The BMW X7 was introduced to the BMW lineup as a full-sized luxury SUV in 2019 and has been popular with luxury SUV buyers ever since. BMW vehicles are known for their distinct styling and the X7 also has the features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what’s the towing capacity of a BMW X7?
The BMW X7 has a towing capacity between 5,400 lbs and 5,950 lbs depending on the trim level and engine.
There’s a bit more to know about BMW X7 towing which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2022 BMW X7 Towing Capacity
As we covered earlier, the BMW X7 can tow a maximum of 5,950 lbs. When properly equipped.
| X7 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Alpina XB7 | 4.4L | 3.64 | 612 hp | 590 lb-ft | 5,950 lbs / 2,700 kg |
| M50i | 4.4L | 3.64 | 523 hp | 553 lb-ft | 5,950 lbs / 2,700 kg |
| xDrive40i | 3.0L | 3.64 | 335 hp | 331 lb-ft | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
BMW X7 Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
BMW X7 Braked Towing Capacity: 5,950 lbs.
BMW X7 Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,653 lbs.
BMW X7 Towing Capacity Factors
There are two main items that determine how much weight a BMW X7 can pull: the engine and towing package selected.
The engine will determine how much power the vehicle has to pull towed weight, while the towing package includes the towing hardware, installation, and any additional modifications to the vehicle.
BMW X7 Engine Specs
The base model X7 xDrive40i has a 3.0 Liter Turbo V6.
This engine offers a max 335 horsepower and 331 lb.-ft of torque along with an automatic transmission.
The X7 M50i has a 4.4 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 with 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, which enables a higher towing capability.
Finally, the Alpina XB7 features the same engine as the M50i, but with some performance tuning that increases the specs to 612 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
BMW X7 Tow Packages
Does The BMW X7 Have A Tow Package?
The X7 doesn’t automatically come with a tow hitch installed, so you’ll need to select an option when ordering one, or install one yourself after taking delivery.
They strictly offer the option of a trailer hitch and trailer wiring harness installed at the factory.
The interesting thing is that per the X7 owner’s manual, having the BMW factory hitch installed on your M50i or Apina XB7 will actually increase the max towing capacity to 7,507 lbs !
So if you have the option to build your vehicle, this is worth the extra money to have them install it and have the increased towing capacity.
BMW X7 Towing: What Do I Need?
If you plan on towing anything with your X7, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
BMW X7 Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The BMW X7 has a Class 3 hitch.
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your X7:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
BMW X7 Tow Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your X7, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a BMW X7 trailer hitch installation:
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With BMW X7?
The BMW X7 does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame-mounted hitch.
How Do I Know If My BMW X7 Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your X7 to see if you see a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your X7.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2021 BMW X7 Towing Capacity
The 2021 BMW X7 had the same engine options as the 2022 X7 trim levels, so the towing capacities are the same.
| X7 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Alpina XB7 | 4.4L | 3.64 | 612 hp | 590 lb-ft | 5,950 lbs / 2,700 kg |
| M50i | 4.4L | 3.64 | 523 hp | 553 lb-ft | 5,950 lbs / 2,700 kg |
| xDrive40i | 3.0L | 3.64 | 335 hp | 331 lb-ft | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg |
2020 BMW X7 Towing Capacity
The 2020 BMW X7 had the same engine options with different trim level names, which spread the towing capacities across different trim levels differently.
Only the M50i trim level had the increased towing capacity of 5,950 lbs.
| X7 Trim Level | Engine | Towing Capacity |
| M50i (2WD & AWD) | 4.4L | 5,950 lbs / 2,700 kg |
| xDrive50i (2WD & AWD) | 4.4L | 5,400 lbs / 2,450 kg |
| xDrive40i (2WD & AWD) | 3.0L | 5,400 lbs / 2,450 kg |
2019 BMW X7 Towing Capacity
The 2019 BMW X7 only had two trim levels, the xDrive40i and xDrive 50i.
The 40i had a 3.0L V6 with 335 hp, while the 50i had a 4.4L V8 with 456 hp, but they both had the same max towing capabilities.
| Trim Level | Engine | Towing Capacity |
| xDrive50i (2WD & AWD) | 4.4L | 5,400 lbs / 2,450 kg |
| xDrive40i (2WD & AWD) | 3.0L | 5,400 lbs / 2,450 kg |