2021 BMW X7 vs 2022 BMW X3

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of Los Angeles. It boasted superior interior quality compared to rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and offered more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7's technological sophistication surpassed that of the Lexus LX 570, and its visual presence was more commanding than the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the X7's appeal was subjective, driven by personal preference in a segment where emotion often guided choice.

The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, featured luxurious touches like 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium leather, and a suede headliner, with a total cost of $91,745. Its styling, characterized by a massive grille, was fitting for a large SUV, and its interior shared high-quality materials and technology with the X5, offering a high-tech design and mostly intuitive controls.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, presented a slightly more aggressive exterior design with a larger kidney grille and new adaptive full LED headlights. The rear featured redesigned taillights with a unique claw-shaped LED design. The X3 offered nine exterior finishes, including new colors like Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. Standard 19-inch wheels were paired with all-season run-flat tires, and the M Sport Package added sporty elements like larger air intakes and a rear diffuser.

Inside, the X3's cabin was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim and adjustable sport seats. The interior featured a variety of materials and color options, including SensaTec synthetic leather and premium Vernasca leather. The X3's interior was spacious, accommodating five adults comfortably, and offered a 40/20/40-split rear seat for versatile cargo space. The redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and user experience.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology added a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing responsiveness and fuel efficiency. However, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly compared to the previous year, with 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power for its size. Despite its weight, the X7 provided a smooth and serene ride, thanks to features like the Dynamic Handling Package and Active Comfort Drive system. The SUV's handling was impressive, but its size and weight were noticeable on tighter roads. The X7's braking system, part of the Dynamic Handling Package, performed flawlessly during testing.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission across all models. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i variants were equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The X3's fuel economy was slightly lower than the previous year, with the sDrive30i achieving 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The X3 M40i variant boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, offering a more exhilarating driving experience. The M40i's performance was enhanced by features like a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, and an adaptive suspension. The mild-hybrid system provided an additional 11 horsepower during acceleration but did not improve fuel economy.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious and comfortable interior, with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a five-zone climate control system, and premium Merino leather upholstery. The front seats provided exceptional comfort, and the second-row captain's chairs were equally accommodating. The third-row seats were surprisingly spacious for adults, although accessing them required some maneuvering of the power seats. The X7's cargo space was limited with the third-row seats up but expanded to 48.6 cubic feet with them folded down, and 90.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats down.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided a spacious and practical interior, with seating for five adults and ample cargo space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, allowing for versatile storage options. The X3's SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather for added softness. The redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved ergonomics and accessibility. The X3's interior was well-appointed, with features like a panoramic moonroof and a variety of color and material options.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic data and remote services. Wireless smartphone charging, a natural voice-recognition system, and gesture control were also available. The iDrive system was user-friendly, but some functions required attention while driving. The test vehicle included a head-up display, although it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with BMW Live Cockpit Plus and iDrive 7 telematics, featuring a 5.1-inch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Live Cockpit Professional upgraded both screens to 12.3 inches and added cloud-based navigation. The X3's infotainment system was customizable, with multiple control options, including steering wheel-mounted controls, voice activation, and the iDrive controller. The X3 M40i offered a Harman Kardon surround sound system and additional tech options like a head-up display and gesture control.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the 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 X7's advanced driving assistance systems were effective, although some situations revealed limitations in lane-maintenance technology. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus and a 360-degree camera view. The updated Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, active lane-keep assist, and a 3D assisted view display. The X3's safety features were comprehensive, providing a high level of protection and driver assistance.