2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and boasted more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 also offered advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570 and had a significant visual presence compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the X7's appeal was subjective, as personal preference played a significant role in this segment.

The X7 was available in three versions: the xDrive40i, M50i, and Alpina BX7, with starting prices of $74,900, $99,800, and $141,300, respectively. The xDrive40i test vehicle was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium extended leather, and a trailer hitch, among other features, bringing its total cost to $91,745. The X7's massive grille was a defining feature, fitting well with its large SUV stature, and its styling was both appealing and reflective of traditional BMW design cues. Inside, the X7 shared similarities with the X5, offering high-tech design, quality materials, and mostly intuitive controls.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, on the other hand, retained its classic styling, with a body shell that had seen only minor updates over the years. The GX featured Lexus' signature spindle grille, updated in 2020, and triple-beam LED headlights. While the 2021 model didn't introduce new styling changes, it did offer silver 18-inch wheels as standard on the Premium trim. The GX's design was coherent despite its age, and its aggressive look appealed to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior fell short of modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. Leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X7 featured eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite this, the X7's fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power for various driving scenarios.

The X7's driving experience was smooth and serene, with features like the Dynamic Handling Package and Active Comfort Drive system enhancing ride quality. The SUV's nearly 5,400-pound curb weight was noticeable on highways, but it maintained effortless speed and fluidity. The X7's eight-speed sport automatic transmission was praised for its performance, and the SUV offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Dynamic Handling Package's M Sport brakes provided reliable stopping power, making the X7 a capable and enjoyable vehicle to drive.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The V8 engine provided sufficient power for initial acceleration, but the GX's 5,130-pound weight was evident at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The GX's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners.

Despite its traditional SUV driving experience, the GX excelled in off-road capability. It featured a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids for off-road driving. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and multi-view camera system. The GX offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, making it a strong contender for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was a testament to luxury, with features like the Cold Weather Package, Luxury Seating Package, and premium Merino leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was exceptional, with heated seats, armrests, and steering wheel as standard. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, though the long rear doors could pose challenges in tight parking spaces. The X7's four-zone automatic climate control system ensured individual comfort, with an available five-zone system for third-row occupants. The third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required some maneuvering of the power seats.

The X7's cargo space was limited with the third-row seat in use, but folding it down revealed 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. While these figures were not class-leading, the X7 offered a balance of passenger comfort and cargo capacity.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. The GX's boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX's analog controls were a welcome departure from touchscreen-centric interfaces, offering ease of use for climate and seat controls.

The GX came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers. The third row was best suited for children, as accessing it was challenging due to the second-row seats. The GX offered more first-row legroom than some competitors, but overall space was limited. Cargo capacity was also restricted, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The third row's presence significantly reduced cargo space, making the GX more suitable as a two-row SUV with occasional third-row use.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured advanced technology, including the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system with navigation. Both systems utilized a 12.3-inch display, with iDrive's touchscreen offering a user-friendly experience. The 2021 model gained Android Auto compatibility, joining Apple CarPlay, and included enhanced SiriusXM 360L with a one-year subscription. The Connected Package Pro provided accurate traffic data, real-time parking information, and three months of WiFi hotspot access.

The X7 also offered wireless smartphone charging, a natural voice-recognition system, and gesture control, though the latter was inconsistent. The "Hey BMW" voice recognition was praised for its speed and accuracy. While the iDrive system was intuitive, it could be distracting to navigate while driving. The test vehicle included a head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were absent. The GX offered two USB ports for the first two rows, with none for the third row. An available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided premium sound quality.

The GX's infotainment system was basic, with outdated graphics and limited functionality. A separate display for time and temperature used a digital clock format, which felt out of place in a luxury vehicle. However, the GX's analog controls for various functions were a refreshing change from touchscreen interfaces, offering ease of use for drivers.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included Active Driving Assistant Pro, which offered features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The system provided a smooth and trustworthy driving experience, though there were occasional issues with lane-maintenance technology in certain situations.

The Parking Assistance Package expanded the X7's safety offerings with semi-automated parallel parking assist, a surround-view camera, and a drive recorder system. Overall, the X7's safety technology was impressive and contributed to a stress-free driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle of driver aids. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

However, the GX missed out on some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. While the GX offered a solid set of standard safety features, it lagged behind in terms of advanced safety technology.