As a long-time BMW enthusiast and content creator for cardiagnosticnearme.com, I recently traded my 2022 Bmw X7 40i for the updated 2024 40i LCI. Having spent over a month with the new model, I wanted to share a detailed owner’s review, highlighting both the pluses and, importantly, the gripes I’ve encountered in this upgrade. While I remain a dedicated BMW fan – this is my eighth BMW – it’s crucial to provide an honest assessment for those considering a similar move or contemplating purchasing a 2022 BMW X7. This review aims to offer a comprehensive look at the nuances between these models, focusing on real-world driving experiences and feature changes. For those simply seeking basic transportation, alternatives like Toyota or Mazda might suffice, but for drivers who value quality and the unique BMW driving experience, the X7 remains a compelling choice.
Gripes: Areas Where the 2024 BMW X7 LCI Falls Short
My primary concerns with the 2024 LCI model center around technology regressions and perceived cost-cutting measures compared to my 2022 BMW X7.
1. Comfort Access Deletion on Rear Doors: A Step Backwards
The removal of comfort access pads on the rear door handles is perplexing and feels like a cost-saving decision. Being able to lock and unlock the doors from any handle was a seamless convenience I greatly appreciated on my 2022 BMW X7 and previous X5 models. Even my husband’s Audi retains this feature. It’s one of those features that becomes indispensable once you’ve experienced it, making its absence in the 2024 model a noticeable downgrade in daily usability.
2. Interior Door Panel Button Downgrade
Another seemingly cost-driven change is the replacement of brushed aluminum lock/unlock buttons on the interior door panels with black plastic ones. In my 2022 BMW X7, these aluminum buttons felt like a subtle but tangible upgrade from the plastic buttons in my older X5. This shift back to plastic in the 2024 model feels like a minor but noticeable decrease in interior refinement. Again, there appears to be no functional reason for this change, pointing towards cost reduction.
3. Seat Cooling Linked to Climate Control: An Annoying Tech Oversight
The integration of seat cooling controls into the iDrive system, making it dependent on the climate control being active, is a significant annoyance. Previously, with dedicated buttons in my 2022 BMW X7, seat cooling could be activated independently of the climate control system. Now, to use seat cooling or heating, the entire climate control system must be engaged. This is inconvenient when you desire seat ventilation without necessarily needing the air conditioning or heating, suggesting a flaw in the technical implementation of the new iDrive controls.
4. Climate Control Simultaneous Adjustment Issue
A minor but noticeable user interface issue is the inability for driver and passenger to simultaneously adjust their respective climate control temperatures. During a drive with my husband, attempting to adjust my temperature setting interrupted his adjustment, which was not an issue with the physical buttons in the 2022 BMW X7. This suggests a potential software limitation in the new system.
5. Rear Camera Toggle Removal: A Parking View Constraint
The inability to toggle between front and rear camera views while in Drive is a surprising regression. In my 2022 BMW X7 and all prior BMWs, switching between front and rear parking views was seamless, regardless of gear selection. Now, even tapping the camera icon on the display seems to lock the view to either the front (in Drive) or rear (in Reverse). This makes quickly checking the rear view while moving forward, for example in tight parking situations, unnecessarily cumbersome. The camera icon’s dual front/rear facing design further implies a toggle function that is no longer fully realized.
6. Random HUD and Instrument Panel Content Loss: iDrive Bug?
Perhaps the most concerning issue is the random loss of content in both the Heads-Up Display (HUD) and instrument panel. On several occasions in the first month of ownership, the map view in the instrument cluster and directional view in the HUD would disappear, reverting to only displaying speed. While temporarily resolved by switching drive modes or fully restarting the car, this intermittent issue points to a potential iDrive software bug. Hopefully, this will be addressed in a future over-the-air (OTA) update, as similar issues have been reported by other users.
7. Resolved – CarPlay Connectivity: OTA Update Success
Initially, like many others, I experienced intermittent CarPlay connectivity issues. However, thankfully, the latest OTA update appears to have resolved these problems, and connectivity has been stable since.
