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2021 BMW X5

Canadian MSRP

$77,500 - $93,000

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Key Specifications for 2021 BMW X5

Fuel Economy 9.2 - 14.4 City/HWY combined

Horsepower 335 - 523 hp

Drivetrain All-Wheel Drive

Engine Plug-In Electric, Gasoline

Torque 331 - 553 ft-lb

Seats 5 - 7

Buyer’s Guide

History/Overview

The X5 is BMW’s entry in the mid-size luxury SUV category, a vehicle class the brand helped create more than two decades ago. BMW last redesigned the X5 for the 2019 model year, when it entered its fourth generation.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2021, the X5 line gains a third member in the xDrive45e PHEV. The entry-level xDrive40i adds some electric tech, too, with a new 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain.

Available Trims

BMW offers the X5 in xDrive40i, xDrive45e and M50i trim levels. The first two use a 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine with different levels of electric assist, and the M50i switches to a 4.0L turbo V8 that works solo.

All X5 models come with an eight-speed transmission and AWD.

Standard Features

The BMW X5 xDrive40i wears 20-inch alloy wheels, and boasts leather upholstery and steering wheel, tire pressure monitoring, satin aluminum roof rails and window trim, a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable heated sport seats, leatherette dash trim, auto-dimming side mirrors, ambient lighting, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, LED fog lights, forward collision detection/alert with automatic braking, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, lane departure warning, and speed limit info.

XDrive45e models add air suspension, while xDrive50i gets 22-inch wheels; sport exhaust, brakes suspension, steering wheel and differential; black roof rails, and walknappa leather dash trim.

Key Options

An advanced driving assist package adds steering/lane control, driving assistant professional, front cross traffic alert, lane keep and traffic jam assists, and active cruise control.

A premium essential package brings heated/cooled cupholders, heated rear seats, head-up display, passive keyless entry, soft-close doors, side sun shades, and four-zone climate control.

A premium enhanced package further adds surround-view cameras, a drive recorder, an upgraded stereo, laserlight headlights, wireless smartphone charging, and front comfort seats.

Finally, a premium excellence group gets extended Merino leather, an Alcantara headliner, ambient air, and front ventilated seats with massage.

Fuel Economy

BMW’s fuel consumption estimates for gasoline X5 models are 11.4/9.2 L/100 km (city/highway) for the xDrive40i, and 14.4/10.6 L/100 km for the M50i. The PHEV xDrive45e’s ratings are 12.2/10.6 L/100 km when running as a gas-electric hybrid, and 4.7 Le/100 km in EV mode with a full charge of its battery.

Competition

The BMW X5’s key competition comes from its German counterparts, the Audi Q7/Q8, Porsche Cayenne, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Other comers include the Volvo XC90, the Lincoln Nautilus, the Jaguar F-Pace, the Acura MDX, Lexus RX, and the Infiniti QX60.

Trim Comparison

Showing of 3 trims

All Features Differences

Standard

Not Available

Optional

xDrive40i Sports Activity Vehicle X5 xDrive45e Plug-In Hybrid M50i Sports Activity Vehicle

MSRP
77,500

MSRP
83,500

MSRP
93,000

Mechanical

Engine

Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-6

Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8

Displacement

3.0 L/183

4.4 L/268

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Horsepower

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

389 hp @ 5000 rpm

523 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

331 ft-lb @ 1500 rpm

443 ft-lb

553 ft-lb @ 1800 rpm

Steering

Power Steering

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

8-Speed Sport Automatic -inc: paddle shifters

8-Speed Sport Auto w/Paddles

8-Speed Sport Automatic -inc: paddle shifters

Fuel

Safety

Driver Assistance

Lighting

Infotainment

Connectivity

Comfort

Convenience

Interior

Exterior

Security

View Inventory

Photos

AutoTrader Review

8.3

STYLING

QUALITY

PRACTICALITY

USABILITY/ERGONOMICS

FEATURES

POWERTRAIN

Comfort

DRIVABILITY

Fuel Economy

VALUE

The new-for-2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e shares its six-cylinder engine with the X5 40i, but with a hybrid system and plug-in capacity.

