[Paladin1]

Nice job MT. First they underpowered the X7, then they compared BMW & MB to a segment in which they don't exist (huge American trucks). How about Volvo, or Hyundai, or Lexus, or LR?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/auto...Aac?li=BBnb4R5

[AmooManiak]

I don't see an issue here. This class is for large SUVs that ride on air where isolation is the prime goal. This is not BMWs forte. No one is buying an X7 for performance, so the i6 is perfectly fine for it and probably the engine I would go with as well in this segment.

It's just that other manufacturers have perfected isolation better - which this demographics is suited for. That's also why the S-class is considered the cream of the crop in their segment.

[TXSchnee]

I have noticed that lately size classes do not seem to matter to car magazines. They will lump the Q5 in with the Cayenne and X5, ignoring it is slightly smaller than an X3. It appears all they did was take the largest luxury SUV each make builds. They also completely ignored that the Escalade is still BOF and all the rest are unibody.

[Tenac]

The real problem here with this article is BMW does not simply have a big enough grill.

[MystroX5]

A base model X7 without DHP??? This article is a hit job as they give the Escalade it’s top V8 option which is still under powered and they also give the GLS a V-8. What is really eye-opening is the BMW base model engine with over 100 hp less is the second fastest of the group. GM’s top tier V8 on their latest Flagship Escalade is over 1/2 second slower than BMW’s base six cylinder. So what this article is really saying is they need to compare the two domestic full size SUV’s in top level trim and engines to compete with BMW’s entry level trim and base engine.


A X7 M50i with DHP and Air suspension is extremely fun and handles like a completely different animal. It’s a beast. Funny thing about full size flagship luxury SUV models and their buying demographic is you have to actually get the actual “flagship model” if you want the ultimate level experience. This also includes luxury amenities, driving performance and handling.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

How about Volvo, or Hyundai, or Lexus, or LR?

The LX570 should definitely have been in that more so than the MB and BMW and why is the Defender missing?
I see can see what the magazine is trying to accomplish but they should have used equally equipped vehicles.

[AmooManiak]

While I think the BMW is the sportiest, I think 99% of the people who buy these 3 row tanks do not care how fun it is to drive.

Their engine selection is definitely questionable, but it does help the X7 in a few instances in the comparison. At the same time, the 40i was only a couple of k less than the Lincoln (winner of the comparison.)

Originally Posted by MystroX5

A base model X7 without DHP??? This article is a hit job as they give the Escalade it’s top V8 option which is still under powered and they also give the GLS a V-8. What is really eye-opening is the BMW base model engine with over 100 hp less is the second fastest of the group. GM’s top tier V8 on their latest Flagship Escalade is over 1/2 second slower than BMW’s base six cylinder. So what this article is really saying is they need to compare the two domestic full size SUV’s in top level trim and engines to complete with BMW’s entry level trim and base engine.


A X7 M50i with DHP and Air suspension is extremely fun and handles like a completely different animal. It’s a beast. Funny thing about full size flagship luxury SUV models and their buying demographic is you have to actually get the actual “flagship model” if you want the ultimate level experience. This also includes luxury amenities, driving performance and handling.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

While I think the BMW is the sportiest, I think 99% of the people who buy these 3 row tanks do not care how fun it is to drive.

Their engine selection is definitely questionable, but it does help the X7 in a few instances in the comparison. At the same time, the 40i was only a couple of k less than the Lincoln (winner of the comparison.)

You would be wrong with that assumption. The full size luxury/performance segment is red hot. Every top luxury brand has a model just for this buyer from RR SVR, etc.. The same attraction people buy a midsize X5M, X5 M50i holds true for the X7M50i. They just want more opulence and room in their performance SUV. Anyone can build a fast sport sedan but a full size SUV that can mask its weight and size in a corner is impressive. Not to mention those that do buy the top end full size luxury/performance vehicles (+$110k) tend to own many other high performance tradition vehicles in the garage. These are now the preferred luxury vehicles that no longer want to own a full size luxury sedan. The basic/mid level people hauler segment of under $75k is ripe with options.

