2021 BMW X5 Values & Cars for Sale | Kelley Blue Book

As we’ve noted, the X5’s road manners are outstanding. Indeed, in overall vehicle dynamics, this latest-generation X5 outclasses its luxury SUV rivals. It also proves that BMW hasn’t forgotten that whole “Ultimate Driving Machine” motto, even in a crossover that will likely spend its life as an executive commuter or shuffling kids to piano lessons and sports practice.

The 2021 X5 is also one of those rare examples where the base engine, a turbocharged inline-6, has all the muscle required to make the whole package a truly remarkable machine, feeling lighter than the X5’s 5,000-pound bulk would suggest.

Part of the secret lies in the selectable driving modes, ranging from Eco Pro to Sport Plus. So the X5 will satisfy on a corner-carving solo jaunt as well as carry a family in soothing comfort. The all-wheel-drive setups have a rearward power bias to create more of a sporty feel, sending more drive to the front whenever necessary. If you don’t need AWD and want to shave some costs, the X5 is also the rare SUV that’s available with just rear-wheel drive RWD) in the base X5 sDrive40i.

But if you have a real craving for power and the deep pockets to scratch that itch, the V8-powered X5 M50i is undeniably satisfying. Its 523 horses enable this luxury SUV to do 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds – sports car territory. The X5 M, with its 600-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, is even quicker.

We are eager to test the new X5 PHEV, so stay tuned for our impressions on this new-gen plug-in X5. It has more power than the last one offered in 2018, and over twice the all-electric driving range.

All X5s use a sublime 8-speed automatic transmission that really is among the best out there. For 2019 and 2020, the X5 was available with an off-road package that gave it some genuine chops for off-roading, but that package has been discontinued for 2021. A shame, but we imagine not many buyers are taking their high-end SUV off the beaten path.