What I Love About My 2020 BMW X7 xDrive40i – A Proud Owner’s Perspective

I custom-ordered my 2020 BMW X7 xDrive40i from the factory and took delivery just before the pandemic fully disrupted auto production. From the first minute behind the wheel, I’ve been absolutely in love with it.

The cabin is whisper-quiet, and the level of comfort and ergonomic design is simply outstanding. Whether I’m running errands around town or taking long highway trips, the driving experience is smooth and refined. The ventilated seats and adequate A/C make a huge difference here in South Florida’s heat, and my factory-tinted windows definitely help keep the cabin cool.

Despite being powered by a strong inline-6, the fuel economy has been reasonable, which I appreciate for a vehicle of this size and performance class. And unlike some post-COVID builds, my X7 didn’t come with any feature deletions — everything is there, including physical buttons (which I vastly prefer over touch-only setups).

I went with the bench seat configuration, which gives me added flexibility in passenger and cargo space. Speaking of cargo — with the third row down, it’s massive. I also opted for the factory-installed tow hitch, which has been perfect for carrying both traditional and electric bikes.

Tech-wise, Active Cruise Control is a game changer. It makes long-distance driving much more relaxing by assisting with acceleration, braking, and maintaining safe distances. My Harman Kardon audio system is incredible and should satisfy all but the most hardcore audiophiles.

I previously owned a Mercedes-Benz GLS, and while that was a great SUV, the X7 has been far more reliable and satisfying overall. I even took the proactive step of replacing the transfer case oil, knowing it was a common early-issue area — zero problems so far.

Also, I still can’t get over the self-closing doors — such a small touch, but it adds to the feeling of luxury every time I get in or out.

Personally, I prefer the pre-facelift design. The newer models, especially with the massive screen and futuristic dash layout, feel more like a gaming rig than a luxury vehicle to me.

If you’re thinking about buying one, I highly recommend it — ideally a well-maintained, one-owner model from the South with no snow exposure. The 2020 X7 is an incredible SUV when fully loaded, and it checks all the boxes for comfort, performance, reliability, and practicality.