To take this down market in what MT did in this comparison would be like "2021 Midsize sport sedan shoot out" BMW 530i, Audi S6, Cadillac CT6. "The BMW doesnt have the handling chops as its rival in the corners but its marginal engine output was rewarded with higher MPG than its competitors.....

[Mile muncher]

Originally Posted by Paladin1

Nice job MT. First they underpowered the X7, then they compared BMW & MB to a segment in which they don't exist (huge American trucks). How about Volvo, or Hyundai, or Lexus, or LR?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/auto...Aac?li=BBnb4R5

Comparison tests like these are the reason I simply cannot trust reviewers. The X7 drives better, rides better, is just as fast as the navigator from 0-60 (or a little faster), gets far superior fuel economy, has superior throttle tuning and transmission, better infotainment, and is quieter. Yet, it somehow loses this test. Unless you need the XL proportions of the navigator, who in their right mind would DD the navigator over the X7? The navigator will definitely age worse than the X7 too. And LOL at putting an Escalade over an x7. The build quality, interior materials, and driving experience will not rival the x7.

Keep in mind this is the same publication that put the GLE over the X5.

[wtwo3]

The X7 had one of the quietest interiors (based on decibel readings) of any car this side of the Bentayga in a C&D test not too long ago. Quieter interior than even the S class. Hard to believe the Cadillac and Lincoln are quieter and more "isolated".

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...interior-test/

The other issue here is, they say the test is about luxury and not performance, but they themselves say they're "looking for a vehicle that's comfortable, with effortless acceleration and a plus yet responsive ride". Sooooo you select the i6 which is nearly 100hp below the next lowest powered car?

[MystroX5]

[AmooManiak]

Remember that you are talking to enshusiasts. Out of those my choice would also be an X7 for the same reasons. The issue is that many of the people purchasing a 3 row SUV do not see it the same.

Originally Posted by MystroX5

You would be wrong with that assumption. The full size luxury/performance segment is red hot. Every top luxury brand has a model just for this buyer from RR SVR, etc.. The same attraction people buy a midsize X5M, X5 M50i holds true for the X7M50i. They just want more opulence and room in their performance SUV. Anyone can build a fast sport sedan but a full size SUV that can mask its weight and size in a corner is impressive. Not to mention those that do buy the top end full size luxury/performance vehicles (+$110k) tend to own many other high performance tradition vehicles in the garage. These are now the preferred luxury vehicles that no longer want to own a full size luxury sedan. The basic/mid level people hauler segment of under $75k is ripe with options.

To take this down market in what MT did in this comparison would be like "2021 Midsize sport sedan shoot out" BMW 530i, Audi S6, Cadillac CT6. "The BMW doesnt have the handling chops as its rival in the corners but its marginal engine output was rewarded with higher MPG than its competitors.....

[AmooManiak]

And this is why you have to take an MSN car review with a grain of salt. Stick with the bigger guys like C&D or Motortrend, who do only this for a living. It's like buying a Burrito from an Italian restaurant. Yes, they may know how to make it but it probably won't taste good.

Originally Posted by MystroX5

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by AmooManiak

And this is why you have to take an MSN car review with a grain of salt. Stick with the bigger guys like C&D or Motortrend, who do only this for a living. It's like buying a Burrito from an Italian restaurant. Yes, they may know how to make it but it probably won't taste good.

MSN Auto is a content aggregator, they didn't perform the reivew - the actual review was done by Motortrend.

[-Vanguard-]

That new escalade is amazing in terms of tech. Def. beats out the X7. I bet the x7 drives better, but wow...when it comes to comfort and amazing tech, that escalde is seriously the top dog.

[-Vanguard-]

"Quick around town with a throaty, sporty exhaust note, the six-cylinder starts to run out of steam on the highway with just a driver on board. A full load of passengers might overburden this BMW."

Ok dude....that's complete bullshit. They guy was clearly paid to make bs claims. No one in their right mind would ever say the b58 runs out of steam on the highway with just the driver on board LOL.

That NA pushrod v8 from the escalade runs out of steam, but a turbo 6.


