following to say about BMW’s latest offering:

Engines, Ride, and Handling

The SUV has a pair of turbocharged engines – a 335-hp 3,0-litre straight-six and a twin-turbo 456-hp 4,4-litre V-8 – that are both teamed with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

The four-corner air suspension comes standard.

In our recent test drive, we found the straight-six to be torquey and quiet but the V-8 was more charming and its acceleration was more urgent.

An air suspension with adaptive damping provides a smooth ride in Comfort mode.

The selectable Sport mode tightens things up slightly; sharp impacts manage to intrude on the interior’s otherwise placid calm due to the 21-inch wheels.

You can also get a special off-road package that adds an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, off-road driving modes, and a front skid plate to protect the bottom of the engine.

Not bad.

Interior and Technology

The interior is inspired by the smaller X5 SUV and partially from the upscale 7-series sedan.

The X7’s rich interior is well-appointed, tech-packed, and spacious. A digital gauge display and a large 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen dominate the dashboard.

Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker audio system, integrated navigation, onboard Wi-Fi, and a wireless smartphone-charging pad are all standard.

Plenty of luxury features can be found inside as well, including heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and 12-color interior ambient lighting.

It also has automated emergency brakes, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring to endure that you drive safe and drive smart.

If you’re keen to get your hands on one of these babies you’re looking at dropping just over R1 million.

In general, buying a new (or used) car is a big decision. To avoid unnecessary mistakes, chat to car expert Juliet on TIMON – on demand – whenever you like.

[source:caranddriver]