Used 2021 BMW X5 for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 13.11% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,263 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $32,272.39, 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 8.00/10 expert rating.

The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its smooth ride, safety features, and high-quality interior, and they also like the advanced technology and the way it holds its value. The main trade-off is price, especially once you start adding extra equipment.

That fits the X5’s role as an upscale family-friendly SUV with multiple powertrain choices, a stylish design, and strong utility. With 34.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop carefully for the right configuration.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners also highlighting the SUV’s ability to hold its value well. The cabin’s smooth ride and high-quality feel reinforce that impression of a vehicle you can count on over time.

The X5’s refined powertrains and solid engineering also support that reputation for durability. For used buyers, the bigger long-term risk is less about the core vehicle and more about how much wear, complexity, and added equipment a specific example has accumulated.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper paper trail. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the vehicle has higher mileage or a long option list. Focus on overall condition, since pricing can climb quickly once desirable equipment is added.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models emphasize an upscale look with matte aluminum grilles, satin aluminum exterior accents, and full adaptive LED headlights, while M Sport models add more aggressive styling with body-color trim, matte aluminum grille bars, and unique interior touches. The base trim is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about appearance upgrades.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, a 600-hp X5 M, and a plug-in hybrid with 389 hp, 443 lb-ft, and up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The hybrid is the efficiency play, while the V8 models are the performance-heavy choices.
• 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 behavior can be inconsistent in real-world use.
• Infotainment: You get 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, 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 xDrive gets 23 mpg combined, the xDrive45e gets 20 mpg combined on gasoline and 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas, the M50i gets 18 mpg combined, and the X5 M gets 15 mpg combined. Premium gasoline is required.

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:

• sDrive40i: This is the entry point if you want the X5’s core luxury, technology, and standard safety equipment without paying for extra power or AWD. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the lineup and are comfortable with rear-wheel drive.
• xDrive40i: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds AWD while keeping the same 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder setup and the X5’s strong standard equipment. If you want the broadest mix of capability, efficiency, and everyday usability, this is the one to target.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid’s 30-mile all-electric range and the ability to do short trips with less gasoline use. It suits you best if charging at home or work is realistic and you value efficiency over sharper driving feel.
• M50i: This is the choice if you want the V8-powered step up in performance and are willing to accept higher ownership costs. It is the right pick for buyers who care more about power than fuel economy.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, but the hands-on driver-assistance system can be finicky, so you should test it carefully before you buy.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay disciplined.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,263 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.11% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 83.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,272.39, 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 $32,284 sits slightly below last year's $37,155.

That drop suggests the market has moved in your favor if you’re buying now, but it also means a future seller may face softer pricing than owners saw a year ago. The good news is that the X5 still has broad appeal thanks to its premium cabin, strong technology, and multiple powertrain choices.

Because the model continues to attract shoppers looking for a polished luxury SUV, well-kept examples should remain easier to move than less desirable alternatives. 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?

It earns a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and the IIHS gives it nearly all Good ratings.

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 hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package did not perform consistently in testing, with lane-keeping behavior that could become unreliable in sunlight and rain. That means you should treat the driver-assistance tech as a helpful aid, not something to rely on blindly.

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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.11% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.67/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds the second-generation plug-in hybrid variant to an already versatile lineup.

The bottom line: The 2021 X5 is the right pick if you want the broadest mix of luxury, technology, and powertrain choice in this generation, especially now that prices have eased. If you’re more price-sensitive, you can still shop carefully and focus on the best-equipped, clean-history example rather than stretching for a newer or more expensive alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.