2021 BMW X5

AS REVIEWED BY EDMUNDS 2021 BMW X5 Review byReese Counts Vehicle Test Editor Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family. Pros Strong performance from available engines Luxurious, comfortable cabin lives up to its price tag Spacious cabin and cargo area Cons Small mirrors and wide roof pillars create blind spots Limited interior storage Wide doorsills inhibit entry and exit What's new The xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model debuts Last year's xDrive50i is discontinued Android Auto is now standard Minor feature changes Part of the fourth X5 generation introduced for 2019 Overview The original X5 was one of the first luxury SUVs to hit the market, and each subsequent generation has only improved on that successful formula. This 2021 X5, which is part of the fourth generation that debuted just a couple of years ago, is an impressively luxurious and capable SUV. Whether you're looking for performance, a premium cabin design or the latest in technology features, the X5's got it. There's even a new plug-in hybrid X5 this year. Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 BMW X5 sDrive40i 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.01 per gallon for premium unleaded in Montana. Monthly estimates based on costs in Montana $216/mo for X5 sDrive40i X5 sDrive40i  vs $239/mo Avg. Large SUV Calculate my fuel costs Unlike those early days of the X5, however, there's plenty of competition when it comes to midsize luxury SUVs for 2021. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is one the X5's most direct rivals. It offers many of the same features as well as a range of trims and performance variants that line up about evenly with what you'll see on the X5. There's also the Porsche Cayenne to consider if you're willing to spend more for the best-driving vehicle in its class. And if you need even more space, the BMW X7 is essentially an X5 with more rear passenger and cargo space. But if you like the X5, check out our X5 Expert Rating to see our in-depth evaluation. What's it like to live with? Thinking about buying an X5? You'll want to read what our experts' take on what it's like to drive an xDrive40i every day. We're testing it for a year and reporting on qualities such as comfort, fuel economy and reliability. Check out our 2020 BMW X5 xDrive40i long-term test for our in-depth coverage. Edmunds Expert Rating Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. Theyre based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience. Good 7.9 out of 10 edmunds TESTED The BMW X5 comes packed with technology features, but buyers will have to spend a lot of time learning the various menus and buttons to extract the most out of it. Compared to its competitors, the X5 is the jack-of-all-trades SUV and effectively handles both utility tasks and performance drives with equal aplomb. Rated for you by America's best test team. Performance 8.0/10 How does the X5 drive? We tested the xDrive40i. The six-cylinder engine is suitably powerful and responsive enough for the daily commute. Whether you pick this engine or the V8, the X5 is one