Value, Soul, and a Rented X7

I had the opportunity to take a modest “upgrade” for a rental during a recent trip to Texas. Given my planned activities, I needed a big vehicle, so reserved a full-size SUV and then, beguiled by the “QX80 or similar” wording of a luxury upgrade, I figured…why not?  I’ll take that X7 M60 and really motor through Texas.

Well – I’d have been far better off with the ordinary Tahoe or Expedition.  The best thing that the BMW had was its engine.  Why not more?

Because it wasn’t distinctive.  It still maintained a very screen-forward dominance and, as near as I could tell, the “Auto” setting for climate control still depended on my deployment of fan speed, which resulted in a stab-at-the-huge-giant-screen moment with the screen interface.  Not only is this an obvious case for a physical knob, the “auto” element seems to elude the idea of actually maintaining a temperature.  My comparatively ancient 2003 Porsche already understood this, and that’s a simple button interface. 

The BMW’s on-road manners were great.  Sorted.  Complete.  Composed.  Off road – about the same.

It is nothing extraordinary and, in fact, this is the entire problem for what I understand its price point to be, which is over $100K. 

This is not a $100K+ vehicle experience. 

The other part about this issue with the X7 is the Enterprise rental issue: this is not “or similar” to a Tahoe or QX80.  It is smaller, for one thing, without the utility offered by the bigger SUVs in the equation.  The X7 is not similar to the single most important comparator: its size.  Yes, it has a third row. 

And that’s it.

So – luxurious, yes.  As luxurious as anything else?  Yes.  But not more luxurious than a mid-level trim of a Tahoe or Expedition.  It didn’t run any better.  It sure didn’t fit more.  So, for $115K, one gets minimally-offensive screens, great acceleration, and a badge that some portion of the population prefers because of what it signals.  For $115K, if I am ever in a position to drop that much on anything that has wheels, and if that choice is going to be in the realm of “full size SUV” I can only imagine an Escalade (providing that the 6.2 V-8 in those doesn’t grenade) or a Navigator.

And, at the very least, love them or hate them, at least they have some personality.  The X7 M60i was the most competent luxury SUV experience one can find…that is largely devoid of any sense of occasion or fun.  It’s riding on a speed-restricted section of the Autobahn with an extremely capable Teutonic accountant.  There are worse things, but very few that are more boring.

So – this gets to the question again that I wrestle with and think out loud about from time to time in this blog…the sense of soul imparted by a machine to a person.  Something that tells the driver “I am alive here.”  To be sure, most people getting behind the wheel wouldn’t notice and even fewer probably even care. 

Here’s what I realized with it, though.  A common critique of the EV is that they’re essentially appliances, like a toaster, microwave, or electric shaver.  I don’t think that’s entirely fair…for one, I do like my Audi e-Tron GT, which does have road capability…it’s not as stirring as a 4-liter twin-turbo V-8, but it ain’t bad for what it is.  It’s got acceleration, braking, lateral g grip, and a distinct style. 

But what I realized with the X7 M60 – the “performance” version, or at least “a” performance version – is that it’s perfectly possible for an ICE vehicle to be devoid of soul, in the same plasticized, appliance-ized manner that resembles EV critique.  Inoffensive, capable, and unnoticeable. 

Soul – it’s more than the motor.  It’s the spirit imbued in the design of a car itself.  Is some of that related to powerplant?  Undoubtedly and undoubtedly even more to the owner and driver…perhaps for some, it’s most, the vast majority, or even all of the car.  I think I have a bit more diversity in my view as to the nature of the soul of a car.  The soul is about the intent that can be discovered behind the design itself.

Some of the quiet ones show you something; others that make some noise are actually empty when inside that design.  I still think it’s possible to be capable without being boring.  For that amount of money, it should be.

Glad I rented it.  Glad I’m not planning on buying one because, at the end of the day, presence matters, and the frisson of worry that comes with wet-cardboard connecting rods in a GM 6.2 V-8 is more entertaining than a thorough Bavarian wheeled soporific.

Now – all of that said – and this is the most important part – the fact is that the BMW was a pleasant rental car.  A rental car is important, as it provides what we all need at some level: transport.  And the BMW, on this trip, carried me toward a couple of memories that are going to be with me for the rest of my life: a Rush concert in San Antonio, and a few days of hunting and outdoor activities in southwest Texas. 

It took me there and brought me back – and sometimes, bland is all one really needs because, in one of my favorite quotes, from EB White, and posted at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles: “Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car.”

The BMW helped me make that trip, and it brought me to the adventure.  It brought me to this sunset, and it took me on my first steps on the journey home.