2021 BMW X5 review

2021 BMW X5 Review: 

The BMW X5 is a luxury midsize SUV with seating for five that's enjoyable to drive and packs plenty of power. Its roomy interior has plenty of space for passengers, and the 70 cubic feet of cargo space provides ample room for their stuff, too. You'll get a powerful X5 no matter what flavor you opt for, from the base six-cylinder to the new-for-2021 fuel-efficient xDrive45e plug-in hybrid to the ultra-powerful V8-powered M50i and M Competition.

In addition to the introduction of the plug-in hybrid model, which can go an EPA-estimated 30 miles on a single charge

, BMW made Android Auto™ a standard feature for 2021. The xDrive50i, which featured the V8 engine but was less sport-oriented than the M50i and M Competition, was discontinued for 2021, too.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

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What tech does the 2021 BMW X5 have?

Connectivity

The BMW X5 has basic Bluetooth® connectivity for music and phone calls, USB-A and USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ capability. During testing, Edmunds editors experienced a few signal dropouts, but they resolved themselves and only lasted a few seconds each time. Google Home and Amazon Alexa™ are also supported.

Infotainment

A big plus of BMW's user interface is the choice of control method. You can either interact with the control knob on the center console or simply use the touchscreen. This is unusual—many automakers typically have one or the other.

The iDrive user interface makes entering destinations and searching points of interest easy. Traffic information requires a subscription but provides accurate info and reroutes you if needed. The excellent Harman Kardon® system reproduces music clearly with excellent mids and highs. Music can be streamed directly via files on a USB drive or through your smartphone.

Driver-Assist Tech

The X5's adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert are excellent, though Edmunds editors found the active lane centering and auto high beams to be about average. Auto parking and 3D surround-view mode are clunky to operate. Models equipped with the Driving Assistance Professional package come with all of the active driving aids, and the Parking Assistant package includes the automated parking system (which steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention).

How comfortable is the 2021 BMW X5? 

Front Seating

Front Seating

The BMW X5 offers an upright seating position that provides a commanding view of the road. Drivers of all sizes will appreciate the excellent adjustability of the seats and steering wheel, making it easy to find a comfortable position. Power-adjustable bolsters can be tightened for spirited driving or relaxed for enhanced comfort. Additionally, the high placement of the gauge cluster and armrests contributes to overall usability. The standard power front seats are adjustable 12 ways and include heating. The seats are even more comfortable on models equipped with the Executive package, as they add a greater range of adjustment and softer leather. There are two memory settings for the driver's seat for those who share a vehicle with a significant other.

Rear Seating

While the X5's rear seats are softer and designed for extended journeys, they lack bolstering and are notably flat. Rear legroom measures 37.4 inches, falling short of the Mercedes-Benz GLE's 40.9 inches. However, the BMW X5 surpasses the Mercedes GLE in rear headroom, offering 39.4 inches compared to 36.9 inches.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

In testing, Edmunds found that X5 models with the available air suspension had a smooth ride for the most part, but harsher impacts and pavement seams could still be felt throughout 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.

Does the 2021 BMW X5 have good storage?

Cargo 

While the X5's unique power-clamshell tailgate lengthens the reach to the very back, it does ease the loading and unloading of cargo. The X5 boasts a spacious 33.9-cubic-foot rear cargo area (with a maximum of 72.3 cubic feet with the seats down), which is slightly larger than the Mercedes GLE. The good news for shoppers interested in the plug-in hybrid X5 is that the battery won't cause much of an impact on the cargo space as it does on some cars. You get 31.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and about 71.2 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Inset tie-down loops ensure a completely flat cargo floor for easy sliding of items.

Storage

The armrest compartment is spacious enough to fit a few standard water bottles or a small camera. The door pockets are moderately sized in both length and width. Additionally, there's a narrow but deep pocket with a wireless phone charger located in front of the shifter; however, access to this area becomes limited when the cupholders are in use.

How easy is the 2021 BMW X5 to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The X5's seats are set inward from the door, requiring passengers to scoot in laterally to enter. This issue can feel worse if the car has running boards because they can get in the way. Taller drivers should avoid these. Besides, the optional adjustable ride height system makes them unnecessary even for shorter drivers.

Entering the rear of the X5 can be a bit of a challenge due to the thick doors that don't open a full 90 degrees. Although most adults won't need to duck because of the roofline, they will have to navigate their feet over a wide sill and through the narrow space between the seat and the molded door pocket.

Though all three rear seats have upper anchors for child car seats, the lower anchors are most accessible in the two outboard positions. These lower anchors are clearly marked behind plastic covers.

Interior Layout and Visibility

You get great views out of the front and sides of the X5, and the available surround-view camera system comes in handy, especially when you're parking. Rear visibility is decent if your seat is adjusted properly, but just a heads-up: The side mirrors and door frame can sometimes hide pedestrians or other cars. If you don't have the surround camera, you may notice there are a few blind spots, and it can be tricky to judge distances. If this is a concern, keep an eye out for models with the full parking sensor features.

BMW puts a lot of functions into its iDrive infotainment system, too many in the opinion of Edmunds editors. Many features are either app-based or hidden within sub-menus, and even the physical shortcuts for lights and display brightness aren't intuitive and offer only minimal convenience. However, BMW gives drivers the choice of using the touchscreen or the console-mounted rotary control knob. This functionality can make it easier for most drivers to get started, though mastering its advanced features will require some practice.

What’s the 2021 BMW X5 like to drive?

Driving

The X5 is among the quickest non-performance-oriented SUVs available, regardless of whether you choose the standard yet powerful and responsive six-cylinder engine, the torquey plug-in hybrid, or the refined V8. The plug-in hybrid xDrive45e is praised for its smooth driving, even when switching from electric to gas mode, and its strong braking performance

The X5's driving modes and adaptive suspension play an important role in its handling. In the Comfort setting, the ride is soft and the body feels floaty, enough that sensitive tummies might get upset on a twisting road. In Sport mode, the suspension stiffens up and drastically reduces body motions, making for a harsher but more controlled ride. In typical day-to-day driving, the X5 is easy to drive, and its eight-speed transmission shifts quickly and smoothly.

Towing

When equipped with the air suspension, the X5 xDrive40i offers consistent handling due to its load-leveling capability. While its standard towing capacity is 6,603 pounds when properly equipped, capacity increases to 7,500 pounds with the optional factory-installed hitch

.

The xDrive45e and xDrive50e can tow up to 5,952 pounds

,, which is impressive for a plug-in hybrid. However, towing this weight would quickly exhaust the electric range and cancel out its fuel-saving benefits

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The use case for the xDrive45e will depend on your ability to charge it every day and generally stay within the electric range. Otherwise, the standard six-cylinder X5 offers comparable fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates it can travel 30 miles on EV-only power with a full charge

, which is impressive given the X5's size and weight. After that, the fuel economy drops to an EPA-estimated 22 mpg.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates