2026 BMW ALPINA XB7

Name: 2026 BMW ALPINA XB7 Review
Brand: BMW

Release Date: Available now

Estimated Price: Starting at $157,715

The 2026 Alpina XB7 is, at its heart, an X7 M60i turned up to 11. It offers virtually every option available on the M60i plus more power, distinct styling and trim elements, and bigger standard wheels. It lacks the ride comfort of other SUVs in this price range, probably because it's more focused on performance. But for nearly double the money of an M60i, it should stand out and differentiate itself more.Read full review

Pros

Thunderous acceleration
Impressive array of advanced driver aids
Exclusivity of the Alpina badge

Cons

Not so different from standard X7 to justify a very different price
Ride quality suffers on less-than-perfect roads

BMW ALPINA XB7 for Sale

2026 BMW Alpina XB7 Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

The XB7 carries over virtually unchanged for 2026
Based on the first X7 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

When a 523-horsepower three-row BMW X7 just isn't enough, it's Alpina to the rescue. Alpina is a distant cousin to BMW's in-house M brand, but it extends its talents to both performance and luxury. And what it does with the X7 is pretty amazing. The 631-horsepower Alpina XB7 crushed the 60-mph milestone in only 4.1 seconds in our testing. That's quicker than the Cadillac Escalade-V by a significant margin. You also get bigger wheels, unique styling and virtually every option available on the X7 M60i.

Edmunds spotlight: Checking every box

In addition to more power, bigger wheels and Alpina-specific styling tweaks, the XB7 turns most of the optional equipment on the X7 M60i into standard equipment. That includes serious tech like the Driving Assistant Professional package, which includes things like hands-free driving below 85 mph, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. Ventilated, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and heated and cooled cupholders are included. And rear-axle steering is there to enable sharper and more stable handling, talents that are traditionally at odds. In short, there are almost no boxes left to check on this luxury ute.

Competitors to consider

The large performance SUV segment is rarefied air indeed. There's only a handful of utes that are this big, this luxurious and this rapid. The Cadillac Escalade-V is the domestic leader. And it takes a traditional American path to speed and luxury. Its supercharged pushrod V8 makes amazing sounds that may diminish its luxe factor for some. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS matches the Caddy's acceleration but piles on in luxury and cost. And if electric SUVs are on the table for you, think about the Cadillac Escalade IQ and IQL, which offer similar straight-line performance to the V.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the ALPINA XB7 drive? BMW doesn't currently build a full M version of its large X7 SUV, but the Alpina-tuned XB7 comes reasonably close to offering that level of performance. Acceleration is blazingly quick; getting from 0 to 60 mph took just 4.1 seconds in our testing. The brakes are powerful enough to slow the XB7 down better than most sports cars.

The XB7 is reasonably nimble on a winding road, but it feels much more at home in the city or out on the highway. The transmission shifts smoothly, and the quick, light steering makes turning or parking relatively easy. Occasionally the brakes can be too sensitive, making it tricky to stop smoothly, but overall braking performance is on par for the class.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the ALPINA XB7? Disappointingly, the XB7 isn't more comfortable than a regular BMW X7. We expect more considering the price gap between the pair and the vehicles the XB7 competes against. The seats in all three rows are reasonably comfortable, yet despite plenty of adjustment, we never quite settled in.

The XB7's ride quality is also underwhelming. On anything less than perfect pavement, the XB7 doesn't feel as quiet and isolating as its rivals. The ride quality isn't harsh, but it doesn't glide over pavement either.

The climate control system is a mixed bag too. The settings aren't intuitive and require constant manual fiddling to get what you want. We like the standard heated and ventilated seats, but overall the Alpina lacks polish.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? Save for some minor trim pieces and Alpina logos, the interior of the XB7 is identical to the regular X7's. That's both a good and bad thing. The interior is relatively spacious, though adults will find the third row lacks shoulder room. It's at least easy to crawl back there since the adjustable air suspension and large doors make getting in and out pretty easy. Visibility is good for such a large SUV. The standard surround-view camera, parking sensors and the blind-spot warning system help out a lot, especially in tight parking lots.

Getting your preferred driving position is easy thanks to lots of seat adjustment and an upright but comfortable view ahead. On the downside, many of the XB7's controls are frustrating to use. There are plenty of buttons, but it's not always clear which ones control which settings.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The Alpina XB7 is loaded with tech, and almost all of it comes as standard equipment. BMW includes a full suite of driver aids, from adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking to surround-view cameras and low-speed hands-free driving. It all works well too. The adaptive cruise holds a tight gap but doesn't tap the brakes constantly like less refined systems. The lane centering is equally impressive. We also like the XB7's voice command system. It understands natural language and can control a variety of features, including adjusting the climate control and setting navigation directions.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Luxury SUVs need to be as practical as they are well appointed, and the XB7 does pretty well on this front. Cargo space behind the third row is typical for a luxury SUV of this type. Drop the seats and the space opens up greatly, though it's not quite as massive inside as the Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade. Those big domestic SUVs can also tow more — when the XB7 is properly equipped, maximum towing capacity is 7,500 pounds.

Storage for small items is mixed. The door pockets are massive, but the center console is shallow. Putting things in the front cupholders blocks access to the wireless charging pad. Got kids? The XB7 is a capable family hauler. The second-row seating area is roomy enough for rear-facing child safety seats, and the seat anchor points are easy to access. You can also lower the XB7's ride height to make it easier for small kids to climb in.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Alpina XB7 gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. We matched that figure on our real-world evaluation route, so the EPA figures should be fairly accurate if you drive with a light foot. That's average economy for this class in which almost all members are powered by V8 engines. Some rivals are a bit less thirsty in the city, but only by a small margin.

Value

7/10

Is the ALPINA XB7 a good value? The XB7 looks and feels like a premium vehicle, but it doesn't do anything to fully stand out. Outside of the extra power, the Alpina XB7 isn't noticeably better than a standard BMW X7. Factor in the price gap between the Alpina and a regular X7 and it's even harder to swallow, even if you consider the upgraded interior. The XB7 does include just about every available feature as standard equipment, but the overall package isn't totally worth the premium.

BMW includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. It also includes four years of roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of maintenance.

Wildcard

8/10

The Alpina XB7 is one of those vehicles that should stand out to those who know what the Alpina badge means. But the special wheels and design tweaks don't do a lot to separate it from the rest of BMW's SUV lineup. Is it fun to drive? Sort of. The subtle looks do make it a bit of a sleeper given the potent V8, but the XB7 is too big and bulky to really enjoy driving along a curvy road.

Which ALPINA XB7 does Edmunds recommend?

There's only one Alpina XB7 trim and it comes almost fully loaded. The only significant option is the outstanding Bowers & Wilkins audio system, which we'd probably add if we were buying an XB7. Otherwise, there's the option to knock the wheel size down to 21-inchers for no cost, but that'd be like buying a black Ferrari. We say if you're getting an Alpina, get an Alpina.

2026 BMW ALPINA XB7

2026 BMW Alpina XB7 Review

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Checking every box

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which ALPINA XB7 does Edmunds recommend?

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