2023 BMW Alpina XB7 Review: The Ultimate Three-Row BMW
The X7 is one Bimmer that doesn't get the full-fat M treatment, and since its primary focus is to be luxurious and comfortable rather than excessively forceful, it's up to Alpina to make something magical of it. The 2023 BMW Alpina XB7 gets a slight update in anticipation of 2024's intended refresh, which includes more rapid acceleration courtesy of a tweaked 4.4-liter V8 with 630 horsepower - up by 18 hp over the preceding model. You also get new driving assistance systems and a generous dollop of connectivity features, and at $145k MSRP, the BMW Alpina XB7 comes with a healthy dose of exclusivity as standard. It may not be quite as upper-crust as the Bentley Bentayga, but it certainly gives the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 SUV a run for its money.
What's The Price Of The 2023 BMW Alpina XB7?
The 2023 BMW Alpina XB7's price starts at $145,000, before options and excluding a handling and destination fee of $995. The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 SUV is $6k cheaper, but like its BMW counterpart, ticking options boxes will see that price climb exponentially.
2023 Alpina XB7 Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 203.9 in | 122.2 in | 70.7 in | 78.3 in | 66.2 in | 67.0 in | 5,986.0 lbs |
2023 Alpina XB7 Performance
2023 BMW Alpina XB7 Handling And Driving Impressions
While Alpina's tuning doesn't focus exclusively on performance, there are upgrades made that benefit how the XB7 feels to drive. This includes standard Alpina sport suspension and adaptive damping. Rear-axle steering is also standard and makes for sharper handling. It also gets an electronically-variable active limited-slip differential, big Brembo brakes, and three driving modes, of which the Sport+ mode drops the behemoth 1.6 inches lower to the ground. While it's likely someone will push the hefty SUV like a speed demon, we're not convinced that's the best look for it - even with unnecessarily rapid acceleration off the line.
Although feedback from the steering has been mostly filtered out, the XB7 has cornering poise and body control that are wondrous for a car of this size and weight. It's not the sort of vehicle that will be pushed hard often but knowing that you can do it is quite something. These characteristics, along with the 630-hp engine that remains smooth at all times, make for a very well-sorted high-performance SUV.
The Alpina XB7 is best when carrying passengers about, though, whether that's between meetings, the school run, or on longer road trips. It soaks up bumps beautifully, while the cabin remains isolated and the ride smooth despite the large wheels.
2023 Alpina XB7 Interior
2023 Alpina XB7 Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Hybrid/Electric Components | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 8 Years / 80,000 Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
Verdict: Is The 2023 BMW Alpina XB7 A Good SUV?
The Alpina XB7 is a very niche SUV, and it costs a fortune - but somehow, it works. Like its exclusive competitors, the XB7 caters to a special market that has money to spend on a large SUV with three rows of seats, oodles of power, and lashings of luxury that doesn't have a Bentley or Rolls-Royce logo on it. We're not sure it makes sense, since a massive hauler like this has no business sprinting to 60 mph this quickly, but maybe it doesn't have to make sense. The X7 on which the XB7 is based does a fine job of pandering to comfort and convenience, and in M60i guise is plenty powerful - just over half a second slower to 60 than the XB7. Spending over $40k more for the Alpina niceties seems frivolous, but we get why you'd want one in your collection.
What 2023 BMW Alpina XB7 Model Should I Buy?
There's just one BMW Alpina XB7, but it's so comprehensively kitted out that you will only be adding extras because you want to, not because you need to. You could switch the second-row seating out for captain's chairs and add the Bowers & Wilkins sound system, since that feeds into the brief of opulence for passengers, but that's about it. Every review of the BMW Alpina XB7 says the same thing: it's bang on the money with more than enough power to get you where you want to go - and quickly, too - and to ensure you're pampered all the way. The price of the new Alpina XB7 isn't pocket change, though.