The first question you might have is simply why? Why has BMW radically rethink its classic quad headlight design – something that has been core to its design DNA in its largest cars for decades. Or perhaps more pointedly why has BMW followed other automakers (such as Jeep and Hyundai) in obscuring headlights and then adding slim LEDs above? It’s an approach that we’ve seen so many times on crossovers in the last decade that some automakers have even moved past it. To answer these questions we went hands-on with the new 2023 BMW X7 while speaking to the very people responsible for the redesign. Here’s what we learned.

To dwell on those headlights misses the big picture of the new strategy that BMW has for the X7 and all future luxury products.

The 2023 BMW X7 is a thorough refresh of an already successful product. Just three years into its lifecycle, the X7 has far exceeded BMW’s expectations of sales and as at times even flirted with eclipsing the entire MINI brand’s sales in the US. But BMW is constantly moving and evolving as a brand. One of those more recent evolutions was leaning into luxury and separating the highest end segments from it’s smaller, more affordable products. And part of that is creating a distinct face of luxury and sophistication. Queue the 2023 BMW X7.

The front fascia is a big change. But in person the scale of the car combined with the dimensionality of the front altered our immediate impressions. In short the new look works on the X7 primarily because it’s such a large vehicle and one that is inherently extroverted. The new layout actually has a shrinking effect to the front of the car in terms of height and appears to give it a more angular, emotional look. While it won’t be to everyone’s taste, this new direction for the X7 is truly best judged in person.

Inside the most obvious add is the IX’s large curved dual display design. But look past that and you’ll see a radically rethought air vent system that is a total rethink of a design perspective. Add to that the new pattern that we see in the upper vents and even speaker grilles and BMW has tried to create a bit more character in the cabin. It’s an interesting mix of minimalism with in your face patterns and type that bring it up to par with the just released iX.

The 2023 BMW X7 looks and feels distinct in the luxury crossover space. Forget the headlight layout similarities to American and Korean crossovers. The execution and overall package are so different with the X7 that there’s hardly any real resemblance.

As we walked away from our time with the revised X7 we couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. In person the 2023 BMW X7 feels both parts dynamic and luxurious. The exterior design change weren’t asked for but they work and feel right for the size and positioning of the X7. Combined with revised flywheel based 48v mild hybrid engines and a new ZF 8 speed automatic, it’s hard to find a better crossover in the segment.

2023 BMW X7 Gallery