[hksr]

Just out of curiosity, where does the extra space go when upgrading in size from an X5 to X7? Is there more 2nd row leg room? Or is it all just trunk space?

[Jakerx]

More trunk space/third row legroom. Second row legroom is almost identical. X7 is also taller than the X5 by a few inches which allows for a much more spacious feeling for the interior (comparatively).

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by JakerStyle

More trunk space/third row legroom. Second row legroom is almost identical. X7 is also taller than the X5 by a few inches which allows for a much more spacious feeling for the interior (comparatively).

Can the 2nd row seats move back to create more legroom there?

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by hksr

Just out of curiosity, where does the extra space go when upgrading in size from an X5 to X7? Is there more 2nd row leg room? Or is it all just trunk space?

Wheelbase
X5 rides on a 117.1-inch wheelbase and has a 194.3-inch overall length. X7 has a 122.2-inch wheelbase and is 203.3 inches long tip to tail. That difference between the BMW X5 and X7 was necessary to allow fitment of a more spacious third row in the larger vehicle.

Height
Height measures 68.7 inches on the X5 and 71.1 inches for the X7; this allows more headroom in all three of the X7's rows.

Width
Width is identical between the two, at 87.3 inches measured at the side mirrors. Shoulder room is subsequently equal in the first and second rows of the BMW X5 and X7.

1st-row
X7 offers a bit more front-row headroom at 41.9 inches to the X5's 40.7 inches, but legroom is identical at 39.8 inches.

2nd-row
X7 puts more emphasis on comfort for passengers in the second row than the X5, evidenced by its greater headroom and legroom: 39.9 and 37.6 inches, compared to 39.4 and 37.4 inches, respectively.

Third-row
X7 has 37.0 inches of headroom and 33.3 inches of legroom in the third row, while the X5 optioned with 3rd row offers only 34.9 and 29.2 inches, respectively.

Cargo
With five seats upright, the X5 and X7 offer 33.9 and 48.6 cubic feet of storage space, respectively. With all rear seats flat, the X5 can accommodate up to 72.3 cubic feet of cargo, while the X7 can accommodate up to 90.4 cubic feet of cargo.

[davecraze]

I have both. The is a huge difference in second row legroom with the bench seat in the X7 when it is pushed all the way back. It's nearly the same legroom as the g12 750 that we traded in for the X7.

[hksr]

Originally Posted by davecraze

I have both. The is a huge difference in second row legroom with the bench seat in the X7 when it is pushed all the way back. It's nearly the same legroom as the g12 750 that we traded in for the X7.

Oh ok, that's good to know. Do you happen to know if the captain's seats option have the same ability to slide the seats back as well?

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by hksr

Oh ok, that's good to know. Do you happen to know if the captain's seats option have the same ability to slide the seats back as well?

The Captains chairs do slide back as well. But many have reported (and I believe it might be in BMW literature) that the bench seat has a few inches more legroom than the Captains chairs.

[gdurhamski]

That is a true statement. Bench seats offer more legroom over the captains chairs.

[Wanderer73]

For whatever reason, I thought I could squeak by with an X5 for a family of five. It is not happening. The X7's 2nd row has significantly more room than the X5. Night and day after having my X7 for a year.

[Wild Blue]

Yes to all. 2nd row legroom is the whole reason I went to the X7 from the X5 to begin with.

... and the primary reason I'm interested in the X8

[Greg-BimmerX7]

I have driven both the X5 and the X7.

I got the X7 for a couple of reasons: 1) The extra cargo room with the 3rd row down. 2) The overall look of the exterior.

Both of them drive similarly.

[hksr]

Thanks for everyone's input. Looks like I'll be shopping for an X7 soon

[MystroX5]

Another disappointment I had with my X5 was the rear seats dont recline at all. That really combines to make the back seat space feel mid-tier.

[bradythedog12]

Originally Posted by Greg-BimmerX7

I have driven both the X5 and the X7.

I got the X7 for a couple of reasons: 1) The extra cargo room with the 3rd row down. 2) The overall look of the exterior.

Both of them drive similarly.

“Both of them drive similarly” could be #3 in your list too.

[serpentine]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Yes to all. 2nd row legroom is the whole reason I went to the X7 from the X5 to begin with.

... and the primary reason I'm interested in the X8

Is the X8 expected to have the 3rd row?

[Auricom]

Originally Posted by serpentine

Is the X8 expected to have the 3rd row?

Highly doubt it as the roof line significantly tapers down to the hatch.

[bagekko]

2nd row seats in the X5 had some recline adjustment with the certain seating option.

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Another disappointment I had with my X5 was the rear seats dont recline at all. That really combines to make the back seat space feel mid-tier.

[bagekko]

The X7 with captains chairs has less max cargo room than an X5. Since the captains dont fold flat. I hate the cargo space on the X7 when picking up big loads. Might have to get the bench seat for 2nd row if we get a X7 after current one.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by bagekko

The X7 with captains chairs has less max cargo room than an X5. Since the captains dont fold flat. I hate the cargo space on the X7 when picking up big loads. Might have to get the bench seat for 2nd row if we get a X7 after current one.

Maybe if you are looking for all out van like storage. Traveling with 4 people, the rear cargo space for luggage in the X7 is a lot bigger than the X5 and the rear passages have more leg room. That was a big reason for upgrading to the X7 over my last 2019 X5.

[davecraze]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Maybe if you are looking for all out van like storage. Traveling with 4 people, the rear cargo space for luggage in the X7 is a lot bigger than the X5 and the rear passages have more leg room. That was a big reason for upgrading to the X7 over my last 2019 X5.

That is also a major reason we got the X7. There are five of us total and two kids plus a mother-in-law three across the second row of the X7 with the bench seat all the way back is much more comfortable than in the X5, plus more cargo space.

[TXSchnee]

Originally Posted by serpentine

Is the X8 expected to have the 3rd row?

I have read that the X8 will be a 4 or 5 person vehicle with 7 Series rear leg room. If the exterior design is to my liking, it will be a contender when I replace my current vehicle.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by serpentine

Is the X8 expected to have the 3rd row?

No.

The X8 is expected to be an ultra-luxury 4 or 5 seater vehicle, with an emphasis on 2nd row passengers. Like the SAV version of the 7-series.

Designed to be a competitor to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, and Lambourghini Urus, the X8 will be the first BMW of the modern era to be build from the ground-up, not sharing the CLAR with the rest of the fleet.

I've been saying that BMW should offer a luxury 2nd row seating package for the X7, like they do for the 7-series, that would delete the X7 3rd row and give extra space and luxury to the 2nd row. Seems they'll be doing this with the X8.