A Week With: 2026 BMW Alpina XB7

The first aftermarket tuner to work closely with BMW, Alpina’s association with the Bavarian marque goes back to 1962.

A dual Weber carburetor kit Alpina’s founder, Burkard Bovensiepen, created for the BMW 1500 worked so well, BMW’s management team offered a full factory warranty for cars equipped with it. With 40 subsequent years of collaboration behind them, BMW AG announced its intention to absorb Alpina as a wholly owned division of the company in 2022. Among the fruits of that union is the BMW Alpina XB7, which is based on the X7 SUV.

Given the prodigious nature of BMW’s M offerings, it’s reasonable to ask why the Alpina XB7 exists. After all, BMW’s M division is more than capable of enhancing the performance of the marque’s flagship SUV. However, in addition to enhanced performance potential, Alpina adds an elevated measure of comfort and luxury.

In other words, while BMW’s M offerings skew specifically toward the performance end of the spectrum, Alpina’s focus is on blending high performance with luxury and long-distance comfort. Basically, Alpina creates the Ultimate Luxurious Driving Machines. Thus, Alpina badges are currently only found on BMW’s flagship 7 Series sedan and its X7 offerings.

Interior Accommodations

Toward that end, “my” Alpina XB7’s three rows of seating were covered in hand-finished Merino leather with Alpina’s signature hand stitching. The hides were rendered in Ivory White with Atlas Grey accents and the door panels were similarly upholstered. The decidedly opulent combination left no question about the XB7’s luxurious intentions.

However, that was just the XB7’s opening ante.

A glass Alpina iDrive controller and an illuminated glass-topped gear selector complemented illuminated door sills emblazoned with Alpina logos. There was also a unique to Alpina steering wheel wrapped in hand finished and hand stitched Lavalina leather. Emblazoned with the Alpina badge, this element further elevated the interior’s atmosphere. The XB7’s digital instrumentation featured blue Alpina accents, which morphed into green when the BMW’s Sport or Sport+ drive modes were selected.

Alpina’s Walnut Nature Black wood trim added a touch of warmth to the décor. The XB7’s second-row headrests, as if not already posh enough, featured removable plush pillows upholstered in Ivory White fabric.

The Alcantara headliner was Anthracite Grey. Heated and ventilated, the front seats also provided massage functions. Meanwhile, the center armrest, as well as those on the doors, were also heated. Second-row Captain’s chairs and BMW’s Panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof enhanced the spaciousness of the palatial interior.

Comfort, Convenience & Safety Tech

A full color head-up display, wireless device charging, over the air software updates and a personal eSim with 5G capability led the XB7’s list of tech features. Messrs. Bowers and Wilkins graced the Alpina’s cabin with the sweet soulful sounds of their 20-speaker Diamond Surround audio system, while heated and cooled cupholders maintained my beverages in the manner to which I quickly became accustomed.

BMW’s connected drive services, TeleServices, and Assist eCall ensured I would be well looked after in the event of any unforeseen circumstance. Rear seat passengers enjoyed electrically deployed sunshades, which kept potential paparazzi at bay, once the soft close automatic doors pulled themselves to their frames. Meanwhile, BMW’s Digital Key platform gave me the ability to control vehicle functions such as hands-free locking and unlocking, as well as remote window and sunroof opening and closing — using my iPhone Air.

BMW’s Active Driving Assistant Pro, operating in conjunction with the XB7’s Highway Assistant, managed the Alpina’s helm with minimal effort from me on the highway. With my hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, the big BMW kept itself on task in highway situations, maintaining a set distance between itself and the vehicle ahead of it, while remaining centered in its lane — even through curves. It even accomplished lane changes on its own.

All I had to do was use the turn signals to indicate the direction and the XB7 accomplished the maneuver when the indicated lane was clear. Additional driver assistance features included forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-departure warning. And yes, all of the above capabilities were listed as no extra cost standard features on the Alpina XB7’s window sticker.

