BAIC X7

Design & Quality

Get inside, and the interior feels welcoming, with a lot of elegance that we generally see in more pricey SUVs. Something the Chinese OEMs seem to master a lot by their high-end vibes, quality, fit and finish these days. Climb inside, and the interior instantly gives off a premium vibe, like you’re in an SUV that costs way more than it does. The materials are soft to the touch, and during my drives over rougher roads, there were no rattles or squeaks, indicating superior durability. And, equally noticeable is that the material's surface is easy to clean.  At night, the ambient lighting creates a relaxed, slightly upscale atmosphere, and the dual 12.3-inch screens are smooth once you get used to them. These ventilated Nappa leather seats are one big high-end feature that helps you beat the summer heat rather well. What also makes the cabin special and appealing is the SONY audio system, panoramic sunroof, and ADAS, including blind-spot detection. Compared to segment leaders like a Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson, the X7 has more space and a luxury feel with quite a competitive price for sure.

Front Seat

The driver’s seat is quite thoughtfully done,  with power adjustment and ventilation. It felt comfortable even after hours of driving. The lumber support, cushioned, reduces fatigue, and visibility is excellent. The steering wheel is perfect, compact size, and an elegant feel, it gets a nice grip and has all the key controls. So, the cockpit from the driver’s perspective is quite a functional and practical place to be in, focusing on usability and ease of driving.

Electronic Parking Brake

One of those features you don’t think about much until you use it is the electronic parking brake with auto-hold. In traffic, when you encounter slopes, it comes as most useful, or rather a a must-have. No rollback, no juggling pedals, just smooth, worry-free stops and starts.

Rear Seat

As you might expect in a mid-size SUV, the space in the back is generous for two adults, though three can fit on shorter runs. The flat floor makes it easier for the middle passenger, and the rear vents work efficiently. The legroom, headroom, and bigger window make a better place to spend time. Then, for convenience, there is good space behind the front seats and at door pockets, with USB ports, and the upholstery and cushioning make seating comfortable.

AC Vents

The dual-zone AC does its job well, cooling the cabin quickly even under peak sun. Rear passengers never had complaints. The voice control for temperature adjustments also turned out to be useful, letting me keep my focus on the road.

Storage Options

One thing that stood out was the number of storage spaces. From the lit glovebox and deep door pockets to the under-armrest cubby and even hidden boot storage, everything had its place, be it grocery runs, bottles, and gadgets.

Armrest

Front and rear passengers both appreciated the armrests, especially on longer highway drives. It’s a small detail, but it makes the whole experience more comfortable and relaxed.

Charging Options

In today’s world, charging options can make or break family trips. With USB ports in both rows and a wireless charging pad up front, no one was left fighting for a plug. Devices stayed powered for navigation, music, or keeping the kids entertained, which is a real plus.

Boot Space

The boot size is 410 litres, not really a big one, but it should suffice for what you need on a daily basis. It can be expanded, if necessary, and it looks to handle plenty of luggage for long trips as well. It has tie-downs and a retractable cover to keep things neat, which is really handy when you have a number like a grocery run when bags usually tumble around. For a family car, this space is more than adequate, and it is surprising how well it manages weekend trips, too. Boosting its practicality credentials. 

• 6 airbags
• ABS with EBD
• Hill Hold Assist

• Hill Decent Control

• Blind-spot detection

• Lane Departure Warning

• Lane-keep assist

• AEB pedestrian

• Forward Collision Warning

• High Beam Assist

• TPMS
• ISOFIX
• 360 camera
• High-strength body

The strong impression of the BAIC X7 starts right from the exterior design. The bigger grille, finished with chrome, and those sharp LED headlights immediately catch your attention. It has that premium feel but doesn’t necessarily come onto your face. At just over 4.7 meters long, the size feels perfect, sizable enough to give it road presence and plenty of room inside, yet still manageable on city roads, including parking as well.

The 200 mm ground clearance is quite suitable for everyday driving scenarios, takes easily on speed bumps and even handles a bit of sand on the outskirts. On the highway, the aerodynamic shape pays off with a surprisingly quiet cabin, and the 19-inch alloys are a big part of completing the exterior look with a solid road presence.

Front

From behind the wheel, the sculpted hood gives a feel typical of an SUV built, and gives you that taller and confident position that you often miss on sedans. The overall front design is great, the grille, headlights, fog lights and DRLs are well thought out for look and usability too. What I particularly appreciated was how the design seems to keep dust and dirt off the lamps longer. In KSA, that’s more than just a design detail, as most of you will agree, it saves from wiping the lamps every other day. Pulling up into a driveway or stopping at a light, it has a face that subtly turns heads. It’s bold but not flashy, which is exactly what you want if you prefer understated class.

Side

Looking at it from the side, the X7 strikes a fine balance of modern design cues. The profile looks dynamic, thanks to the flowing lines, but it doesn’t come across as overly dramatic. The chrome window trims and roof rails add a touch of elegance, and the road presence stance feels confident. I found the ride height just right, and getting in and out is easier. Out on windy stretches of highway, the long wheelbase really showed its worth. The car stayed firm, and there was never a moment of nervous swaying, which you sometimes get with taller SUVs

Alloy Wheels

Those 19-inch alloys are very nicely blended into the overall design, look and their usability. They successfully strike the right balance of stylish design and everyday practicality, something you want from your car. With the 235/55 tires, grip was good both on smooth city roads and light sand stretches on the outskirts. The tires hold up well against dust and small gravel patches, keeping comfort intact. They have come across finding the balance between looks and durability.

