The 2028 BMW X7 Could Be BMW’s Cleanest Big SUV Yet
BMW’s design language is in the middle of a noticeable transition (again), but not every model has received the full Neue Klasse treatment yet. So far, that honor belongs mainly to the new iX3 EV and a handful of forward-looking concepts. If any BMW feels overdue for a rethink, it is the X7. Launched back in 2019 and updated only once since, BMW’s flagship SUV is nearing the end of its lifecycle, and has been ridiculed for its looks since day one. New renders from digital artist @kelsonik now give us a convincing look at what the next-generation, set to arrive in 2028, could look like, and they line up closely with recent spy shots of the camouflaged iX7.
A Familiar Shape With Sharper Edges
Instagram @kelsonik
At first glance, the rendered X7 doesn’t stray far from the current model’s proportions, which is probably exactly what BMW intends. Sitting at the top of the brand’s SUV lineup alongside the XM, the X7 competes directly with luxury heavyweights like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Audi RS Q8. @kelsonik’s render, which depicts the sportier X7 M60 variant, keeps the tall, upright stance intact while cleaning up the surfaces and tightening the details. The split headlight layout remains, now thinner and more precise, while the kidney grille grows taller and more upright, echoing BMW’s newer performance models. Subtle performance cues hint at the M60 identity, including quad exhaust tips and a more assertive front bumper. Interestingly, the wheels appear identical to those seen on the iX3, reinforcing BMW’s current habit of sharing design elements across its lineup.
Neue Klasse Influence Without the Shock Factor
Instagram @kelsonik
One of the most appealing aspects of this render is how restrained the Neue Klasse influence feels. Rather than leaning into exaggerated shapes or controversial proportions, the 2028 BMW X7 shown here adopts smoother body sides and a slightly more squared-off silhouette. The rear design is where BMW’s new thinking becomes more obvious. The taillights are larger and more angular, closely aligned with recent Neue Klasse concepts, and the tailgate design appears cleaner and more seamless, similar as well. Fortunately, the X7’s practical split tailgate remains intact. Small details matter too, especially for a brand like BMW that obsesses over them. The company has even gone as far as patenting a roundel-shaped screw head recently, a reminder that BMW can pay attention to the small things – as long as it makes them money.
A Realistic Look at BMW’s Flagship Future
We’ve seen countless renderings of the new BMWs. But what makes @kelsonik’s work stand out is how believable it is. It’s not a shock-value concept, and it follows BMW’s next-generation design language. We can only hope that the 2027 BMW X5 gets the same treatment. If the production model mirrors this design closely, the 2028 BMW X7 could become one of the brand’s more broadly accepted redesigns in recent memory. Sure, it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as a BMW M2, but it looks surprisingly good for an SUV. We might even go as far as saying it’s pretty, wouldn’t you agree?
