How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,238 listings available, which gives you a healthy amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $33,151.47, 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 4.67/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 8.00/10. 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 like that the X5 holds its value well. The trade-offs are that pricing can climb quickly with options, and advanced safety features are not standard.

For you, that means the X5 makes the most sense if you want a premium midsize SUV with strong comfort and tech appeal rather than the cheapest path into the segment. Good and great deals account for 35.0% 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.

The owner feedback points to a dependable-feeling SUV with smooth operation, strong build quality, and the kind of ownership experience people feel good about over time. The expert drive notes also support that impression with a cabin that stays quiet and a ride that soaks up bumps well.

BMW also notes that the plug-in hybrid can regenerate range quickly in city traffic or on rural roads, and it takes five hours to charge on a Level 2 charger. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that luxury ownership can bring higher repair and upkeep exposure if the vehicle was not maintained carefully.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has advanced driver-assistance equipment or optional features. Focus on overall condition, option content, and whether the electronics and safety systems work as intended.

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 styling, an M sport steering wheel, M-specific pedals, a driver’s footrest, seat piping, and model-exclusive interior 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 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Higher-output versions include the M50i and X5 M.
• 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 it did not react to stopped traffic in time in testing, and lane keeping struggled in sunshine and light rain.
• Infotainment: The standard setup centers on a 12.3-inch touchscreen and includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, five USB ports, 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 gets 20 mpg combined when running strictly on gasoline and 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas. The X5 xDrive gets 23 mpg combined, the X5 M50i gets 18 mpg combined, and the X5 M gets 15 mpg combined. BMW says the xDrive45e can go about 400 miles when fully topped off.

Which 2021 BMW X5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW X5 is offered in 5 trim levels: sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e, M50i, X5 M.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The sDrive40i/xDrive40i gives you the core X5 experience with the 3.0-liter inline six, standard safety equipment, and the main infotainment setup, but it does not bring the more aggressive styling or luxury upgrades found higher up.
• Sweet-spot trim: The xDrive45e is the most compelling all-around choice if you want the plug-in hybrid’s 30-mile electric range, strong power, and the same upscale cabin and tech without jumping to the pricier performance models.
• Premium/top trim: The M50i and X5 M add serious power and more exclusive performance character, but they also push pricing and fuel costs much higher.

The standard safety package is broad, but the available hands-on driver-assistance system has clear limitations in testing, so you should not assume every advanced feature works flawlessly.

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 without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,238 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 85.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $33,151.47, 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 $33,115 sits slightly below last year's $37,686.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may also limit how much room a future seller has to command a premium. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you can still protect value better than average, especially on a model with broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction.

The X5’s mix of luxury, technology, and brand recognition should continue to support demand, but higher-option examples may be harder to recoup dollar-for-dollar because buyers often shop carefully on price. 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 has a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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

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 available Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but testing showed that it could struggle to react to stopped traffic in time and that lane keeping could become unreliable in sunshine and light rain.

That means the X5 gives you a strong standard safety foundation, but you should be cautious about assuming the more advanced driver-assistance tech will behave perfectly in everyday use.

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:

• 35.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 85.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• For 2021, the second-generation plug-in hybrid xDrive45e joins the lineup, adding up to 30 miles of electric range.

The bottom line: The 2021 X5 is a smart pick if you want the updated lineup, strong owner satisfaction, and a market that has already softened enough to create some negotiating room. If you are especially price-sensitive, you may want to compare nearby years and focus on the best-maintained example rather than chasing the newest badge alone.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.