Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2021 Tesla Model X

The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model X doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model X doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The X7 has standard Post-Crash Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Model X doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X7’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model X doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X7 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X7’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model X doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The X7’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The X7 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model X doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the X7 and the Model X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model X’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model X.

There are almost 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X7’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X7’s reliability 31 points higher than the Model X.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 third among large premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Model X isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 34th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 13 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The X7 xDrive40i’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 525.6 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model X’s range is only 371 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 15 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

Both the X7 and the Model X have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All X7s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model X:

The X7 stops shorter than the Model X:

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the Model X (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:275/45R20). The Alpina XB7’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model X (F:285/35R23 & R:325/30R23 vs. F:265/35R22 & R:285/35R22).

The Alpina XB7’s optional 325/30R23 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Model X’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Model X. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Model X.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model X doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model X; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The X7 Alpina has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Model X doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Alpina XB7 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Tesla doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Model X.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Model X (122.2 inches vs. 116.7 inches).

The X7 xDrive40i handles at .86 G’s, while the Model X pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Model X (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The X7 has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row legroom and 7.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Model X.

The X7’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Model X 6-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Model X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Model X’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X7’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model X doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The X7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model X’s (5950 vs. 5000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Tesla Model X is only 5000 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Model X w/22” wheels can only tow 3480, any X7 can tow a minimum of 5950 pounds.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the X7 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model X.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model X, the X7 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X7’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model X’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X7 has a standard rear wiper. The Model X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The X7’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model X doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X7 has standard extendable sun visors. The Model X doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Model X doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X7 has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Model X doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The X7 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model X.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.