2021 BMW X5 Review

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The BMW X5 comes packed with technology features, but buyers will have to spend a lot of time learning the various menus and buttons to extract the most out of it. Compared to its competitors, the X5 is the jack-of-all-trades SUV and effectively handles both utility tasks and performance drives with equal aplomb.

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2021 BMW X5 Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Strong performance from available engines
Luxurious, comfortable cabin lives up to its price tag
Spacious cabin and cargo area

Cons

Small mirrors and wide roof pillars create blind spots
Limited interior storage
Wide doorsills inhibit entry and exit

What's new

The xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model debuts
Last year's xDrive50i is discontinued
Android Auto is now standard
Minor feature changes
Part of the fourth X5 generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The original X5 was one of the first luxury SUVs to hit the market, and each subsequent generation has only improved on that successful formula. This 2021 X5, which is part of the fourth generation that debuted just a couple of years ago, is an impressively luxurious and capable SUV. Whether you're looking for performance, a premium cabin design or the latest in technology features, the X5's got it. There's even a new plug-in hybrid X5 this year.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X5 sDrive40i 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.89 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$209/mo

$223/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Unlike those early days of the X5, however, there's plenty of competition when it comes to midsize luxury SUVs for 2021. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is one the X5's most direct rivals. It offers many of the same features as well as a range of trims and performance variants that line up about evenly with what you'll see on the X5. There's also the Porsche Cayenne to consider if you're willing to spend more for the best-driving vehicle in its class. And if you need even more space, the BMW X7 is essentially an X5 with more rear passenger and cargo space. But if you like the X5, check out our X5 Expert Rating to see our in-depth evaluation.

What's it like to live with?

Thinking about buying an X5? You'll want to read what our experts' take on what it's like to drive an xDrive40i every day. We're testing it for a year and reporting on qualities such as comfort, fuel economy and reliability. Check out our 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i long-term test for our in-depth coverage.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8/10

How does the X5 drive? We tested the xDrive40i. The six-cylinder engine is suitably powerful and responsive enough for the daily commute. Whether you pick this engine or the V8, the X5 is one of the quickest of the non-performance-oriented SUVs available. BMW also offers an optional off-road package that enhances the X5's capability to take on dirt roads and trails.

Handling and steering, however, are less impressive. The steering doesn't give you much feel for the road, and the X5 can feel overly soft and floaty when driving around turns unless you engage Sport mode. In more casual driving, the X5 is easy to drive, and its eight-speed transmission makes smooth and quick gearshifts.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the X5? Fitted with its optional air suspension, the X5 rides fairly smoothly, but harsher impacts and pavement seams can still be felt in the cabin. Sport mode is stiffer and transmits more of the road surface into the cabin, but thankfully the X5 isn't ever uncomfortably harsh. At highway speeds, road and wind noise is minimal.

The front seats are firm and supportive and have a broad range of adjustability to contour to different body types. Lumbar and upper bolsters are adjustable for cruising or sporty driving. The rear seats are softer and designed for long stints, but they're flat and don't have enough bolstering.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The seats are set in from the door, and occupants will have to shimmy to get in. We'd recommend taller drivers avoid the optional running boards for easier entry. But once you're in, there's ample room for the front passengers and good headroom, knee room and shoulder room for the rear passengers. The X5 has a technologically advanced interior, but the mass of buttons on the center console and the fiddly climate controls are difficult to learn.

Visibility is a problem. The X5's surround-view camera system is excellent when parking, and views out the front and sides are commanding. Direct views to the back are adequate if your seat is adjusted properly. The side mirrors and the door frame can hide pedestrians and other road users from view, though. Get the optional surround-view camera system to help with parking maneuvers.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? BMW's latest iDrive system is advanced, but it also comes with a steep learning curve. Helping you are its combination of menus, handwriting recognition, and voice and gesture control. Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility is standard, as is Android Auto. The X5's native navigation and voice commands work well.

Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are excellent, but the operation of the active lane centering and auto high beams is only average. Automatic parking and 3D surround-view mode are clunky to operate.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? The X5 has a roomy cargo area and a useful power tailgate/liftgate system that's great for loading bulky cargo. The armrest bin can hold a few standard water bottles, and that's about it. There's a shallow but deep pocket with an induction charger in front of the shifter, but access to this area is restricted once you use the cupholders.

In standard configuration, the xDrive40i can tow up to 6,603 pounds. It can tow up to 7,200 pounds when equipped with an optional factory-installed hitch.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the xDrive40i version we tested is 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. On our 115-mile mixed driving evaluation route, we netted 21.3 mpg, which is average for the segment.

Value

7.5/10

Is the X5 a good value? The X5 is priced on the high side of the segment, and that's before loading it up with options and features. But we think the build quality and capability are worthy of the price. The durable leather, excellent use of soft-touch materials, tight gaps in all interior panels, and a general feeling of solidity have been BMW hallmarks. It also comes with significant towing and hauling capability.

BMW gives new owners a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, which is on par with the rest of the segment. There's also four years of roadside assistance, with no mileage limitation.

Wildcard

8/10

If you're looking for the ultimate all-rounder, the X5 is the SUV you should be looking at. It's expensive, and finding the perfect one might be hard due to the bevy of options and packages, but the X5 will do what you need it to. The base 40i versions will give you sufficient driving entertainment, and the high-horsepower xDrive50i and M50i will definitely raise your pulse even higher.

Which X5 does Edmunds recommend?

As much fun as the turbocharged V8 can be, we suggest saving some money and sticking with the X5 xDrive40i. Its turbocharged six-cylinder engine is still plenty potent, and the list of standard and optional features generally mirrors those on the more expensive models.

2021 BMW X5 models

The 2021 BMW X5 is offered in four trim levels: sDrive40i, xDrive40i, xDrive45e and X5 M50i. (The high-performance X5 M is reviewed separately.) All but the base sDrive40i come standard with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive. Seating for five is standard, and an optional third row increases capacity to seven.

sDrive40i and xDrive40i
The only significant difference between the two trims is that the xDrive40i comes with all-wheel drive while the sDrive40i uses rear-wheel drive. Standard features include:

Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (335 horsepower, 330 lb-ft)
Eight-speed automatic transmission
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
19-inch wheels
Adaptive suspension dampers
Panoramic sunroof
Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable and heated front seats
Keyless entry with push-button start
Digital instrument cluster
12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
10-speaker audio system

Standard safety features and driver aids include:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Options on these trims include:

Individual options

Front and rear heated seats
Heated front armrests and steering wheel
Third-row seating
Adjustable air suspension (can adjust the vehicle's ride height)
Upgraded M Sport brakes

M Sport package

20-inch wheels
M Sport steering wheel
M Sport exterior trim

Convenience package

Remote start
Four-zone automatic climate control
Wireless charging
Wi-Fi hotspot

Premium package
Includes Convenience package features, adding:

Gesture control for the infotainment system (can use hand gestures to control certain vehicle features)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

Executive package
Includes Premium package features plus:

Adaptive laser headlights
Panoramic glass roof with embedded LEDs
Glass-trimmed shifter and infotainment knob
Rear window shades

Driving Assistance package

Upgraded cruise control with stop-and-go traffic assist and steering assist on the highway

Luxury Seating package

20-way power-adjustable, ventilated and massaging front seats
Leather upholstery

xDrive45e
The xDrive45e is new for 2021. It's a plug-in hybrid, meaning it has a small battery pack that can be plugged in and charged, allowing for an estimated 30 miles of all-electric driving, more than twice the estimated range of the last X5 plug-in hybrid. It uses a turbocharged six-cylinder engine paired with electric motors. Total system output is 389 hp.

Features and options broadly match those on the sDrive40i and xDrive40i, although you can't get the third-row seat on the xDrive45e.

