X5 or X7 with two kids

[AEG]

In the market for a 21-23 x5 or x7.
Have been doing my research but wanted opinions from people that have the x5 or x7. How practical is the x5 with two car seats ?
My oldest is 3 and have one on the way.
I’ve also looked into the x7 but I know I’ll never use the 3rd row, had a durango with the 3rd row and never used it.
Is the trunk space in the x7 significantly larger than the x5 ?
Also the reliability is it any different? They both have the same B58.
Any other added maintenance difference between the two ?
The x5 or x7 would be my daily driver, I’ve heard both are good and offer great comfort.

[jdub486]

I had an x3 m40i when we had one kid. Once we had the second kid we looked at the x5 and found it quite tight with rear facing car seats. Other than the trunk, it felt about the same size as the x3. My FIL has a 2021 x5 and it's quite tight when they have the kids. We ended up with an SQ7 audi because I could not find the right x7. The x5 rear seats have no adjustment, while our sq7 rear bench can slide, tilt, and recline.

[Alan l.]

X5 is plenty big for two kids. I had two car seats in the back and was still able to fit a small adult in between them. The X7 is bigger but do you really need that extra space is the question.

The other difference maybe is the ride quality. Not sure if the X5's could still be specced with full air suspension. I know the X7 you can.

Reliability should be the same between both. They are almost the same car underneath.

[osteome]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Not sure if the X5's could still be specced with full air suspension. I know the X7 you can.

Our 2020 X5 has "dual axle air suspension" (2VR).

I would offer to the OP that the 2021+ X5s were de-contented due to COVID shortages, so there may be other differences to be found between an X5 and an X7 of the same model year, if BMW "allocated" options to the X7, at the expense of the X5.

I remind my wife to essentially be "extra-careful" with the X5 as we could not replicate the same build today as the X5 "lost" options over time.

[ppointer]

I had a two row SUV for years with two kids. When it died, I went with a three row. Good thing, too, because then the kids started bringing their friends. I would not go back to a two row.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by ppointer

I had a two row SUV for years with two kids. When it died, I went with a three row. Good thing, too, because then the kids started bringing their friends. I would not go back to a two row.

That’s one of the reasons I’m leaning towards the x7, rather have the extra space and not use it than to need it and not have it. I plan on keeping both long term.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

X5 is plenty big for two kids. I had two car seats in the back and was still able to fit a small adult in between them. The X7 is bigger but do you really need that extra space is the question.

The other difference maybe is the ride quality. Not sure if the X5's could still be specced with full air suspension. I know the X7 you can.

Reliability should be the same between both. They are almost the same car underneath.

That’s my main concern too since we usually take road trips from AZ to CA. But day to day I wouldn’t need the 3rd row. Was the trunk in the x5 enough for you for strollers, luggage, Costco trips etc ?

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by AEG

That’s my main concern too since we usually take road trips from AZ to CA. But day to day I wouldn’t need the 3rd row. Was the trunk in the x5 enough for you for strollers, luggage, Costco trips etc ?

Definitely not!

[Alan l.]

Strollers can take up a significant amount of trunk space. All depends how big/ fancy your stroller is. Also Costco runs can vary a lot too. If you are buying toilet paper there goes your trunk space in either the X5 or X7.

Kids bringing their friends along is a real thing but that’s usually when they are older like in middle school. Most younger kids have their parents drive them where as the older kids wants to catch a ride with whoever they can lol

Alan

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Strollers can take up a significant amount of trunk space. All depends how big/ fancy your stroller is. Also Costco runs can vary a lot too. If you are buying toilet paper there goes your trunk space in either the X5 or X7.

A long time ago I switched to online ordering for all of my Costco bulk purchases like toilet paper, paper towels, etc. and simply have them shipped to my home. I save on gas money, wear and tear on my car, dealing with the maniacs driving in Costco's parking lots and have avoided the crowds and long lines inside the store.

As a result I have saved a great deal of my own personal time which is priceless.

[Bc2005]

If having space for both your kids and their friends is a priority, the X7 may work out better.

When we had two kids at home we started with a station wagon, then moved to a mini-van, and then a full sized SUV (Ford Expedition). The big SUV was by far the best choice, since it could carry the kids and luggage, and still have a good ride and handling.

