For a long time, the BMW X7 has stood as the ultimate expression of BMW’s SUV ambitions. Big, luxurious, powerful — on paper, it feels like the Bavarian brand’s final answer to the full-size SUV question.
But according to BMW dealers, especially in the United States, that answer may no longer be enough.
Behind the scenes, dealers are reportedly pushing hard for something even larger — an SUV that goes beyond the X7 in size and presence, and finally puts BMW in direct confrontation with heavyweights like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. And yes, the name being whispered is BMW X9.
Why the X7 Suddenly Feels… Small
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: while the X7 is large by BMW standards, it starts to feel restrained when parked next to its American rivals.
The numbers tell the story:
The Escalade offers nearly double the cargo space behind the third row.
It’s longer, wider, and taller than the X7 — dimensions that translate directly into road dominance.
According to Kirk Cordill, president of the BMW National Dealer Forum, BMW is actively losing customers who walk into showrooms asking for something “jumbo-sized” — and leave when they realize BMW doesn’t quite offer it.
In this segment, presence matters just as much as performance.
Could Alpina Be BMW’s Secret Weapon?
One of the more intriguing ideas coming from dealers is to use Alpina as the gateway into this territory. Now fully under BMW ownership, Alpina represents the perfect blend of luxury, exclusivity, and subtle excess.
An Alpina-branded SUV could justify:
The massive dimensions
The premium pricing
And the ultra-luxury positioning
—all without turning BMW into something it’s not. Think Escalade scale, but with European restraint and craftsmanship.
X9, or Something Else Entirely?
So far, BMW has made no official confirmation that an X9 is in development. But pressure from dealers is building, and the timing is hard to ignore. The full-size luxury SUV segment is booming, and profit margins are among the highest in the industry.
There’s also talk of a long-wheelbase version of the XM as a possible alternative — but many believe a clean-sheet X9 would send a far clearer message.
ArabGT’s Take
In our region, size carries real weight — socially, visually, and emotionally. If BMW decides to go beyond the X7, it wouldn’t just be chasing the Escalade. It would be tapping directly into what Gulf buyers value most: space, presence, and prestige, without giving up the unmistakable BMW driving feel.
At this point, the real question isn’t whether BMW should build something bigger than the X7 —
it’s how long the brand can afford not to.
