The 2019 BMW X7 (G07) is the "Presidential Suite" of the BMW lineup. Origin: Spartanburg, USA. First Generation: This is the very first X7, launched to answer the demand for a true 7-seater luxury BMW. It is massive—5.15 meters long—and features the largest kidney grille in BMW history (at the time). It is designed to dominate the road and makes even the X5 look small.

Power to move a skyscraper:

• xDrive40i (3.0L Inline-6): 340 HP / 450 Nm. STANDARD The B58 engine is legendary for reliability. It is sufficient for daily use and lighter than the V8, making the nose feel agile.
• M50i (4.4L V8): 530 HP. For those who want sports car acceleration in a bus. It hits 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

• 6-Seat vs 7-Seat: You can order it with two "Captain's Chairs" in the second row (6-seat). This is the luxury spec, offering a walk-through to the rear. The 7-seat bench is better for families with three kids.
• Glass Application: The "CraftedClarity" glass gear selector and iDrive controller look like Swarovski crystal. It screams opulence.

It runs BMW Operating System 7.0 with gesture control (wave your hand to skip tracks). The Reversing Assistant remembers the last 50 meters you drove and can reverse the car out of a tight spot automatically—a lifesaver in Nairobi apartment blocks.

Consumption: 8–9 km/L (xDrive40i). It is heavy (2.4 tonnes), so fuel bills will be high.
Service: Tyres are massive (21 or 22 inches) and run-flats are standard. Replacing a set can cost upwards of Ksh 250,000.

Air Suspension: Standard on both axles. You can raise the ride height by 40mm for rough roads. However, the 22-inch wheels have thin sidewalls, so potholes on Mombasa Road are a risk to the rims.

The Driving Assistant Professional package is nearly autonomous. It keeps you in the lane and handles stop-and-go traffic. Reliability of the B58 (40i) engine is excellent; the V8 (M50i) requires more careful maintenance.

Who is this for? The CEO who finds the X5 too common and the Range Rover too unreliable.

Who is it NOT for? Introverts. The grille enters the room five minutes before you do.