Used 2021 BMW X5 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 BMW X5 cost?

Prices have softened 14.99% compared to this time last year, making it a favourable time to shop this model year.

There are 166 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable 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 8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, safety features, high-quality interior, and advanced technology. The X5 also fits well if you want a premium family SUV with a large cargo area and a broad range of engines and trims. The main trade-off is that pricing can climb quickly once you start adding options.

With 32.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW X5 reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in daily use, with praise for its smooth ride, safety features, and high-quality interior. The X5’s advanced technology and strong value retention also support the case for long-term ownership.

BMW’s powertrain and cabin execution suggest a premium SUV that should feel solid over time, but the high option content means you should pay close attention to how a used example was equipped and maintained. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is paying too much for features you may not need.

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

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard xLine models use matte aluminium grilles, satin-aluminium exterior accents, and full adaptive LED headlights, while M Sport models add more aggressive styling with body-colour trim, high-gloss black accents, and unique interior touches. The base setup is already upscale, but the M Sport look is the more distinctive choice if you want a sportier appearance.
• Powertrain: The base xDrive40i uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and standard AWD, while the xDrive45e plug-in hybrid pairs a six-cylinder engine with a 24-kWh battery and up to 50 km of all-electric range. Higher-output V8 models are also part of the lineup, but they come with higher fuel use.
• 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, and a rearview camera. The available Driving Assistance Professional Package adds stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, but the system’s lane-keeping behaviour can be inconsistent.
• Infotainment: You get a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, navigation, Bluetooth, five USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, voice recognition, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. Available upgrades include a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, and premium audio systems.
• Fuel efficiency: The xDrive xDrive45e is rated at 11.5 L/100 km combined when running on gasoline and 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres when using electricity and gas. The xDrive models are rated at 10.4 L/100 km combined, while the X5 M is rated at 15.7 L/100 km combined.

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 choice if you want the core X5 experience without stepping into the pricier performance models. You still get standard AWD, the 3.0-litre inline six, and the full suite of standard tech and safety equipment, so it covers the essentials well.
• xDrive45e: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid version with up to 50 km of all-electric range and the smooth transition between electric and gasoline power. It suits you best if you can charge regularly and want a more efficiency-focused X5.
• M50i: This trim is for buyers who want a much stronger V8-powered version and are willing to accept higher fuel use and a higher purchase price. It makes sense if performance matters more to you than operating costs.
• M: This is the most extreme choice, with 600 horsepower and even more with the Competition Package. It is the right pick only if you want the highest-output X5 and are comfortable with the steepest ownership costs.

BMW’s safety package is standard across the lineup, but the available Driving Assistance Professional Package has some real-world limitations, so it is worth testing 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 patiently and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 166 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.99% compared with last year.

If you find a listing below $43,076 CAD, 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 $43,080 CAD sits slightly below last year's $50,675 CAD.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can make the X5 more attractive to buyers today but less favourable for sellers trying to maximise return. If you own one, the softer pricing means you may need to be more competitive when listing it.

Even so, the X5’s strong value retention helps support future demand. Buyers often respond well to a premium SUV that combines comfort, technology, and a strong reputation for quality.

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.

Every X5 comes 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, and a rearview camera. BMW also offers the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which adds stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.

The caveat is that the available hands-on driver-assistance system did not perform consistently in testing, especially when lane markings were harder to detect. That means you should treat it as a convenience feature rather than something you can rely on in all conditions.

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:

• 32.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.99% 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, broadening your powertrain choices.

The bottom line: The 2021 BMW X5 is a smart pick if you want a well-equipped luxury SUV with strong owner satisfaction and a wider range of powertrains than earlier versions. If you are especially price-sensitive, you may want to compare nearby model years and focus on the best-equipped example you can find at the lowest clean-history price.

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

Our experts score the 2021 BMW X5 8/10 and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE 8/10.

The X5 is the better fit if you want a lower average used price and a stronger share of good or great deals. The GLE has more listings and a higher average used price, so it may give you more inventory to choose from but at a steeper cost. On paper, the BMW also brings a stronger standard tech and safety package, while the Mercedes counters with a similar expert score and comparable highway efficiency.

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.