Some of the first reactions we received after posting the BMW X7 were mocking it for being too similar to the BMW X5. The X7’s lesser sibling debuted a few months ago and it immediately became a fan favorite, as its looks, tech and driving dynamics make it one of the best Bimmers in a long time. Still, it’s not as if fans want to see BMW’s most expensive SUV looking almost identical to a car that costs far less.
So we decided to take a look at both cars back to back, to see just how similar, or dissimilar, they are. To be honest, though, while both cars share the same new design language, they’re not identical. Also, all brands share design languages across models, so it’s a bit unfair to slam the X7 for that. Still, let’s take a look at the two cars.
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From the front, these two are admittedly similar. There are differences, of course, with the X7’s Kidney Grilles being significantly larger and its headlights quite a bit slimmer, but their lineage is obvious. Though, the headlights on the X5 don’t actually connect to the grilles, even though the do get close, which helps to separate the two, even if it’s just by a bit.
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The BMW X5 is the more handsome car up front, though. It’s less cartoonish, less like a caricature, than the X7 is. It’s also far sportier, the X5, looking more athletic, even from the front.
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Out back, they look less similar. Obviously, the rear of the BMW X7 sports a silver trim bar that spans the width of the tailgate and its headlights are basically upside-down versions of the X5’s. Look deeper, though, and you’ll notice the X5 is a bit more muscular and a bit sportier. It also seems to get steeper departure angle at the back, making it a bit more adept at tackling some rough pavement. Though, neither of these are genuine off-roaders.
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In profile, the BMW X5 is sportier and tougher looking. Its wheel arches are more flared, its shoulder line more pronounced and its roofline is a bit more aggressive. While the BMW X7 is taller, more slab-sided and has a roofline that extends nearly straight, all the way to the ass end of the car, so as to accommodate third-row passengers. The X7 looks like the more practical car because it is.
On the inside, the complaints about their similarity are most warranted. The BMW X7’s cabin looks a bit like a copy-past-enlarge job. While it’s still a great looking cabin, it’s just essentially an X5’s interior that’s been enlarged a bit. Some materials will be nicer, sure, but the design is largely the same. Even the stitching on the dash is the same. For the brand’s flagship SUV, BMW could have put in more effort than that.
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Horatiu, You don’t take wrong photos for the interior, do you?
They are exactly the same, only the steering wheel and the trim that are different.
Nope. Two different photos
I believe the X7 has wood trim while X5 is metal, of course there are multiple choices. Guess they also missed your Individual article referencing Merino contrasting stitched leathers.
Lol ! Its that similar actually. It seems that the X5 team forgot to design the interiors and in hurry has simply picked the ready made design that was readily available.
Side profile: The X7 is a lifted station wagon from the 1990s.
Exterior–the X7 proportions and details are WAY better than the X5. Interior is just a mess all around. I’m sure both models will sell, but BMW has done better, design-wise, and will need to find its design-mojo again…soon.
I think the design of X7 was frozen before the new X5’s. I am surprised to see the headlight joined kidney grille in this case whereas the remaining entire X range has moved away that design element (for the good, ofcourse). Rear lights are also more similar to 7 series than the X range.
Interiors – You decide which one belongs to which car. Its that similar. it will take keenest of the keen observers to spot the difference. This will be a downer for potential X7 buyers as they will have to be contend with interiors that look borrowed from a segment below. Interiors, overall, will again be the factor where BMW will be distinctly trailing behind its competition.
Having actually seen the X7 & its interior, you are again, consistently & repeatedly wrong.
yawn !!!
‘…contend with interiors that look borrowed from a segment below.’?
The X5 a segment below the X7? I think that is a bit hash? There is EUR 5000-6000 between a X5 3.0d and a X7 3.0d that is not that much, it’s two siblings by the same parents one is a bit bigger than the other but I would disagree about the segment between them.
They are different segments. the difference is as big as what we see in case of 5 series and 7 series.
Just traded in my M4 convertible for a new X5. Had some doubt about waiting for the X7. I am biased I know… but like the X5 better. Especially from the side the X7 looks to much like a japanese SUV/Toyota Landcruiser…. En the headlight are to tiny for such a big car….
I really don’t like the oversized grilles on the 8 and the new 3, but on this X7 it makes the front end look like a badass knights helmet and works really well!
I love how they look COMPLETELY different on the exterior.
Not a fan of the nee X5 or X7 the front ends look to long prefer the 2nd and 3rd generations more