BMW X7 SUV - Reliability & safety
BMW's reliability record has faltered of late, but the X7 is loaded with safety kit
According to our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, BMW owners will need some convincing that the brand is at the top of its game, after a poor result for reliability. Viewed in isolation, its latest SUV feels solid and impeccably well built, but like any flagship SUV, it's also hugely complex.
Part of this complexity is down to its numerous safety systems, but these will certainly provide reassurance to anyone fortunate to be driven in BMW's limo-like SUV.
BMW X7 reliability
It's not easy to judge the X7's reliability, but BMW already has some work to do in this area generally if our Driver Power survey is anything to go by. The manufacturer came a respectable 16th out of 29 brands, although a worrying 23% of owners told us their BMW developed a fault within the first 12 months. Still, BMW has lots of SUV know-how and the engines featured in the BMW X7 have already been proven in other models like the smaller BMW X5. BMW’s ranking is also five places higher than in 2021, not to mention above Audi and Mercedes – however, it's a couple of places behind Land Rover.
Safety
BMW has pulled no punches when it comes to safety technology and driving aids, fitting the X7 with active cruise control and autonomous emergency braking (that can recognise pedestrians) as standard. You can also choose to upgrade the cruise control so that it can essentially take over in heavy traffic on well marked roads. A plethora of cameras and aids should also make parking the big X7 a lot less stressful.