Powertrains and Fuel Economy

On the performance end of the spectrum, BMW’s S68 twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter DOHC V8, which is also employed in the X7 M60i, got revised engine management calibration and cooling.

Once modified, the engine becomes known as the Alpina Bi-Turbo V8. Key upgrades included increased boost pressure and fuel delivery, along with improved cooling circuits and heat exchangers.

These enhancements were made to ensure the engine is capable of handling sustained high-speed cruising and the heavier thermal loads it might encounter on the autobahn where speeds are limited only by the capabilities of an automobile and its driver. An Alpina-tuned stainless steel exhaust system with four oval tailpipes was also installed.

Alpina also fitted the XB7’s eight-speed automatic transmission with internal reinforcements and Alpina’s Switch-Tronic software. The software produced smooth, refined shifts, as opposed to the aggressive, hard-hitting gear changes one experiences in a BMW M application. The internal reinforcements ensured the transmission was capable of managing the increased torque output of the engine.

Power delivery of the mild hybrid powertrain’s 48V starter/generator electric motor, integrated into the bell housing of the transmission, was revised for smoother integration. The Alpina Bi-Turbo V8’s resulting 631 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque are up from the 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque the S68 produces in X7 M60i tune. The XB7’s quoted top speed is 180 miles per hour, while the M60i’s is governed to 129.

These adjustments, while improving upon the X7’s performance potential, also refined the XB7’s power delivery to be more in keeping with the sybaritic nature the Alpina nameplate represents. EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings were 16 mpg in the city, 20 on the highway and 17 overall. Those numbers proved somewhat conservative though. I saw an overall average of 20 miles per gallon during my week with the opulent SUV.

Driving Impressions

Walking up to the BMW Alpina XB7, one might expect the big SUV to be somewhat ponderous in motion. After all, this is BMW’s largest offering. But it was so not that. Exhibiting preternatural agility, the big Bimmer moved with a grace and fluidity more typically associated with Prima ballerina Misty Copeland.

And yes, I know BMW’s offerings inherently display outstanding smoothness. However, the XB7 went well beyond what is expected of the marque to stand confidently alongside the considerably more expensive Rolls Royce Cullinan in that regard.

But that’s just one aspect of its personality. Give the 631-horsepower 4.4-liter Alpina Bi-Turbo V8 its head and the XB7 launches with practiced authority. Owing in part to the fact the engine’s full 590 lb-ft of torque are available at 1,800 RPM, the Alpina delivered outsized thrust — effortlessly.

However, rather than snapping forward like a thinly disguised racing car, the XB7 pulled smoothly and strongly in a sophisticated manner in which it felt like it would continue accelerating just as long as there was open road in front of it. The Alpina XB7’s quoted zero to 60 is 3.9 seconds, which is even more remarkable when you know the Alpina XB7’s curb weight is approximately three tons.

Alpina also tuned the XB7’s air suspension system to improve ride quality while retaining the agility for BMWs are renowned. The XB7 stayed flat and cornered with precision when called upon to engage in spirited operation. But it also glided over uneven tarmac without depriving me of road feel, even while isolating my passengers from pavement irregularities. To a person, everyone who rode with me in the BMW commented on its silken nature.

In Summary

Here, I must admit I approached this BMW Alpina XB7 review with skepticism. After all, the luxurious BMW X7 is already one of the most refined large luxury SUVs extant. Plus, the performance capabilities of the M60i variant of the X7 are right up there with the best of the best in its class too. So, I wondered, how much better could the Alpina XB7 be?

As it turned out, Alpina’s enhancements do improve upon BMW’s already exceptional G07 platform. A deft blending of extreme performance, plush accommodations, outstanding comfort and technological erudition, the BMW Alpina XB7 is an executive express of the highest order. Pricing for the example I drove started at $152,400. Its price as tested was $159,145. Demonstrating yet again, the best things in life might be free—but they are seldom cheap.