BMW X5 Quick Facts
Introduction
The BMW X5 is a luxury midsize SUV. The German automaker dubbed it a “Sport Activity Vehicle” to document its on-road prowess, and it launched a class where superior capability met the pleasure of space. Consistently winning the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award, the combination of powertrains, flexible space, luxury, seamless tech, and brand cache allows the X5 to edge out a title in a field of solid competitors like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
The 2021 BMW X5 is a well-equipped package for the luxury crossover buyer with seating for five or seven. An excellent driving experience lives up to the hype of BMW’s tagline, proclaiming it the “Ultimate Driving Machine,” an interior with a host of comfort and convenience features makes for an enticing offer. For 2021, the X5 features a tweak to the 40i model, a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that grants 30 miles of pure electric power, and Android Auto as a standard feature.
BMW CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: 1 year/unlimited miles after the expiration of the original 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty
- Powertrain Warranty: Same as the limited warranty
- Roadside Assistance: 24/7, unlimited mileage, concurrent with the Limited Warranty
- Buying a Certified Pre-Owned BMW
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
A vehicle must be stellar in its class to win the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award for multiple years. Now in its fourth generation, the 2021 BMW X5 is an impressive example of modern technology and athletic road manners. Stylish and generously appointed, the BMW X5 is a driver’s playground.
Powerfully elegant engines, particularly the inline-6, are a BMW signature, and buyers have a variety of engines to choose from in the X5. For 2021, all engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), except the base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model. The base X5 40i gets a punchy 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that delivers 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. BMW added a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system for increased efficiency. A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 also powers the glorious X5 M. It. It’s stunning in its performance and delivers 600 hp. The M50i version provides 523 hp and still makes you smile.
Paving the road to electrification and new for the 2021 model year is the xDrive45e, a plug-in hybrid. It pairs an electric motor with the turbocharged inline-6 and delivers an all-electric range of 30 miles. It replaces the previous generation’s 4-cylinder engine and pumps up the fun factor in the hybrid. It comes with air suspension as a standard supplement and rounds out the X5 options.
Whichever BMW X5 you choose, each leaves the factory with various features to enjoy. With comfortable seating, genuine or faux leather, 4-zone climate control, top-tier audio systems with gesture control from either Harmon Kardon or Bowes & Wilkins, remote start, wireless phone charging and massaging, and ventilated front seats, the list is long, and comfort is plentiful even on the lower trim levels. The X5 seats five in the 2-row configuration. A third row is available and offers more seating but takes up cargo space.
Standard tech includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch centralized touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. BMW includes native navigation. The BMW X5 also has a well-rounded safety suite. This generation includes front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.
BMW’s second signature, an instantly recognizable face, houses tech features like sensors that are not prominent or distracting. The exterior of the X5 combines handsome good looks with a rugged edge and a distinctive kidney grille. The body is big and brawny with etched lines yet still approachable in size. The rear retains the functional, hands-free, clamshell tailgate that splits conveniently to keep our good things where they should be.
Despite being more expensive than many competitors, the 2021 BMW X5 has earned its fame and award status by providing a superior powertrain for every flavor and an amenity-rich interior.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 BMW 5
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 BMW X5 models
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2022 BMW X5 Expert Review
