How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,315 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $32,963.54, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW X5 earns a 4.67/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its smooth ride, high-quality interior, and advanced technology, and they also say it holds its value well. The main trade-off is price, especially once you start adding options. On the market side, 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.67/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, with owners highlighting its smooth ride, safety features, and ability to hold value over time. The cabin is described as quiet and well built, and the powertrain lineup is broad enough to give you flexibility without sacrificing refinement. BMW also includes a long list of standard equipment, which can help reduce the need to add costly extras later.

The expert evaluation also notes that the X5’s cabin is well insulated from road and engine noise, and that the plug-in hybrid version can switch between electric and gasoline power seamlessly. BMW says the X5 xDrive45e takes five hours to charge on a Level 2 charger.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that higher-spec versions can become expensive to maintain and fuel, especially if you choose a more powerful model or one loaded with options.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 84.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the condition of the electronics, driver-assistance systems, and any optional equipment. It also makes sense to pay close attention to how the vehicle drives at low speed and on rough pavement, since ride quality and steering feel matter a lot in this model.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models use matte aluminum grilles, satin-aluminum exterior accents, and full adaptive LED headlights, while M Sport models add more aggressive exterior and interior styling, including an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, and model-exclusive trim strips.
• Powertrain: The base sDrive40i/xDrive40i uses a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. The xDrive45e plug-in hybrid delivers 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and can travel up to 30 miles on electric power. Higher-output V8 models are also mentioned.
• 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 hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, but the system can struggle to react smoothly in traffic and lane keeping can be inconsistent in sunlight or light rain.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, Bluetooth, five USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, voice recognition, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Available upgrades include a head-up display, wireless smartphone charger, Wi-Fi hot spot, and premium audio systems.
• Fuel efficiency: The X5 xDrive45e is rated at 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas, and 20 mpg combined when running strictly on gasoline. The X5 xDrive is rated at 23 mpg combined, while 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: sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, M50i.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The sDrive40i gives you the core X5 experience with the 3.0-liter inline six, rear-wheel drive, and the standard safety and tech features, but you miss out on the more powerful engines and the extra luxury upgrades available higher up.
• Sweet-spot trim: The xDrive40i is the best all-around pick if you want the same core powertrain with standard all-wheel drive and the full standard equipment list without stepping into the pricier performance models.
• Premium/top trim: The M50i is the most compelling choice if you want the strongest luxury-performance mix, but it comes with a much higher starting price and lower fuel efficiency.
• Off-road trim: The xDrive45e is worth considering if you want plug-in hybrid efficiency and short electric-only driving, but its driving dynamics are less engaging than you might expect from a BMW.

The standard safety package is broad, but the more advanced hands-on driver-assistance setup is not flawless in testing.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,315 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 84.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,963.54, 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 $32,965 sits slightly below last year's $37,531.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can make the X5 more attractive to used buyers today. For a future seller, that means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than just model-year desirability. Well-kept examples with the right options should still draw interest, but heavily optioned versions may not recover their original cost as well as you’d hope.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.67/5, 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 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the SUV a four-star overall safety rating.

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

BMW equips every X5 with 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 found that it could struggle to react smoothly to stopped traffic and lane markings in sunlight or light rain. That means you should not assume the most advanced driver-assistance setup will work perfectly in every condition.

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:

• 36.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 84.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds the xDrive45e plug-in hybrid to the lineup, giving you an efficiency-focused option alongside the rest of the X5 family.

The bottom line: If you want the broadest mix of value, inventory, and model-year updates, the 2021 X5 is the one to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, you can still shop aggressively because the market has softened and there are enough listings to compare carefully before you buy.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.