The Best Luxury SUVs for Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway
Few drives reward the right car quite like the Pacific Coast Highway. Between the winding curves of Palos Verdes, long straightaways past Malibu, and ocean views that practically demand a slower pace, PCH isn't just a route — it’s an experience. At South Bay BMW in Torrance, we spend a lot of time helping local drivers find an SUV that truly matches their lifestyle. For PCH regulars, three models consistently top the list: the BMW X3, BMW X5, and BMW X7.
Each brings its own personality to the coast. The X3 is nimble enough to hug tight canyon roads, the X5 effortlessly balances long-haul comfort with sharp performance, and the X7 turns a family weekend trip up to Santa Barbara or Big Sur into a full-fledged luxury getaway. Yet all three share what makes a BMW special: precise handling, intuitive driver-assist technology, and cabins designed for hours of effortless driving.
Safety & Engineering Excellence
A great coastal drive starts with peace of mind — especially on two-lane stretches shared with cyclists, pedestrians, and tight beach-town traffic.
- BMW X3: Earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, securing top "Good" scores across small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front, and side-impact crash tests.
- BMW X5: Matches the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ honor on gas-powered models and carries a four-star overall NHTSA rating.
- BMW X7: Serves as the lineup's flagship, pairing standard Vernasca leather (or available Merino leather) with sophisticated suspension tuning that keeps this three-row SUV remarkably steady through every twist and turn.
Interior Comfort & Cargo Space
From weekend bags to surfboards, coastal trips demand versatility. Here is how each model compares inside:
- BMW X3: 5 seats | 31.5 / 67.1 cu. ft. cargo space | Compact footprint with 40.2 inches of front legroom — easy to park, yet spacious enough for gear.
- BMW X5: 5 seats | 33.9 / 72.3 cu. ft. cargo space | Features a flexible 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench; xDrive50e plug-in hybrid offers 40 miles of all-electric range.
- BMW X7: 6–7 seats | 12.8 / 90.4 cu. ft. cargo space | Adult-friendly third row (33.3 in. legroom) and standard Sky Lounge panoramic roof for scenic coast-watching.
Driver-Assist Technology
Every X3, X5, and X7 comes equipped with smart safety features designed to reduce stress in unpredictable coastal traffic:
- Forward-Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking: Scans for sudden slowdowns ahead and steps in if you don't react in time.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: Simplifies lane changes when traffic bunches up around scenic lookouts.
- Lane-Keeping Assist: Keeps you centered during longer highway stretches.
- Parking Assistance: Standard sensors across all models, with the X5 offering automated steering, braking, and acceleration control for tight spots.
- Traffic Sign Recognition: Standard on the X3, keeping speed limits clearly displayed on your dashboard as towns transition.
Performance & Power
Inside, every model features BMW’s Curved Display (14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch cluster) alongside wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Under the hood, each SUV caters to a different style of driving:
- BMW X3: Choice of a 255-hp turbo four-cylinder or the 393-hp X3 M50 (0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds), delivering up to 29 mpg combined with standard AWD.
- BMW X5: Output ranges from 375 hp to 523 hp — including the efficient 60 MPGe xDrive50e plug-in hybrid — with a max towing capacity of 7,200 lbs.
- BMW X7: Ranging from the 375-hp xDrive40i up to the 631-hp Alpina XB7, this lineup handles up to 7,500 lbs of towing while hitting 0–60 in as little as 4.5 seconds in the M60i.