Put six passengers in the Expedition, and add a Thule roof box to handle the excess luggage, and it still drove about the same as it did unloaded. Big contrast to having 6 Boy Scouts and their gear in the Chrysler mini-van, which had high cubic cargo capacity, but a light duty car suspension and a somewhat anemic V6 engine. Handling and power on van the really sucked when it was loaded.

My point - if you want to carry a lot of kids and cargo, spec a vehicle that will better handle your worst case load requirements. It’s a lot safer.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by Bc2005

If having space for both your kids and their friends is a priority, the X7 may work out better.

When we had two kids at home we started with a station wagon, then moved to a mini-van, and then a full sized SUV (Ford Expedition). The big SUV was by far the best choice, since it could carry the kids and luggage, and still have a good ride and handling.

Put six passengers in the Expedition, and add a Thule roof box to handle the excess luggage, and it still drove about the same as it did unloaded. Big contrast to having 6 Boy Scouts and their gear in the Chrysler mini-van, which had high cubic cargo capacity, but a light duty car suspension and a somewhat anemic V6 engine. Handling and power on van the really sucked when it was loaded.

My point - if you want to carry a lot of kids and cargo, spec a vehicle that will better handle your worst case load requirements. It’s a lot safer.

I won’t be carrying a lot of kids for now, by the time my kids are in middle school I will probably upgrade to whatever BMW has at the time. But for now it’ll be my daily with the wife and kids in there for long road trips. But the third row and extra space is tempting just in case you know. I’m testing driving both on Friday.

[clutchdj]

X7 has a more comfortable ride on air.
Maybe get whatever you can get the best deal on.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by AEG

In the market for a 21-23 x5 or x7.
Have been doing my research but wanted opinions from people that have the x5 or x7. How practical is the x5 with two car seats ?
My oldest is 3 and have one on the way.
I’ve also looked into the x7 but I know I’ll never use the 3rd row, had a durango with the 3rd row and never used it.
Is the trunk space in the x7 significantly larger than the x5 ?
Also the reliability is it any different? They both have the same B58.
Any other added maintenance difference between the two ?
The x5 or x7 would be my daily driver, I’ve heard both are good and offer great comfort.

I just went through this, have a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old. Debated X7 vs X5. What I came away with was there was no reason to go X7.

X7 is slightly longer with a slightly larger cargo space "mostly due to cargo area height). I keep a double umbrella stroller and my diaper backpack in the back, and have room for a run to Publix or whatever, but not a full on Costco run. Would have to take the stroller out for that.

The big size advantage X7 has is rear seat leg room, BMW built a 7 series SUV, not a larger family SUV. I'm 6'2, my 3 year old sits behind me and can push on my seat. It's annoying, but he would be able to do it in an X7 too.

Overall, IMO the X5 makes a fine family vehicle... As a secondary car. We have an expedition that's the family hauler, and without it the X5 (and X7) would be WAY too small for this stage. If we were to put our UPPAbaby Vista in the back of the X5 it would take up most of the usable space. If you have a visitor, unless they're tiny or you buy very small car seats (we have Gracos that are not), the middle seat is useless (in both - X7 and X5 are the same width). For a road trip, with a stroller, a pack n play, luggage, snacks, diapers bags, etc... you're gonna be out of space really quickly.

My suggestion is to go X5 as long as your spouse has a larger vehicle to fall back on. If not, get the larger vehicle yourself.

[BMWCCA1]

When our first child was born, we brought her home from the hospital in what was then a brand-new E30 BMW 2dr and the rear-facing seat would barely fit in the center of the back seat. Later my wife suggested a 4-door car and we got a used Euro-version 2000 sedan. When she said she thought a/c and power-steering would be nice, we got an E12 and then an E28 once we had three kids. We kept a mini-van for travel, but lived just fine with the E28 and its trunk space. Not much in the way of SUVs to choose from back then. Amazingly the kids still grew to become productive members of society. I'd still do a mini-van today over most SUVs. The slow dance the X7 requires just to get in the third-row is really frustrating and inexcusable compared to mini-vans from Honda or Toyota.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

X7 has a more comfortable ride on air.
Maybe get whatever you can get the best deal on.