This reporter is a true idiot. They didn't take the BMW v8 option because they wanted to keep it luxury and not sporty, but they took the v8 MB GLS option instead of the 450 6 cyl.

Complete fool making this article.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by -Vanguard-

That new escalade is amazing in terms of tech. Def. beats out the X7. I bet the x7 drives better, but wow...when it comes to comfort and amazing tech, that escalde is seriously the top dog.

Are you kidding. Have you even seen or tested the tech in the new Escalade? No way the tech is better than the X7. I test drove the new Escalade and the tech is crap in many areas. The rear back up camera to start. It’s laggy. The graphics of the actual vehicle look like a cartoon hovering over the ground and the wheels don’t even turn in motion. I noticed it right away. It’s a joke.

Here is the tech the Escalade uses. The reviews even come out and say the tech won’t compete with the new X7. Look at around 11:17

[Mile muncher]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Are you kidding. Have you even seen or tested the tech in the new Escalade? No way the tech is better than the X7. I test drove the new Escalade and the tech is crap in many areas. The rear back up camera to start. It’s laggy. The graphics of the actual vehicle look like a cartoon hovering over the ground and the wheels don’t even turn in motion. I noticed it right away. It’s a joke.

Here is the tech the Escalade uses. The reviews even come out and say the tech won’t compete with the new X7. Look at around 11:17

I agree. I think the bmw has the best infotainment, best seamless integration of technology, likely better future AI drivers aids such as traffic light recognition, etc., and clever things like electric antiroll bars/active comfort drive unlike the cadillac. The Cadillac, according to my findings, has the following pieces of tech the X7 doesn’t: the ability to adjust speaker volume for individual passengers, fully customizable instrument cluster, a screen to the left of the instrument cluster, power running boards, and a rear view mirror camera (imo, the Germans should implement this in their suvs). Other than space wise, the BMW X7 has the Cadillac licked. This article is a new nadir for MT’s credibility.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Mile muncher

I think the bmw has the best infotainment, best seamless integration of technology, likely better future AI drivers aids such as traffic light recognition, etc., and clever things like electric antiroll bars/active comfort drive unlike the cadillac.

Audi VR cockpit alone blows away most of the tech in current G05/G07. Their chipsets are much more advanced and the processing is near instant. NVA functions better and display is more practical. Even LR/RR have better clusters than BMW currently and they tend to be the last to have good tech. Check it out.

[AmooManiak]

I absolutely agree. I saw a video of the Escalade "surround view" in action. It just looks pathetic and like a Chinese knockoff version of what BMW offers. The delay was atrocious. At first I really thought it was an aftermarket chinese version of Idrive.

I think the biggest issue is that people "Magazine shop." Many of these cars look great in pictures, but they don't feel anywhere near as solid as a BMW. Escalade keeps getting advertised as having an OLED screen, but no one mentions the laughable infotainment system. It's like playing an XBOX 360 on an LG CX TV.

I noticed the same thing with Mercedes. I got an E-class when I went on a business trip in Germany and it just did not feel anywhere near as solid as my 5er, which was 6 years older at the time. Not to mention the infotainment system, which seems to be at least a generation behind BMW. I noticed that Mercedes likes to mask their issues through shiny hardware, and many people are taken by it.

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Are you kidding. Have you even seen or tested the tech in the new Escalade? No way the tech is better than the X7. I test drove the new Escalade and the tech is crap in many areas. The rear back up camera to start. It’s laggy. The graphics of the actual vehicle look like a cartoon hovering over the ground and the wheels don’t even turn in motion. I noticed it right away. It’s a joke.

[iconoclast]

Newer plain Jane MB are not engaging at all. Very watered down. On the flip side their AMG counterparts are dialed in very well but not what they used to be however the trade off is now you get improved tech and better interiors than years past.

[jsmonet]

That's the primary reason why the gls580 is the right choice for most of the buyers--you skip the bit of harshness the gls63 adds. I'm not saying it's a huge deal for me, but that's a pretty common move.

The new escalade is definitely the best revision yet, but hopping inside you see it's a cool, wide screen of a dash wrapped in a lot of parts bin GM. It's a really solid effort, but it's not swinging in the 100k weight class.