News15 Apr 2021 Best SUVs to Consider in 2021

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Review19 Oct 2020 2021 BMW X5 xDrive45e Review

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Review18 Nov 2020 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Review

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Recall Information

* Data provided by Transport Canada

Recall number

Recall date

System affected

Model year(s) affected

Recall number

2022-202

Recall date

2022-04-20

System affected

Structure

Model year(s) affected

2019 2020 2021 2022

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

61 81 22RC

Units Affected:

6,235

Notification Type:

Compliance Mfr

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could allow you to close the sunroof remotely without the key fob inside the vehicle. Canadian regulations require the key fob to be in or near the vehicle when closing the sunroof. Safety Risk: A sunroof that can be closed without the key fob in or near the vehicle could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to reprogram the roof function control unit. Alternatively, you can download an over-the-air update to fix this problem.

Recall number

2021-129

Recall date

2021-03-10

System affected

Seats And Restraints

Model year(s) affected

2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

52 81 21RC

Units Affected:

Notification Type:

Safety Mfr

Issue: Certain vehicles were equipped with incorrect head restraints on the second-row seats. As a result, the head restraints may not properly lock in place. This could cause the head restraints to detach in a crash. Safety Risk: Head restraints that detach in a crash could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the head restraints on the second-row outboard seats, if necessary.

Recall number

2021-078

Recall date

2021-02-18

System affected

Visual System

Model year(s) affected

2019 2020 2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

66 80 21RC

Units Affected:

2,263

Notification Type:

Compliance Mfr

Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear correctly in the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the rearview camera software, if necessary.

Recall number

2020-464

Recall date

2020-09-30

System affected

Electrical

Model year(s) affected

2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

61 87 20RC / M61 86 20RC

Units Affected:

194

Notification Type:

Safety Mfr

Issue: On certain plug-In hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), debris may have entered the high-voltage battery during production. As a result, the battery could short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit in the battery could create a fire risk. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail. The corrective actions for this recall are under development. BMW recommends that you should not charge your vehicle and that you should not drive the vehicle in manual mode, sport mode or use the shift paddles until the recall repairs have been completed. BMW also recommends that you should drain the high-voltage battery via iDrive, by setting/leaving the charging state at 30%, until the recall repairs have been completed.

Recall number

2020-409

Recall date

2020-09-01

System affected

Lights And Instruments

Model year(s) affected

2020 2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

51 83 20RC

Units Affected:

160

Notification Type:

Compliance Mfr

Issue: On certain vehicles, the wrong headlight lenses may have been installed. This could cause the headlights to produce blue light. Canadian regulations do not allow headlights to emit a blue light. Safety Risk: Headlights that produce blue light may confuse other road users. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the headlights. They will be replaced, if necessary.

Recall number

2020-385

Recall date

2020-08-18

System affected

Powertrain

Model year(s) affected

2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

61 82 20RC & M61 83 20RC

Units Affected:

Notification Type:

Safety Mfr

Issue: On certain Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), weld beads may not have been removed from the high voltage battery during assembly. As a result, during the initial charge to at least 80% of capacity, the weld beads could cause a short circuit between the battery cells. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the high voltage battery. The battery modules will be replaced, if necessary. Note: Only one of the affected vehicles was sold to a retail customer. Dealers will inspect and repair all other vehicles before they are sold.

Recall number

2020-380

Recall date

2020-08-14

System affected

Tires

Model year(s) affected

2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

36 80 20RC

Units Affected:

Notification Type:

Safety Mfr

Issue: A small number of vehicles were built with tires that may have a defect in the inner layer of the tire. This could lead to sudden loss of air pressure or a tire failure. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with Pirelli P-Zero 275/35R22 or Pirelli P-Zero 315/30R22 tires, with date codes of either 2820 or 2920. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: None of the affected vehicles have been sold to retail customers. BMW will instruct dealers to inspect the tires and each affected vehicle. The tires will be replaced, if necessary.

Recall number

2020-366

Recall date

2020-08-07

System affected

Powertrain

Model year(s) affected

2020 2021

View Issue

Manufacturer Recall Number:

12 85 20RC

Units Affected:

Notification Type:

Safety Mfr

Issue: On a small number of vehicles, an extra bolt may have been installed in the starter motor. The bolt was not properly attached and could fall into the transmission housing. If this happens, you may hear an unusual noise from the transmission and the engine could stall suddenly. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: None of the affected vehicles have been sold to retail customers. BMW will instruct dealers to inspect the vehicles. If an additional bolt is found, it will be removed. BMW will replace any parts that are damaged by this problem before the vehicles are sold.

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