The BMW X7 is the seven-seat sibling of the X5, built alongside it at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and stretched to fit a third row.
In 2025 form both 40i models use the same 375 hp turbocharged inline-six, and the X5 also came as a plug-in hybrid. For 2027 the X5 moves to a new generation with more power, while the X7 carries over.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 X7 is 9.3 inches longer than the X5 and 3.5 inches taller, on a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer.
- Seven seats against five. The X7 seats six with optional second-row captain’s chairs, and the X5 seats five.
- Same 375 hp in the 40i models, with the X5 xDrive40i reaching 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and the X7 xDrive40i in 5.6.
- The X5 started about $18,000 lower, from $65,700 for the sDrive40i against $83,500 for the X7 xDrive40i.
- Only the X5 offered a plug-in hybrid, the 483 hp xDrive50e, with 39 miles of EPA-rated electric range.
- The 2027 X5 is all new, at 394 hp from $69,800, and no M60i is listed for it yet.
Size and Seating
Compared with the X5, the X7 adds 9.3 inches of length and 5.1 inches of wheelbase, room it uses for a third row and a longer cargo area. It seats seven as standard or six with the second-row captain’s chairs. BMW lists the 2025 X5 with five seats.
| Measurement | 2025 BMW X5 | 2025 BMW X7 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.3 in | 203.6 in | X7 +9.3 in |
| Width (without mirrors) | 78.9 in | 78.7 in | X5 +0.2 in |
| Height | 68.7 in | 72.2 in | X7 +3.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 117.1 in | 122.2 in | X7 +5.1 in |
| Seating | 5 | 7, or 6 with captain’s chairs | X7 +1 or 2 |
| Maximum cargo | 72.3 cu ft | 90.4 cu ft | X7 +18.1 cu ft |
| Cargo behind second row | not listed by BMW USA | 48.6 cu ft | |
| Towing | 7,200 lb | 7,500 lb | X7 +300 lb |
Width is the one measurement where the X5 comes out ahead, by 0.2 inch.
Power, Acceleration and Fuel Economy
Both 40i models run BMW’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system at 375 hp. Carrying the X7’s longer body, it reaches 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, and the X5 xDrive40i takes 5.2.
The M60i models share a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 at 523 hp.
BMW claims 4.2 seconds to 60 mph for the X5 M60i and 4.5 for the X7 M60i.
| Model | Power | 0-60 mph | EPA combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| X5 sDrive40i | 375 hp | 5.3 sec | 25 mpg |
| X5 xDrive40i | 375 hp | 5.2 sec | 25 mpg |
| X5 xDrive50e (plug-in hybrid) | 483 hp | 4.6 sec | 22 mpg on gas, 58 MPGe |
| X5 M60i | 523 hp | 4.2 sec | 19 mpg |
| X7 xDrive40i | 375 hp | 5.6 sec | 22 mpg |
| X7 M60i | 523 hp | 4.5 sec | 18 mpg |
Price
For 2025, the X5 sDrive40i started at $65,700 and the X7 xDrive40i at $83,500, a gap of $17,800. Between the two V8 models the gap was $20,900, at $90,000 for the X5 M60i and $110,900 for the X7 M60i.
| Model | 2025 base MSRP |
|---|---|
| X5 sDrive40i | $65,700 |
| X5 xDrive50e | $73,100 |
| X5 M60i | $90,000 |
| X7 xDrive40i | $83,500 |
| X7 M60i | $110,900 |
The X5 Plug-In Hybrid
In the xDrive50e, the inline-six works with an electric motor for 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. The EPA rates it at 39 miles on electricity and 58 MPGe, and it reaches 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, quicker than either 40i.
What Changes for 2027
BMW introduced a new-generation X5 on June 30, 2026. Its inline-six now makes 394 hp and 428 lb-ft, and BMW claims 5.1 seconds to 60 mph for the X5 40 models. The plug-in X5 50e xDrive keeps 483 hp with a 26.5 kWh battery and an estimated 44 miles of electric range.
Prices for 2027 start at $69,800 for the rear-drive X5 40, $72,100 for the X5 40 xDrive and $77,500 for the X5 50e xDrive, each plus $1,450 destination. An electric iX5 joins at $79,800.
BMW lists the new X5’s cargo space at 27.3 to 67.7 cubic feet and its towing at 7,710 pounds. Its wheelbase grows 2.4 inches. No M60i appears in the 2027 lineup, and BMW says a V8 M Performance model arrives later in 2027.
For 2027 the X7, whose reliability record runs back to 2019, carries over at 375 hp for the xDrive40i and 523 hp for the M60i. Prices rise to $87,500 and $115,000, plus $1,550 destination, and EPA combined ratings improve to 22 and 19 mpg.
Which One to Buy
For 2025, the X7 earns its $17,800 premium when a third row or 18 more cubic feet of maximum cargo space gets used. The X5 is quicker in both six-cylinder and V8 form, gets 3 more mpg as a 40i, and was the only one of the two sold as a plug-in hybrid. Shoppers comparing a new 2027 X5 with a 2025 X7 should note that the 2027 X5 lists less maximum cargo space than the 2025 X5 did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the BMW X5 and X7?
The 2025 X7 is 9.3 inches longer and 3.5 inches taller than the X5 and seats seven instead of five. Both 40i models use the same 375 hp inline-six, and the X5 also came as a plug-in hybrid.
Is the X7 wider than the X5?
BMW lists the 2025 X5 at 78.9 inches wide without mirrors and the X7 at 78.7, so the X5 is 0.2 inch wider.
Is the X7 bigger than the X5?
Yes. The 2025 X7 is 203.6 inches long against 194.3 for the X5, rides on a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer and offers 90.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space against 72.3.
Does the BMW X5 have a third row?
BMW lists the 2025 and 2027 X5 with five seats in the United States. The X7 is the BMW SUV with a third row.
Which is faster, the X5 or the X7?
The X5. With the same 375 hp, the 2025 X5 xDrive40i reaches 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and the X7 xDrive40i in 5.6, and the X5 M60i beats the X7 M60i by 0.3 second.
How much more does the X7 cost than the X5?
In 2025, the X7 xDrive40i started $17,800 above the X5 sDrive40i, and the X7 M60i $20,900 above the X5 M60i, before destination.
Which tows more, the X5 or the X7?
BMW rates the 2025 X7 at 7,500 pounds and the 2025 X5 at 7,200. The 2027 X5 rises to 7,710 pounds.
Is the BMW X7 a good family SUV?
It seats seven, or six with captain’s chairs, and holds 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row. The X5 seats five. Other options are in my guide to the best luxury three-row SUVs.
What changed on the 2027 X5?
It is a new generation with 394 hp, a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase, an electric iX5 alongside it, and prices from $69,800. BMW lists no M60i for 2027 yet.
Is there a plug-in hybrid X7?
BMW sells the plug-in hybrid only in the X5, as the xDrive50e for 2025 and the X5 50e xDrive for 2027.
The manufacturer provided the vehicle, a 2025 BMW Alpina XB7, and it supplied the photography published here. No driving evaluation informed this article.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
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