Used 2021 BMW X5 for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 13.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,280 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW X5 earns a 4.7/5 user rating and an 8.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, high-quality interior, and advanced technology, and they also note that it holds its value well. The X5’s family-friendly layout, large cargo area, and broad powertrain lineup make it appealing if you want everyday usefulness with a premium feel. On the trade-off side, pricing can climb quickly when you add options, and advanced safety features are not standard.

Good and great deals account for 34.9% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners highlighting the SUV’s long-term value and the confidence that comes from its strong overall satisfaction. The expert review also emphasizes the X5’s refined engineering and solid build quality, which supports the impression that it is a vehicle you can count on over time. BMW’s first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-spec versions and option-heavy examples can become expensive to maintain and repair as they age.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW X5?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on every candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the SUV has been optioned heavily or driven hard. Focus on overall condition, because the X5’s premium features can add complexity and cost if anything needs repair. It also helps to compare trim content carefully so you know which features are standard and which were added as options.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models have matte aluminum grilles, while M Sport models add body-color wheel arch trim, bumper trim, rear underbody protection, side skirts, and unique interior styling with an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, a driver’s footrest, seat piping, and model-exclusive trim strips.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 335 horsepower, a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp, a more powerful X5 M with 600 hp, and a plug-in hybrid that can deliver up to 30 miles of all-electric range.
• Safety package: Every X5 includes blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera. The Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it did not perform consistently in testing.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, five USB ports, voice recognition, a 10-speaker sound system, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof.
• Fuel efficiency: The X5 xDrive gets 23 mpg combined, the X5 xDrive45e gets 20 mpg combined on gasoline and 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas, the X5 M50i gets 18 mpg combined, and the X5 M gets 15 mpg combined.

Which 2021 BMW X5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW X5 is offered in 4 trim levels: xDrive40i, xDrive45e, M50i, and M.

Here's the short version:

• xDrive40i: This is the best-value choice if you want the core X5 experience, including the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, standard AWD, and the full set of standard tech and safety features without stepping into the pricier performance models.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid setup and up to 30 miles of all-electric range, especially if you like the idea of quieter electric driving for short trips and a seamless transition between electric and gasoline power.
• M50i: This trim is for you if you want a major jump in performance, with the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 and a more aggressive character, but you should expect higher fuel costs.
• M: Pick this only if you want the most powerful version, with 600 hp and the most performance-focused setup in the lineup.

BMW’s advanced driver-assistance package is not standard, so make sure the specific vehicle you’re considering includes the safety equipment you want.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW X5?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,280 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,056, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW X5's resale value?

The current average of $31,057 sits slightly below last year's $35,933.

That decline suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, the current pricing trend means there may be less upside than in a stronger market, but the X5’s premium positioning still supports demand. Strong owner satisfaction can help keep interest steady when it’s time to resell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 safe?

The 2021 BMW X5 has been given nearly all Good ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it earns a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 6/10 safety score from our experts.

BMW makes a long list of safety features standard, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera. The available Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but testing showed that it could struggle to react smoothly to stopped traffic and lane markings in some conditions.

That means you should pay close attention to whether the specific vehicle you’re considering has the driver-assistance equipment you want, because the advanced system’s real-world performance is not as strong as its feature list suggests.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW X5 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:

• 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.57% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds the second-generation plug-in hybrid variant to the lineup, giving you another powertrain choice.

The bottom line: If you want the X5 with a broad mix of powertrains, strong owner satisfaction, and a softer used-car price, the 2021 is a sensible target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully and focus on the best-maintained examples, but the 2021 stands out as a balanced year with broad appeal.

How does the 2021 BMW X5 compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 BMW X5:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Stylish design, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Premium interior materials, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Advanced safety features are not standard, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 BMW X5 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 8/10. The X5 leans more toward stylish design and a broader performance feel, while the GLE emphasizes premium interior materials. Both offer multiple powertrain options and impressive technology, but both also require you to pay attention to safety equipment because advanced features are not standard.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.