2026 BMW X7 Facelift Launch: Updated Face, New iDrive 8.5, Prices from AED 399,000
Oliver Bennett·7 May 2026·9 min read
BMW's flagship SUV gets its most significant update since the G07's arrival. The revised X7 brings a new face, iDrive 8.5 and an expanded engine lineup — without changing what makes it exceptional.
The 2026 BMW X7 facelift arrives in UAE showrooms answering the most consistent criticism of the G07 generation: the exterior proportions. BMW's designers have retuned the front and rear treatment, resulting in an SUV that now reads as more cohesive and less controversial than before.
At AED 399,000 for the xDrive40i and AED 479,000 for the xDrive50i V8, the revised X7 arrives at prices that undercut the Mercedes GLS 450 (AED 429,000) while offering superior driving dynamics and BMW's latest technology suite.
Quick-Take Overview
Design & Exterior
The 2026 X7's revised front end addresses the pronounced kidney grille of the outgoing model. The new treatment is subtler — the grilles are more integrated into the fascia, and the LED headlights now feature BMW's latest adaptive high-beam system that steers the light pattern through corners.
The rear receives revised LED units with a new graphic. The side profile is unchanged — the X7's proportions from the B-pillar rearward remain the most elegant of any large luxury SUV.
Available colours for UAE include new additions: Skyscraper Grey metallic and Aventurine Red.
Image A: BMW X7 2026 front 3-quarter view showing revised grille and LED units Caption: The 2026 X7's revised front treatment reduces the visual mass of the kidney grilles without losing their distinctiveness.
Interior & Technology
The iDrive 8.5 update — the most significant interior revision — brings a faster processor, a rearranged menu structure that reduces touchscreen interaction by 30% for common functions, and a new gesture control library.
The Curved Display (combining 12.3-inch instruments and 14.9-inch touchscreen in a single glass arc) carries over from the outgoing model. The optional Theatre Screen — BMW's 31.3-inch rear entertainment system — is now available on all UAE X7 variants, not just the 7 Series.
Standard equipment on UAE-spec xDrive40i: - 4-zone climate control - Gesture control - BMW Live Cockpit Professional - Wireless charging for front and rear passengers - Panoramic glass roof - Driving Assistant Professional
Rear seat entertainment was the headline addition at the Dubai Motor Show 2025. The 8K Theatre Screen folds away when not in use and deploys at the touch of a button.
Powertrain & Performance
UAE receives two engine options at launch:
| Variant | Engine | Power | 0-100 | Fuel (L/100 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xDrive40i | 3.0L I6 TT 48V | 381 hp | 5.7 sec | 10.5 |
| xDrive50i | 4.4L V8 TT | 530 hp | 4.7 sec | 12.7 |
The xDrive40i's 48V mild hybrid system contributes to the 10.5 L/100 km official figure — realistic in UAE mixed driving at approximately 11.5–12.5 L/100 km depending on AC load.
Pricing & Trim Guide
| Variant | UAE Price (AED) | Key Standard Features |
|---|---|---|
| xDrive40i | 399,000 | Full standard spec as above |
| xDrive50i | 479,000 | V8, M Sport, upgraded audio |
| Alpina B7 | 649,000 | Alpina-tuned V8, exclusive interior |
Optional packages: - M Sport Pro Package (AED 22,000): Carbon exterior inserts, 22-inch M alloys - Theatre Screen (AED 28,900): 31.3-inch rear entertainment - Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround (AED 18,500): Diamond-tweeter audio
Verdict
The 2026 X7 facelift is the best version of BMW's flagship SUV. The exterior revision resolves the main aesthetic criticism; iDrive 8.5 makes the technology more intuitive; and the Theatre Screen availability upgrades the rear passenger experience into a genuine luxury selling point.
For UAE buyers choosing between the X7 and the GLS: The X7 xDrive40i at AED 399,000 drives better, looks better in revised form, and offers Theatre Screen technology the GLS cannot match. The GLS is larger inside and more traditionally luxury-SUV in character.
Recommended: BMW X7 xDrive40i with Theatre Screen in Skyscraper Grey.