M50i
The M50i represents a middle tier between the regular X5 and the bonkers X5 M. It's powered by a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (523 hp, 553 lb-ft) and has a number of performance features, though it's not as hardcore as the full M model. Feature include those on the lower models, but it adds or replaces some features, including:

M Sport brakes
M Sport-tuned adaptive suspension and all-wheel-drive system
M Sport steering wheel
20-inch wheels
Leather upholstery
16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
Standard 20-way power-adjustable front seats
Four-zone automatic climate control
Wireless charging
Optional Premium package
Optional Executive package

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#12 out of 20 among Luxury Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the BMW X5 from 2008-2022.}

$833/yr

vs. $735/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.79x/yr

vs. 1.83x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

17.8%

vs. 16.5%
for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 BMW X5.

5 (65%)

4 (9%)

3 (6%)

2 (3%)

1 (17%)

4.1

32 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Real electric range, highly refined

Steven, 02/12/2021

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)

The X5 45e is an outstanding compromise between the convenience, efficiency and joy of an everyday electric car and the traditional performance and range of a BMW inline 6. Pretty much all electric most days, and the integration of electric and gas is excellent - almost imperceptible when gas engine kicks in. BMW iDrive and driving assistant tech is excellent. Fit and finish outstanding. …

Good Not Great

TJ in Seattle, 05/19/2021

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)

Updated: 2021 BMW X5 xDrive 45e I have had my X5 for about a month now, with 1200 miles of local and road trip experience. I am about 80% happy with it. I bought this to replace my wife’s 2011 Lexus RX350. I wanted something that was about the same size with a bit better performance, and a hybrid. Size: My first and lasting impression is that this is a big vehicle, despite being a … “mid size” SUV. It feels big, parking with that long hood is a challenge (get the surround view cameras!!), demands a big parking space, turning radius is wide. It also sits up pretty high…I shouldn’t have gotten those 20 inch wheels to add to that. Getting in and out is a bit of a step (I’m 5’10”, so not short), and note you can’t avoid rubbing against the doorsill, even if you don’t get the running board. (Note you can lower the height manually, but it goes back up when you next drive.) And despite being 6 inches longer and 2 wider than my old Lexus, storage space is 20% less, and barely more than with my Infiniti QX50, a much smaller SUV. Specs don’t say it, but that battery seems to take up a lot of space vs the non-hybrid X5. Having said all that, it does have lots of passenger room, and storage is still good. Interior: Very plush. Certainly not the softest leather in the world…but I suppose it will wear well. Nice phone charger and lots of USB’s available. And buttons for direct access to the most used features….heat, radios, etc. Storage is ok, although it would be nice to have an official sun glass space, and the glove compartment door really cramps that space in there, so nothing wide will fit. But good seating space, and the contour seats I ordered are great, once you’ve figured out what all those seat buttons do. Electronics: Very extensive capabilities. I got the Premium pack, Driver’s Assistance, and Parking. But it is a challenge to learn them all….and I’m an engineering who likes this stuff. OK, when you learn it all, it is ok to operate and tells you what you need to know, and the displays are beautiful. But to get there, this is the first time I’ve had to really read the manual, and that in itself is a major challenge….very few diagrams and labels to work with, so I had to spend some time with the BMW expert at my dealer to get even the basics. While it is somewhat customizable, I still haven’t gotten it the way I prefer, and some things just aren’t available….like a Favorites list for my contacts. I have ended up doing a lot with the voice commands, which work pretty well. Gesture control is useless and I shut it off. Apple Car Play (fee?) and Android are included, but I don’t use them….bluetooth performance with my phone is fine. The driver’s display has several configurations, all of which have lots of information competing for your attention…..none of it is really bigger to stand out. Is that mileage number shown for gas, hybrid, combined????? What’s that symbol mean??? And the heads-up display is nice, unless you wear sunglasses in which case it is pretty invisible. Colors/Looks: I hope you like black! BMW apparently thinks you’ll like one of their fully four choices of black/dark gray. Ok, there are also 2 whiles, one blue, and one green. Huh. No silver?? Other than white, everything is quite dark, so dirt shows up. Otherwise, it looks “ok”, but probably could do with a refresh. Driving: OK, this is why you buy a BMW. This thing is a pleasure to drive, especially on the highway. It is powerful (even in the mountains), smooth (ok, bumps can be a bit jarring, but not bad), handles well (responsive, and no big swaying on turns), and very quiet. And all those safety packages work great! Yes, the lane keeping can be aggressive, so I’ve turned that off for local driving. MPG: This is my first EV and I have been delighted with it. I get about 40 miles on electric, so better than the 30 mile spec. That is enough for most of my daily driving, but in some weeks I go beyond that and have been hitting about 50 mpg combined. Local driving with no battery seems to be in the 15-18 mpg range. On my recent 500 mile road trip through the mountains, I got about 35 mpg combined. (I used the adaptive mode in combination with the nav system to ration out the batteries for maximum efficiency.) Charging: BMW supplies a mobile charger that works with 110V Level 1 charging and takes about 24 hours to fully charge the vehicle. Not adequate for an overnight charge at all. I had to install 240V in my garage for Level 2 charging that gets the job done in about 6 hours…ok, not the 3-5 the spec says, but fine for overnight. Conclusion: As I said, I’m about 80% happy with my X5. My biggest issue is that it is just bigger than I expected, especially when parking it. But it is plush and drives well, and the EV performance is excellent. Update: OK I have had my X5 for 9 months now and have completed a 3,000 mile road trip. The impressions listed above are all still about the same. I will reinforce that the highway driving is really excellent, with or without the battery power, and the driving aids are also very nice....really reduce stress on a long drive. Two disappointments to add. 1) The nav system is annoying. It is a task to load a destination address, especially if in a different town or state...voice doesn't work well for a long address for sure. And the system often doesn't find addresses that are newish construction....I frequently end up in Goggle Maps on my phone in that case. (OK I could be using Android Auto more, but I really don't like it for most things.) 2) The EV charge status is all over the place. On a good day I can charge it to indicate it has 40 miles stored, but other days it will top out at 25 or so. Temperature doesn't seem to be the issue, although its charging level when I plugged in the charger does seem to impact how much more it will add. And the miles indicated may or may not be what I actually get when I drive it, especially if the indication is well below 30 miles. BMW service had no explanation. I really like the hybrid functionality, but it needs some work yet.

