Used 2021 BMW X5 for Sale near Charleston, SC

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.83% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,235 listings available, which suggests you have a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.67/5 from owners and an 8/10 from expert testing. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, high-quality interior, advanced technology, and strong value retention. That lines up well with the X5’s upscale, family-friendly mission, especially if you want utility without giving up a premium feel.

The main trade-offs are that pricing can climb quickly once you start adding options, and advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the X5 fits well if you want a polished luxury SUV with broad appeal and strong everyday usability.

Good and great deals account for 38.7% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

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

User feedback points to a smooth, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners also highlighting the X5’s dependable feel and strong value retention. The expert evaluation also emphasizes the model’s solid engineering and the way its cabin and powertrains deliver a refined, confidence-inspiring experience.

BMW’s maintenance and ownership costs can still be a consideration, especially once you move beyond the basics and into higher-spec versions. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a well-equipped X5 can become expensive to keep if prior maintenance was skipped or if you inherit a heavily optioned example.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 83% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if it looks clean on paper. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-mileage or heavily optioned examples, and pay close attention to the condition of the interior electronics, driver-assistance systems, and any added packages.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models have matte aluminum grilles, satin-aluminum exterior accents, and an upscale appearance, while M Sport models add body-color wheel arch trim, bumper trim, rear underbody protection, side skirts, and more aggressive interior styling. The base setup is the most straightforward choice if you want the cleanest value, while M Sport suits you if appearance matters more.
• Powertrain: The base X5 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 adds electric driving capability and up to 30 miles of all-electric range, while higher-output V8 models deliver much more power.
• 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’s real-world behavior can be inconsistent.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment 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 xDrive45e is rated at 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas, and it can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone. The X5 xDrive gets 23 mpg combined, the xDrive45e gets 20 mpg combined on gasoline only, 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, M.

Here's the short version:

• xDrive40i: This is the best-value choice if you want the core X5 experience without stepping into the pricier performance models. You get the standard six-cylinder powertrain, the full tech and safety baseline, and the most approachable entry point into the lineup.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain and the ability to drive up to 30 miles on electricity alone. It makes the most sense if you can charge regularly and want the added efficiency and flexibility.
• M50i: This trim is for you if you want a big jump in power from the twin-turbo V8 and are willing to pay more for it. It suits buyers who care more about straight-line performance than fuel economy.
• M: This is the top performance choice, with the most power in the lineup. It makes sense if you want the most aggressive version of the X5 and are comfortable with the highest ownership costs.

BMW’s hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package is available, but the expert testing notes that its lane-keeping and traffic response can be inconsistent.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,235 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.83% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 83.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,183, 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 $32,183 sits slightly below last year's $36,921.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can still protect value reasonably well.

The X5’s premium positioning and strong owner satisfaction help support demand, especially among shoppers looking for a well-equipped luxury SUV. 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 it earns a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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 main caveat is that the available Driving Assistance Professional Package did not perform consistently in testing. The system struggled with stopped traffic and lane markings in sunlight and light rain, which means you should not assume the most advanced driver-assistance setup will work flawlessly in every situation.

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:

• 38.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 83% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.83% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• For 2021, the SUV’s second-generation plug-in hybrid variant joins the family, adding another powertrain choice to an already broad lineup.

The bottom line: The 2021 X5 is the right pick if you want a well-rounded luxury SUV with strong owner satisfaction, broad powertrain choice, and a market that has become more buyer-friendly. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can also use the softened pricing to target a clean, well-maintained example rather than stretching for a newer one.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.