2020 BMW X7 Review

Have you ever looked at your partner, four children and dog and thought, "What we really need in our next SUV is a 500-horsepower V8"? If so, BMW has an ultimate Sturm und Drang-ing machine to sell you. It's called the 2020 BMW X7 M50i, and although it starts with the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 from the more sedate xDrive50i trim, it bumps the output to levels guaranteed to silence sibling arguments. Peace isn't cheap — the X7 M50i starts just north of $100,000 — but the power it places in the hands of the driver is priceless.

Now With Whiplash for Seven!

There's no doubt that the xDrive50i has enough grunt to get out of its own way. No matter how many friends, family, pets, or crates of gold bullion you load it with, its 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque guarantee effortless launches and formidable acceleration.

But as befits a BMW adorned by numerous M badges, the M50i is stronger still. There's 523 hp on tap along with 553 lb-ft of torque — increases of 67 hp and 74 lb-ft, respectively, compared to the xDrive50i. BMW says that's good for a sprint to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, besting its lesser sibling by a healthy 0.7 second. Should you decide to ship your X7 M50i to Germany for some exercise on the autobahn, know that the standard all-season tires come with a 130-mph speed limiter, while the optional summer performance tires raise the ceiling to 155 mph.

In Between Stoplight Races

If outrunning the local constabulary isn't your cup of tea, you might still be interested in the X7 M50i's other performance enhancements. Bumping power output requires more engine cooling, so the front bumper has been redesigned with larger air openings, which have the secondary benefit of giving this crossover a more aggressive look. The upgraded brakes and sport-tuned, electronically controlled rear differential from the xDrive50i's Dynamic Handling package are both standard on the M50i for better control near the limit. There are also a handful of tweaks to transmission behavior and suspension components to provide a sportier driving experience.

BMW has given some love to the cabin, as well. M badges have been liberally distributed, and you'll also find illuminated doorsill plates, front sport seats, upgraded leather upholstery and a faux suede headliner.

BMW X7 M50i Pricing and Release Date

The 2020 BMW X7 M50i will enter production in August 2019 and should start appearing at BMW dealerships a couple of months after that. Pricing starts at $100,595, including destination charges.

The M50i will set you back quite a bit, but it's actually only slightly more expensive than the xDrive50i with the M Sport package. We look forward to putting an X7 M50i through its paces to determine if it's worth the extra bucks.