As a devoted BMW enthusiast, having owned eight BMWs, including trading my 2022 X7 40i for the refreshed 2024 40i LCI, I felt compelled to share a detailed comparison. After driving the new model for over a month, this review highlights the pluses and gripes, especially for those considering an upgrade or on the fence about the latest iteration of the 2022 Bmw X7 and its successors. While some drawbacks exist, the unique BMW driving experience remains unmatched, with each new model generally improving upon its predecessors in ways that set it apart from other brands. For drivers prioritizing pure functionality over quality and driving dynamics, alternatives like Toyota or Mazda might suffice. However, for those who appreciate the nuances of a BMW, the 2022 X7 and its evolution offer a distinct appeal.
Despite my brand loyalty, this review will start with the drawbacks I’ve observed in the new 2024 model compared to my trusted 2022 BMW X7. These mostly boil down to changes in technology and areas where cost-cutting measures seem apparent.
Gripes: Areas Where the 2024 Model Misses the Mark Compared to the 2022 BMW X7
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Removal of Comfort Access Pads on Rear Door Handles: A noticeable downgrade from the 2022 BMW X7 is the absence of comfort access pads on the rear door handles. This feature, standard on my previous X5s, the 2022 X7, and even my husband’s Audi, allowed for unlocking and locking the car from the rear doors. Its removal feels like a cost-saving decision, lacking any practical justification. Once accustomed to this convenience, its absence is keenly felt.
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Downgrade in Interior Door Lock/Unlock Buttons: Another step back from the refined feel of the 2022 BMW X7 is the material of the interior door lock/unlock buttons. In the 2022 model, these were finished in brushed aluminum, a detail that felt like an upgrade from the black plastic buttons in earlier X5 models. The 2024 model reverts to black plastic, diminishing the sense of interior luxury and again pointing towards cost reduction without any clear benefit.
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Seat Cooling System Linked to Climate Control: A significant annoyance is the change in how seat cooling operates. In the 2022 BMW X7, seat cooling was independently controlled via a physical button. Now, integrated into the iDrive system, activating seat cooling or heating (including the steering wheel heater) necessitates turning on the entire climate control system. This is inconvenient when you desire seat cooling or heating without needing the full climate control, a clear oversight in the technical design.
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No Simultaneous Climate Control Adjustment: A practical issue arose during a drive when my husband and I attempted to adjust our respective climate control temperatures simultaneously. His adjustment was interrupted when I made mine. This contrasts with the 2022 BMW X7, where physical buttons allowed for concurrent adjustments, suggesting a regression in user-friendliness with the integrated iDrive controls.
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Loss of Rear Camera Toggle Functionality: A perplexing change is the apparent removal of the toggle between front and rear camera views while parking, a feature I heavily relied on in my 2022 BMW X7 and previous BMWs. Previously, one could switch between front and rear views regardless of gear selection (Drive or Reverse). In the 2024 model, the camera view seems locked to the gear – front view in Drive and rear in Reverse. Even tapping the camera icon on the display, which visually suggests a toggle function, does not override this gear-dependent view. This limitation makes it cumbersome to quickly check the rear view when maneuvering in Drive, a step back in parking assistance.
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Intermittent Loss of HUD and Instrument Panel Display: An unsettling issue encountered several times is the random disappearance of content from both the Head-Up Display (HUD) and the instrument panel. For instance, the map view in the instrument panel and directional cues in the HUD would vanish, leaving only the speed display. This issue, occurring about 5-6 times in the first month of ownership, seems to be temporarily resolved by switching driving modes, like from Comfort to Sport, or by restarting the car. This behavior suggests a software bug within the iDrive system, hopefully addressable via an over-the-air (OTA) update, as similar issues have been reported by other users.
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Resolved – Initial CarPlay Connectivity Problems: Initially, like many others, I experienced intermittent CarPlay connection drops. However, a recent OTA software update seems to have resolved this issue. Connectivity has been stable since the update, a welcome improvement.
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22” Wheels Standard with Summer Tires: A Tire Dilemma: Opting for the M-Sport Package on the 2024 model mandates 22” wheels, which, unexpectedly, come exclusively with summer tires. This necessitates planning for a winter tire solution for those in colder climates. Fortunately, community forums provided solutions, enabling me to find suitable all-season tires in the same size, albeit non-run-flat. The ride quality on the 22” summer tires is significantly harsher compared to smaller sizes, a difference even a one-inch increase makes pronounced. The anticipated switch to non-run-flat all-season tires should improve ride comfort. It’s worth noting the rapid wear and high cost of the Pirelli P-Zero summer run-flat tires, along with the general unsuitability of run-flats for pothole-ridden roads.
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Ambient Lighting: More Colors, Same Limited Customization: The 2024 BMW X7 finally offers a broader palette of ambient lighting colors. However, customization remains restricted. Independent control over the chevron pattern lighting and the door/floor mood lighting would enhance personalization. While pre-set combinations existed before (like blue/white), their utility was limited by the lack of granular control.
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Adaptive Mode Removed – Comfort Mode Assumption?: The removal of the Adaptive driving mode raises questions. Is Comfort mode intended to replace Adaptive? The implications for the adaptive air suspension are unclear. Does it still automatically lower at higher speeds, previously a feature of Adaptive mode? Further clarification on the driving mode dynamics is needed.
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Sensafin Upholstery: The “Vegan Leather” Experience: The standard Sensafin upholstery, often termed “vegan leather,” is a noticeable departure from genuine leather, especially in a vehicle at this price point. While marketed as a premium alternative, the feel and smell lack the distinctive qualities of real leather. Despite this, Sensafin is comfortable and arguably the best pleather available, becoming increasingly common even in higher-spec models like the M60, likely driven by inventory strategies.
Pluses: Improvements in the 2024 BMW X7
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Return of the Harman Kardon Sound System: A major relief is the reintroduction of the Harman Kardon (HK) sound system. My 2022 BMW X7, affected by chip shortages, was equipped with the base BMW Hi-Fi system, which was severely underwhelming. The HK system in the 2024 model is a significant upgrade, restoring audio quality to the expected premium level, making music and podcasts enjoyable even with the sunroof open.
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iPhone Wallet Comfort Access: The enhanced digital key functionality via iPhone wallet is a notable convenience. While physical keys are still necessary in some situations, the wallet card now operates as a seamless key, requiring no direct contact to unlock the car. This is particularly useful for quick garage access when your phone is readily available.
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Enhanced iDrive Display: Despite the shift away from physical buttons, the integrated iDrive display is well-executed. The combined screen is visually impressive and functional, although some gripes about the system exist as mentioned earlier. The updated font style is more contemporary, aligning the user interface with current design trends.
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Increased Power and New Sprint Mode: The 2024 BMW X7 boasts a noticeable power increase compared to the 2022 model. Coming from a 2019 X5 50i to the 2022 X7 40i felt like a power trade-off, rectified in the 2024 version. The inclusion of a “SPRINT” mode is also a new and welcome feature, offering an extra burst of acceleration when needed, something absent in previous models.