Rear

The rear design keeps things simple, clean and at the same time modern. The wide LED taillights are not only attractive but also very visible at night, giving an extra layer of safety. The spoiler enhances sportiness, while the skid plate makes it look ready for rougher tracks. What I like the most is the 360-degree camera on higher trims. In tight parking lots, it made manoeuvring much less stressful. You simply glide into place with a clear, wide view of your surroundings. It’s the kind of feature that grows on you quickly once you’ve used it. So much of modern tech just takes off all the hassle that was associated with driving for ages. 

Colors

We drove the Pearl White version, which not only looks classy but also reflects heat well. Then there is  Grey, Deep Blue and some others.

City Performance

Driving in city traffic is quite comfortable, less stressful and enjoyable. The X7 does not feel too big, and the light steering makes U-turns and tight parking spots much less stressful. The 1.5L turbo’s power and torque figures of 188 hp and 305 Nm are okay, and when you need to merge or squeeze into a gap, it pulls nicely. The 7-speed automatic is smooth, though I did feel a touch of hesitation in stop-go traffic. On average, I was seeing around 12 km per litre, which improves if you switch it into Eco. The 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring both of which saved me more than once in crowded spots. Overall, the cabin stays quiet, the visibility is excellent, and the suspension irons out potholes in a way that really keeps the family comfortable.

Highway Performance

Out on the open road, the X7 feels stable even when you are cruising at high speeds. Overtakes are easy thanks to the torque, and I could actually carry on conversations or enjoy music without wind noise cutting in. The adaptive cruise control is a great must-have feature on long drives, taking away that fatigue. Compared to bumper-to-bumper city traffic, the fuel efficiency improves on the highway; we got about 14 km per litre on steady cruising. It is not a sporty SUV, but in Sport mode it responds quicker, and overall the drive feels refined. After a few long runs, it is fair to say it is a well-rounded SUV for inter-city trips, and you step out without feeling tired; it overall exceeds your expectations.

Ride and Handling

No compromise on ride and handling, something that a lot depends on actually buying decision, when people take the car of a test driver. Here, the X7 feels well thought out by the brand, with focus on the most vital aspects as well as minor ones, too. The suspension tuning is clearly aimed at comfort. With MacPherson at the front and multi-link at the rear, it glides over most bumps, though sharper potholes do send a thump. On mixed roads, the ride stays smooth and rolling is well controlled. Handling feels predictable and safe, with steering that is light in the city but firms up when cornering. The 200 mm clearance came in useful when I had to take on a sandy stretch, and it passed without scraping. In real-world driving conditions, the X7 feels like a family car that has been tuned to make daily life easy, and it manages to stay composed even on longer journeys.

• 12.3-inch dual screens with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• LCD instrument cluster

• Nappa leather seats with ventilation

• Dual-zone AC
• SONY audio

• Keyless entry
• Adaptive cruise
• 360-degree camera

• Panoramic sunroof

• Wireless charger
• Ambient Lighting

• Electronically Adjustable Front Seats

• Voice control

Elite

The base variant is decently loaded, with LED lights, dual screens, adaptive cruise, and everything comes under the essentials bracket..

HONOR

This is the one where the X7 starts feeling premium, and more loaded, like the ventilated seats, a sunroof, and wireless charging, the SONY audio system for great music and entertainment.

1.5T Honor

There, the powertrain changes, and you get the turbocharged engine, which gives a real punch when driving. It carries all the Honour features, so you do not lose any comfort, but the extra power makes it more enjoyable to drive.

Upcoming 1.5TD LV2

The brand is also working to get this new variant, and expected soon with a refined turbo and more efficiency. If BAIC keeps the features and pricing in check, it could be a good option for buyers who put mileage high on their list.

Sayarabay Recommendation

Right now, the HONOR is the best pick for an average buyer. In this variant, you get a great mix of premium features like ventilated seats and the sunroof without going overboard in price. The mileage, driving dynamics and spacious cabin with superior comfort make it best for families. Mostly covers what one needs for everyday basics without paying the premium for a fulfilling ownership experience.

After spending time with the 2025 BAIC X7, we can say with confidence that it is a solid mid-size SUV that feels more expensive than it actually is. It blends stylish design, premium tech, and practicality in a way that works really well for families. The turbo engine gives enough punch for both city and highway runs, the cabin is genuinely comfortable, and the safety features give peace of mind. Since this is a Chinese brand, you may feel a little bit wary of finer aspects, like say, a slight lag in traffic, and the infotainment could be snappier at times, but those are small things in the bigger picture, where you’re offered far more in this price bracket. Visit the brand showroom, get a real first-hand experience, and after comparing with its nearest rivals, you will know pretty well the X7 has what it takes to become your next SUV.

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