Sitting in the driver's seat, differences between the BMW X5 and X7 are few. Their dashboards are nearly identical, with trim, controls, and displays placed in effectively the same places.

The ultra-luxury X7 is just a small part of BMW’s plans when it comes to “Grand Klasse” models. These vehicles will be BMW’s equivalent to the Maybach range of their arch-enemy, Mercedes-Benz.

The 2019 BMW X7 is destined to be a big hit in the SUV-hungry North American market. The xDrive40i starts at $73,900, while price as tested comes in at $100,995 for the six-passenger configuration.