(By Tom Lohnes) –  Since its debut in 2019, the BMW X7 has comfortably made a reputation for itself. With a controversial debut due to its massive front grilles and being “too big” for a BMW, the X7 has sold quite well and now hauls hundreds of thousands of well-off children to soccer practice each day. With the pretty great success of the SUV, BMW has decided to refresh it to make it more up-to-date with competitors. And guess what, the controversy is back.

Looking like it just landed from Saturn, the new X7 wears a new split headlight design and a very oddly-shaped set of nostrils on the front. Of course they are still huge, but the headlights draw attention away from them. This design is special because of just how polarizing it is. It really does look good from some angles, but others are definitely not the same case. Thankfully, the stately side profile and rear-end design stays. Inside, the X7 gets new iDrive 8 technology, and the shifter is replaced by a small switch in the middle. Other than that, nothing much.

There are now three trim levels of X7 in America, and they range from mild to wild, and from expensive to super expensive. Starting at $78,845, the X7 Xdrive 40i combines BMWs mighty B58 Inline-6 to a small electric motor to produce a healthy 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Paired with the standard 8-speed auto that just happens to have launch control, and even the base X7 can do 60 in a claimed 5.6 seconds. Of course, that is more than adequate, but doesn’t quite hit the mark for some. If you have around $25,000 more, go ahead and invest in the M60i.

Starting at a whopping $104,095, the X7 M60i packs a twin-turbocharged V8 that is also pared with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that produces quite a bit more power than the base model. 523 to be exact. Outside, it gets the M-sport package standard, as well as standard blacked out trim and quad exhaust tips. Inside, lucious Merino leather is standard, and you get standard active roll stabilization, and active steering that can change ratios mid-corner. Pretty cool.

And finally, if you have around $150,000 to drop on an SUV, you can get the Alpina XB7. The first and only SUV to ever wear the Alpina badge, and it delivers on the promise of fast German luxury. Since BMW will not sell you a full-fledged X7M, the XB7 takes that position. With 630 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds, and an outrageous 180-mile per hour top speed, the XB7 delivers big on performance. Inside, materials are also drastically improved to deliver on the luxury part too. If you want, you can also option in 23-inch wheels.

It might be beautiful, it might be hideous, I really can’t tell yet. But, regardless of the looks, the X7 is still one of the best 3-row luxury SUVs you can get, and with this update it appeals even more to the drivers of the family. Sales f]of the 2023 model-year X7 are set to begin this summer.