Used 2021 BMW X3 for SaleNationwide

Compare 2021 BMW X3 Trims

The 2021 BMW X3 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to performance-oriented models, catering to various driving needs.

• Starting at $20,990
• Best MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 61 hwy
• Most Popular: xDrive30i AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

sDrive30i RWD — "Who It's For"

The sDrive30i RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury SUV experience without the AWD price premium. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,990 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 25 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 2,209 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View sDrive30i RWD listings

xDrive30i AWD — "Who It's For"

The xDrive30i AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without stepping up to a higher price point. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $23,486 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 4,137 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View xDrive30i AWD listings

xDrive30e AWD — "Who It's For"

The xDrive30e AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a hybrid option with excellent fuel efficiency. Its lower availability may limit negotiating room.

• Avg. market price: $24,953 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 59 city / 61 hwy
• Inventory: 75 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View xDrive30e AWD listings

M40i AWD — "Who It's For"

The M40i AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a powerful engine and sporty performance without sacrificing luxury. It's designed for those who seek a more dynamic driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $32,935 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 21 city / 27 hwy
• Inventory: 682 listings
• View M40i AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — xDrive30i AWD

With 4,137 active listings, the xDrive30i AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse xDrive30i AWD listings

Best Budget Option — sDrive30i RWD

At $20,990 avg market price — below the lineup median of $24,219 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse sDrive30i RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — xDrive30e AWD

The xDrive30e AWD offers impressive fuel efficiency with 59/61 MPG/MPGe.

Browse xDrive30e AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 BMW X3 cost?

Prices have softened 11.15% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,275 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW X3 a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.8/5 owner-rated SUV with an expert score of 7.5/10. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Performance, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the X3 for its comfort, smooth ride, strong performance, and especially comfortable seats. The review summary also points to its upscale feel and the way it blends practicality with a more engaging driving experience than many rivals.

The main trade-offs are price and some missing conveniences compared with other brands, including interior storage limitations and the absence of certain features. That matters most if you want maximum value or a more feature-heavy cabin for the money.

For shoppers who want an upscale, versatile crossover that feels a bit more exciting to drive, the X3 fits that use case well. Good and great deals account for 38.2% of listings, so there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW X3 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable-feeling SUV with strong comfort, smooth ride quality, and the kind of performance that keeps daily driving easy to live with. That combination usually matters more than any single feature when you’re trying to judge whether a used luxury SUV will feel trustworthy over time.

The expert review also emphasizes the X3’s solid driving dynamics and practical, easy-to-use technology, which supports the impression that it’s built to be a well-rounded long-term companion. BMW also notes that the X3’s standard feature set is broad, which can help reduce the need to add expensive options later.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright dependability and more about whether the specific vehicle was maintained well and equipped the way you want.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW X3?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not guarantee a clean individual vehicle. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment that may be costly to repair.

Focus on condition, feature operation, and whether the trim level matches your needs. On a luxury SUV like this, the difference between a good buy and a frustrating one often comes down to how well the cabin tech, safety systems, and comfort features have held up.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The sDrive30i and xDrive30i come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, navigation, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Many desirable features are optional on these trims, including genuine leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power liftgate, heated-and-ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging. The M40i adds many of those features as standard, along with 19-inch alloy wheels, 14-way power-adjustable front seats, unique exterior styling, and an M Sport suspension.
• Powertrain: The sDrive30i and xDrive30i use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The sDrive30i is rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive30i adds all-wheel drive. The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid makes 288 hp and offers 17-mile electric-only range. The M40i steps up to a 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six.
• Safety package: Standard driver assistance includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.
• Infotainment: The standard touchscreen measures 10.2 inches and runs iDrive. Apple CarPlay is standard, while Android Auto is optional. You can also look for wireless device charging, a fully digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo system.
• Fuel efficiency: The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid returns 30 MPGe in electric mode and 24 mpg in hybrid mode. The sDrive30i returns 25 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i returns 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The M40i returns 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

Which 2021 BMW X3 trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW X3 is offered in 4 trim levels: sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and xDrive30e plug-in hybrid.

Here's the short version:

• sDrive30i: This is the entry point and the best-value choice if you want the X3’s core strengths without stretching your budget. You still get the 10.2-inch infotainment system, navigation, synthetic leather upholstery, and a strong standard safety suite.
• xDrive30i: Choose this if you want the same core equipment as the sDrive30i but prefer all-wheel drive. It makes the most sense if you live in a climate where traction matters more than rear-wheel-drive efficiency.
• xDrive30e plug-in hybrid: Pick this if you want the most efficient version and like the idea of short electric-only driving. It adds plug-in capability and the strongest efficiency story in the lineup.
• M40i: This is the performance pick, with the 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six, more standard luxury features, and the most upscale feel in the range. It’s the right choice if you want the most power and don’t mind paying more for it.

The standard safety package is strong across the lineup, but some advanced features remain optional, so check each listing carefully.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW X3?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,275 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.15% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $23,333, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW X3's resale value?

The current average of $23,333 sits slightly below last year's $26,263.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend more heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum alone.

Because the X3 still has strong owner satisfaction and broad appeal, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less popular luxury SUVs. The best-positioned vehicles will be the ones with desirable features, clean history, and strong maintenance records.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 BMW X3 safe?

The X3 comes standard with advanced driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

That standard safety suite is a meaningful strength for the 2021 model year, especially because BMW also added more standard safety features for this version. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, headlights that bend with the road, and a head-up display.

For used shoppers, the key point is that some of the more advanced convenience and assistance features are still optional, so you should confirm exactly what’s installed on the vehicle you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW X3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.15% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds more standard safety features and newly available in-car tech features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $27,692, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $23,333 average.
• It gets a hefty mid-cycle refresh with new engines, more technology, and an expanded safety suite.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better value if you want the X3’s core strengths at a lower price and don’t need the later refresh. If you’re willing to spend more for updated styling, more tech, and a broader safety package, the 2022 is the stronger upgrade path.

How does the 2021 BMW X3 compare to the 2021 Audi Q5?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 BMW X3:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: On the expensive end of the segment.

2021 Audi Q5:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Comfortable, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 BMW X3 7.5/10 and the 2021 Audi Q5 8/10. The X3 stands out if you want more powertrain variety and a more engaging drive, while the Q5 has the edge on overall expert score and standard all-wheel drive. The BMW is pricier, but it counters with stronger performance flexibility and a tech-forward cabin. The Audi is the more comfort-focused choice, though its styling and interior materials are less compelling.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.