It’s definitely easier to find a good mileage X5 with nice specs vs the X7. Most the X7’s I find are higher mileage 40-60k.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I just went through this, have a 3 year old and a 1.5 year old. Debated X7 vs X5. What I came away with was there was no reason to go X7.

X7 is slightly longer with a slightly larger cargo space "mostly due to cargo area height). I keep a double umbrella stroller and my diaper backpack in the back, and have room for a run to Publix or whatever, but not a full on Costco run. Would have to take the stroller out for that.

The big size advantage X7 has is rear seat leg room, BMW built a 7 series SUV, not a larger family SUV. I'm 6'2, my 3 year old sits behind me and can push on my seat. It's annoying, but he would be able to do it in an X7 too.

Overall, IMO the X5 makes a fine family vehicle... As a secondary car. We have an expedition that's the family hauler, and without it the X5 (and X7) would be WAY too small for this stage. If we were to put our UPPAbaby Vista in the back of the X5 it would take up most of the usable space. If you have a visitor, unless they're tiny or you buy very small car seats (we have Gracos that are not), the middle seat is useless (in both - X7 and X5 are the same width). For a road trip, with a stroller, a pack n play, luggage, snacks, diapers bags, etc... you're gonna be out of space really quickly.

My suggestion is to go X5 as long as your spouse has a larger vehicle to fall back on. If not, get the larger vehicle yourself.

Appreciate the response, definitely the type I was looking for.
For roadtrips from AZ to California I had a durango that did the job. While compared to the X5 and X7 the trunk space and middle seat is very similar.
Only thing I worry about is those Costco trips in the X5, once I test drive it this Friday I’ll get a better idea.
My wife has a X3 which fits the car seats well but the trunk space is not the best. Since we are both active duty military we rarely have visitors and when they do come visit they usually rent cars.
I was leaning towards the X7 for the third row but looking at it now I don’t think it’ll make much a difference trying to fit grown adults back there.

[Alan l.]

If you think the X3 trunk space isn't enough then I think you won't be impressed with the X5. Someone posted that the actual trunk size isn't that different between the two.

Interior wise the X5 is just wide enough to fit two child seats and my wife in the back seat.

Alan

[IanH]

My experience with the 2 or 3 row SUV consideration regarding kids.

Audi Q5 - barely big enough for a family road trip with 1 kid and any significant amount of gear even with a roof box, but fine for daily life up to 2 kids and travelling by plane for vacations.

Acura MDX Type S - The third row folded down gives you that cargo room you need. Can manage a family week long beach trip with all the gear and a cooler and 2 kids in car seats, just barely.

Biggest problem stepping below 3 row crossover size is the clearance for rear facing seats. MDX/X7/Q7 minimum vehicle size for no hassle rear facing seats.

[ShocknAwe]

Went through this. We have an X5 as the hauler.

My rationale: 2 kids/car seats anythink with a real back seat will work.

We have two kids in seats and a dog. They fit comfortably in the back of the X5. Cargo area available for whatever. The X5 also has an optional third row you can get.

The X7 is only necessary if youre fielding your own soccer team.

[AEG]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Went through this. We have an X5 as the hauler.

My rationale: 2 kids/car seats anythink with a real back seat will work.

We have two kids in seats and a dog. They fit comfortably in the back of the X5. Cargo area available for whatever. The X5 also has an optional third row you can get.

The X7 is only necessary if youre fielding your own soccer team.

The X5 does sound better for my day to day routine. It’s only the wife, kids and myself.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by AEG

Appreciate the response, definitely the type I was looking for.
For roadtrips from AZ to California I had a durango that did the job. While compared to the X5 and X7 the trunk space and middle seat is very similar.
Only thing I worry about is those Costco trips in the X5, once I test drive it this Friday I’ll get a better idea.
My wife has a X3 which fits the car seats well but the trunk space is not the best. Since we are both active duty military we rarely have visitors and when they do come visit they usually rent cars.
I was leaning towards the X7 for the third row but looking at it now I don’t think it’ll make much a difference trying to fit grown adults back there.

You're not putting grown adults in the back of an X7, lol.

If your wife has an X3, you're going to be disappointed by X5. It's just that little bit bigger, but much nicer. For me, I went in looking at X3M, and couldn't fit the kids behind me at all.