8. 22” Wheels and Summer Tires: Ride Comfort Compromise
The 22-inch wheel option, especially when paired with the M-Sport Package, comes exclusively with summer tires. This necessitates planning for a winter tire solution for those in colder climates. While I was able to find a suitable winter tire option thanks to online forums, it’s something to be aware of. Furthermore, the ride quality on the 22” summer tires is noticeably firmer and harsher compared to the 2022 BMW X7, which I attribute to both the larger wheel size and summer tire compound. Switching to non-run-flat, all-season tires is planned, which should improve ride comfort. The rapid wear and high cost of the Pirelli P-Zero run-flat tires, coupled with their vulnerability to road imperfections, make them less than ideal for everyday driving.
9. Ambient Lighting: More Colors, Same Limited Customization
While the 2024 BMW X7 LCI finally offers a wider range of ambient lighting colors, the customization options remain limited. The ability to independently control the color of the X7 chevron pattern and the door/floor mood lighting, as was somewhat possible previously with blue/white combinations, would be a welcome enhancement.
10. Adaptive Mode Removal: Comfort Mode Assumption?
The removal of the Adaptive driving mode raises questions about its replacement. It’s unclear if Comfort mode now encompasses the adaptive functionalities, particularly regarding the adaptive air suspension and its automatic lowering at higher speeds. Further clarification from BMW on this change would be beneficial.
11. Sensafin “Vegan Leather”: A Noticeable Material Shift
The introduction of Sensafin, BMW’s “vegan leather,” is a clear departure from traditional leather. While marketed as a premium alternative, it’s a noticeable difference, both in feel and scent, compared to genuine leather in my 2022 BMW X7. While Sensafin is comfortable and arguably the best example of synthetic leather available, it lacks the distinct characteristics of real leather. Interestingly, even higher-spec M60 models are frequently configured with Sensafin, suggesting a broader shift in BMW’s interior material strategy.
Pluses: Improvements in the 2024 BMW X7 LCI
Despite the gripes, the 2024 BMW X7 LCI does offer some notable improvements.
1. Harman Kardon Sound System Returns: Audio Quality Restored
The return of the Harman Kardon (HK) sound system is a significant positive. My 2022 BMW X7, due to chip shortages at the time, was equipped with the base BMW Hi-Fi system, which was a major disappointment in audio quality. The Hi-Fi system was noticeably inferior, making even listening to podcasts unpleasant, especially with the sunroof open. The HK system in the 2024 model is a welcome and substantial upgrade, restoring the expected audio quality for a vehicle in this class.
2. Enhanced Comfort Access with iPhone Wallet: Keyless Convenience Perfected
The enhanced Comfort Access, now functioning seamlessly with the iPhone Wallet card as a key, is a significant improvement. While phone-based access can be slightly less convenient when quickly accessing the car in the garage without keys, the new wallet card functionality is excellent. It operates without needing to make contact with the door handle, offering truly keyless entry and operation.
3. iDrive Display: Modern and Visually Appealing
The new combined iDrive display is well-executed and visually modernizes the interior. While the loss of physical buttons is a common point of discussion, BMW has generally done a commendable job with the integrated display. The updated font style is more contemporary, contributing to a more up-to-date user experience.
4. Power Increase: Noticeable Performance Boost
The 2024 BMW X7 40i boasts a noticeable increase in power compared to the 2022 model. Coming from a 2019 X5 50i to the 2022 X7 40i, there was a perceived power trade-off. The 2024 model addresses this with enhanced performance. The inclusion of a “SPRINT” mode, a new feature, further underscores this performance focus, although I have yet to personally test it.
Conclusion: 2022 BMW X7 vs. 2024 BMW X7 LCI – A Mixed Bag
Trading my 2022 BMW X7 for the 2024 LCI model has been a mixed experience. While the 2024 BMW X7 offers improvements in power, audio, and technology interface, it also presents some frustrating regressions, particularly in comfort and convenience features that were present in the 2022 model. For those considering a 2022 BMW X7, it remains a strong contender, especially given potential price advantages in the used market. However, weighing these pros and cons against the allure of the updated 2024 model is crucial in making an informed decision. Ultimately, while BMW continues to iterate and improve in many areas, some changes in the 2024 X7 LCI feel like steps backward rather than forward.
