Used 2021 BMW X5 for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.72% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,240 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW X5 earns a 4.67/5 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. They also point to strong value retention, and the SUV’s upscale feel comes through in the refined cabin and stylish design.

The main trade-offs are that pricing can climb quickly once you add options, and advanced safety features are not standard. That makes it a better fit if you want a premium family SUV and are willing to pay for the equipment you want.

With 35.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with praise for the SUV’s smooth ride, high-quality interior, and ability to hold its value well. The expert evaluation adds that the cabin is well built and the model’s engineering and craftsmanship are apparent.

BMW also notes that the X5 xDrive45e can regenerate electric range quickly in city traffic or on rural roads, which supports everyday usability. For used buyers, the bigger long-term risk is less about basic durability and more about how much maintenance and option-related cost you may take on over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a full records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin electronics, driver-assistance behavior, and overall condition of the interior and exterior. Since pricing can rise quickly with options, make sure the equipment on the vehicle matches what you actually want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models emphasize an upscale appearance with matte aluminum grilles, satin-aluminum exterior accents, and full adaptive LED headlights, while M Sport models add a more aggressive look with body-color trim, matte aluminum kidney grille bars, and unique interior touches. The base setup is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about sportier styling.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, a 600-hp twin-turbo V8 in the X5 M, and a plug-in hybrid with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The base model is the only rear-wheel-drive version; the others use all-wheel drive.
• Safety package: 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 hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go, but the system’s lane-keeping and traffic response can be inconsistent.
• 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, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, five USB ports, voice recognition, a 10-speaker sound system, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Available upgrades include a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, 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: xDrive40i, xDrive45e, M50i, and M.

Here's the short version:

• xDrive40i: This is the most accessible choice and the best-value trim if you want the core X5 experience without stepping into the pricier performance models. You still get the upscale design, strong standard tech, and the full safety feature set, so it covers the essentials well.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain and the ability to drive on electricity for short trips. It adds efficiency-minded flexibility, but the driving feel is less engaging than the gas-only versions.
• M50i: This trim is for you if you want a big jump in power from the twin-turbo V8 and are willing to pay 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 only if you want the most aggressive version and are comfortable with the highest running costs.

BMW makes advanced safety equipment standard across the lineup, but the hands-on driver-assistance package still deserves a careful test drive before you buy.

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: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,240 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.72% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 83.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,279, 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 $32,325 sits slightly below last year's $37,035.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the chance of taking a steep depreciation hit in the near term. Strong demand for well-kept examples can still support resale, especially when the vehicle presents cleanly and has the right equipment.

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 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 equipment 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 main caveat is the hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package. In testing, its lane-keeping and adaptive cruise functions could struggle with sunlight, rain, and stopped traffic, 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:

• 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.72% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• For 2021, the second-generation plug-in hybrid variant joins the family, adding another powertrain choice to an already broad lineup.

The bottom line: The 2021 X5 makes sense if you want a well-equipped luxury SUV with broad powertrain choice, strong owner satisfaction, and a market that has become more favorable for shoppers. If you are especially price-sensitive, you can use the softened pricing and decent inventory to focus on the cleanest, best-equipped example rather than stretching for a newer year.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.