The article title is: “BMW Remains Open to Building an Even Bigger SUV Than the X7”
The main keyword is: “BMW X7”
The main keyword appears 9 times in the article.
The main keyword density is 0.45%.
The LSI keywords are: “BMW X5”, “Infiniti QX80”, “Cadillac Escalade”, “Lincoln Navigator”.
The High CPC keywords are: “BMW X7 M60i”, “2026 BMW X7 M60i”.
BMW Remains Open to Building an Even Bigger SUV Than the X7
If U.S. buyers have proven anything, it’s that we love our giant SUVs.
Kristen LeeWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerMar 26, 2026
1 2026 BMW X7 M60i front view
There’s no question that here in the United States we looove our big vehicles, especially SUVs. If you’re Chevy, Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac, Nissan, or Toyota, you already have something in your lineup designed to satisfy our insatiable need to go bigger. If you’re BMW, not as much. For now at least.
As with most other automakers, BMW has seen great success in the U.S. market with its bigger SUV offerings, the X5 and X7. The X7 three-row luxury SUV is currently the largest vehicle BMW sells, but it seems as though the company is open to the idea of building and selling something even bigger than that.
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In a roundtable discussion in Munich, Germany, last week, senior vice president of BMW brand and product management, Bernd Koerber, acknowledged that the automaker has been exploring the possibility of a model bigger than the X7, but made no guarantees or promises that it would move forward with anything just yet.
12 2026 BMW X7 M60i rear view
“It’s still the question of whether that’s the right thing for us to do,” he said. “Probably BMW could do something that will work in that segment. I would also say yes, why not? Because we were very successful [with] X5 [and] X7. That segment is 80, 90 percent U.S. and 10 percent Middle East, more or less. Inherently, we would also like to look into something that works globally. [The bigger SUV] would be something very U.S.-specific, but that there’s a segment there: Yes, we could offer something that would fit the brand and the segment. That does not mean automatically that it will happen.”
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These remarks come after the head of the BMW National Dealer Forum told Automotive News in January that he could see a model along the lines of the Infiniti QX80, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator do very well here. If, and it’s a very big if, an SUV like that were to happen, it might wear the X9 moniker.
6 2026 BMW X7 M60i interior
There’s some online chatter about an X9, but certainly nothing set in stone. But we see where the dealers are coming from. Though the X7 is indeed very large, its third row and trunk space remain on the tight side for the segment. It doesn’t offer Escalade-levels of do-everything-ness, which is generally what U.S. buyers expect from their full-size vehicles.
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If BMW does move forward with an SUV bigger than the X7, we can’t imagine it would be able to sell it in European markets where smaller roads make massive SUVs less practical. But in the Middle East, China, and here? No problem. It remains to be seen, however, if an even-bigger BMW SUV will be too much of a problem for the automaker to actually build.
The Unmistakable Allure of the Full-Size Luxury SUV: Why BMW Might Be on the Verge of a Bold Move
For decades, the automotive landscape in the United States has been dominated by a clear trend: Americans love their big vehicles. This isn’t just a preference; it’s a cultural phenomenon deeply ingrained in our driving habits, family structures, and the very definition of luxury. While the compact car and the mid-size sedan once held sway, the rise of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been nothing short of meteoric. And within the SUV segment, there exists a distinct hierarchy, one that culminates in the full-size luxury SUV—a vehicle that represents the pinnacle of automotive ambition, comfort, and capability.
If you’re an executive at a major automotive brand, you’ve likely spent considerable time studying this trend. Companies like Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Cadillac, Nissan, and Toyota have all recognized the insatiable demand for space, power, and prestige. They’ve responded by offering a diverse range of vehicles designed to cater to this market. Yet, for a brand like BMW, a company synonymous with driving dynamics and German engineering precision, the decision to enter or expand within this segment requires a careful balancing act. It’s a move that could redefine the brand’s identity while simultaneously tapping into a highly lucrative market. The question on everyone’s mind is whether BMW, a brand known for its sporty sedans and agile SUVs, is ready to go even bigger.
The Evolution of BMW’s SUV Strategy: From the X5 to the X7
BMW’s journey into the world of SUVs, or SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles) as they prefer to call them, has been a remarkable success story. The introduction of the X5 in 1999 marked a turning point for the Bavarian automaker. It was a bold departure from their traditional sedan-focused lineup, but one that proved to be a masterstroke. The X5 combined the practicality and commanding presence of an SUV with the driving dynamics and premium feel that BMW owners had come to expect. This formula resonated deeply with American consumers, establishing BMW as a legitimate player in the burgeoning SUV market.
Building on the success of the X5, BMW continued to expand its SAV portfolio. The X3 offered a more compact and nimble option, while the X1 catered to the growing demand for smaller, more urban-friendly crossovers. However, the true testament to BMW’s commitment to the large SUV segment came with the introduction of the X7. This flagship model represented BMW’s most ambitious SUV offering to date, a vehicle designed to compete with the largest and most luxurious SUVs on the market.
The X7, with its imposing presence and opulent interior, quickly established itself as a formidable contender. It offered three rows of seating, a level of comfort and refinement that rivaled traditional luxury sedans, and the advanced technology and performance that BMW is known for. For many consumers, the X7 represented the perfect blend of luxury, capability, and brand prestige. It was a vehicle that could comfortably transport a large family, handle diverse driving conditions, and make a statement wherever it went. The success of the X7 demonstrated that BMW was not just a participant in the full-size SUV market; it was a serious contender capable of challenging the established players.
The Dealer’s Perspective: A Strong Signal from the Front Lines
The automotive industry is a complex ecosystem, and the voices of those on the front lines are often the most telling. In January 2026, the head of the BMW National Dealer Forum offered a compelling insight into the potential direction of the brand. In an interview with Automotive News, the dealer expressed a clear vision: there was a significant market opportunity for a BMW model that could compete with the likes of the Infiniti QX80, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator. This statement from a key stakeholder within the BMW network carried significant weight, suggesting that the dealers themselves saw a clear demand for a larger, more imposing BMW SUV.
The analogy drawn to the QX80, Escalade, and Navigator is particularly telling. These vehicles represent the established benchmarks in the full-size luxury SUV segment. They are known for their commanding presence, spacious interiors, and ability to cater to the needs of discerning buyers who demand both luxury and utility. If BMW were to enter this space, it would be positioning itself against some of the most recognized and respected names in the industry. The fact that dealers are advocating for such a move indicates a strong belief that the BMW brand has the equity and the engineering prowess to succeed in this highly competitive arena.
Exploring the Potential of the “X9”: A Name Without a Price Tag
The possibility of a larger BMW SUV has naturally given rise to speculation about its naming convention. The online automotive community has been abuzz with the idea of an “X9,” a designation that would logically follow the X7 in BMW’s established numbering system. While there is certainly nothing set in stone regarding the X9 moniker, the very existence of this discussion speaks volumes about the potential market appetite for such a vehicle. The X9 name carries a certain gravitas, suggesting a vehicle that would be positioned at the very top of BMW’s SUV hierarchy, a true flagship in every sense of the word.
The X9, as a concept, represents a departure from BMW’s traditional focus on driving dynamics. While it would undoubtedly inherit the brand’s commitment to performance, its primary focus would be on providing an unparalleled level of space, comfort, and luxury. This would involve a significant investment in engineering and design, as well as a careful consideration of what consumers truly want in a full-size luxury SUV. The X9 would need to offer more than just a larger footprint; it would need to deliver a comprehensive package of features and capabilities that would set it apart from the competition. The discussions around