2nd X5...won't be our last

David, 03/25/2021

2021 BMW X5 sDrive40i 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)

We had a 2015 X5 x35i w/ M Sport Package and enjoyed it for all 106,000 miles that we put on it. Never had any trouble with it and it put a smile on my face every time I drove it. I'd planned to keep it for a very long time - and felt confident that we could have. The problem was that we went to the dealership and saw the '21 X5 and I was blown away by how much it's changed from the …

Close but not perfect

BDM, 12/14/2021

2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A)

3 weeks into ownership. We got off on the wrong foot due a poor dealer experience (BMW of Asheville). BMW employs "geniuses" to deliver the car and set up the very complicated infotainment system. Problem was our "genius" did really know the hybrid model that well and set up things incorrectly and give us lots of bad info. Overall love the ride and handling, so the car is great. …

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2021 BMW X5 video

Genesis GV80 vs. BMW X5 vs. Mercedes GLE-450 | Full-Size Luxury SUV Comparison

2021 X5 Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

sDrive40i

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$59,400
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the X5 models:

Active Blind-Spot Detection: Warns you when there are vehicles or objects in the vehicle's blind spots.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Automatically applies the brakes to avoid or lessen an imminent front collision.
Two-Axle Air Suspension: Keeps the X5 level when heavily loaded or towing, ensuring consistent handling and braking performance.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 BMW X5 Review

2021 BMW X5 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which X5 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 BMW X5 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Real electric range, highly refined

Good Not Great

2nd X5...won't be our last

Close but not perfect

2021 BMW X5 video

2021 X5 Highlights

Safety

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