Used 2021 BMW X5 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 13.59% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,247 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 BMW X5 earns a 4.7/5 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, high-quality interior, advanced technology, and ability to hold its value well. The X5 also fits buyers who want a family-friendly SUV with a premium cabin and broad everyday appeal.

The main trade-offs are that pricing can climb quickly with options, and advanced safety features are not standard. For shoppers who want upscale practicality with strong tech and a refined feel, the X5 makes a compelling case. It also shows 38.5% good or great deals in the market, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with praise for the X5’s smooth ride, high-quality interior, and value retention. The expert review also notes that the cabin is quiet and the suspension does a good job soaking up bumps, which supports the impression of a well-sorted SUV over time.

BMW also includes a broad standard safety suite, which can help reduce day-to-day stress if you keep the vehicle maintained properly. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is that luxury features and options can raise ownership costs as the vehicle ages.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.9% — 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 electronics, driver-assistance operation, and signs of heavy wear from premium-feature use. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment closely, since the X5’s feature content can vary a lot by version.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models emphasize an upscale look with matte aluminum exterior accents, while M Sport models add more aggressive styling, unique interior trim, and an M sports steering wheel. Base models also miss some of the more premium appearance and cabin touches found on higher-spec versions.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 335 horsepower, a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp, a higher-output X5 M with 600 hp, and a plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 30 miles on electric 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, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, fatigue and focus alert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a rearview camera. Advanced hands-on driving assistance is available, but it is not standard.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, five USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. Available upgrades include a head-up display, wireless charging, and premium audio.
• Fuel efficiency: The plug-in hybrid is rated at 50 MPGe when using electricity and gas, while the gasoline-only X5 xDrive is rated at 23 mpg combined. The X5 xDrive45e also gets about 20 mpg combined when running strictly on gasoline.

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 starting point if you want the core X5 experience with the 3.0-liter inline six, strong standard tech, and the broadest everyday appeal. It gives you the premium cabin and useful standard equipment without pushing you into the pricier performance trims.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid setup and the ability to drive up to 30 miles on electric power. It suits you best if you can charge regularly and want a more efficiency-focused X5 without giving up the model’s upscale feel.
• M50i: This trim is for you if you want the V8-powered version with much stronger performance and are willing to pay for it. It adds serious power, but it also moves the X5 into a much more expensive ownership bracket.
• M: This is the top performance choice, with the most power in the lineup and the most aggressive character. It makes sense if outright speed matters more to you than value or efficiency.

Advanced safety features are not standard, so check equipment carefully on any trim you consider.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 38.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,247 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.59% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,593, 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 $30,593 sits slightly below last year's $35,406.

That price movement suggests the X5 has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can be helpful if you buy now and plan to sell later. A lower entry price can reduce the amount of value left to lose over your ownership period, especially if you choose a well-equipped trim with broad appeal.

The X5’s strong reputation for comfort, technology, and premium feel can help support demand in the used market. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintain the vehicle well, you should be in a better position to preserve resale value than if you buy a heavily optioned example with a weak service history.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, 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, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, fatigue and focus alert, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a rearview camera. That is a strong standard safety list, but advanced hands-on driving assistance is not standard, and the available system showed some real-world limitations in testing.

The expert review also notes that sunshine and light rain interfered with lane-keeping performance, which is a meaningful caveat if you are considering the available driver-assistance package. If safety tech is a priority, make sure the specific vehicle you are shopping has the equipment you want and that it works properly.

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:

• 38.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.59% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds the second-generation plug-in hybrid variant to the lineup, giving you another powertrain choice.

The bottom line: The 2021 X5 is a smart pick if you want a premium midsize SUV with strong owner satisfaction, broad powertrain choice, and a market that currently favors careful shoppers. If you are especially price-sensitive, you may want to compare nearby years and focus on the best-equipped, best-priced example rather than chasing a specific model year alone.

How does the 2021 BMW X5 compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 BMW X5:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Stylish design, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Premium interior materials, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Advanced safety features are not standard, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 BMW X5 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 8/10. The X5 leans more toward stylish design and a broader powertrain story, while the GLE emphasizes premium interior materials. Both have impressive technology and both require you to pay attention to safety equipment, since advanced safety features are not standard on either one.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.