2021 BMW X5

There are four trim versions available, including a plug-in hybrid and the sporty M50i which will be reviewed separately. The base trim sDrive40i comes with RWD and has all standard equipment and options; although, upgrading to the xDrive40i trim you get an AWD drivetrain as standard. For those who prefer to burn rubber, the M50i comes with a huge twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces 617 horsepower.

Which Trim should you buy?

The xDrive40i is the best option of the lineup, it offers you AWD over the base version. Furthermore, the xDrive40i comes equipped with adaptive air suspension, which gives a comfortable ride, as well as all of the features available as an add-on on the base trim. In addition, if you wish to improve your experience on the inside, you can choose a premium package that includes Harman/Kardon Stereo System, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Heads-up Display.

The 2021 X5 is the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. With a combined MPG of 23 and a huge 21.9-gallon tank, your 500-mile journey will be smooth sailing. In the city though, it offers a commendable average of 21MPG and can easily provide a range of 460 miles. The X5 hybrid, on the other hand, with a 24.0KWh battery gets a combined average of 50 MPG which is a great alternative for daily commuters.

The 2021 X5 offers a mediocre fuel capacity which affects its driving range. Mercedes GLE 450 offers the best driving range at 585 miles while others offer close to 500 miles of driving range. The Volvo XC90 does offer decent fuel economy. However; it falls short in driving range due to its smaller tank.

The 2021 X5 is very lavish on the inside and doesn’t fail to impress us. There's a lot of wood on the inside laced with high-end materials utilized throughout the cabin. There are plenty of charging points and a sea of luxury features to choose from as options. The seats come in Black-Leather for Base trims and BMW offers a bundle of options for its wider color-pallet and tailoring skills. They offer foodie-themed Upholstery in colors like coffee, cognac, truffle, and orange. All trims come with a power-adjustable steering column, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and customizable ambient lighting as standard. 

The passenger space inside is decent as well; you have enough space for 5 adults in the front and the rear. The front seats are power-adjustable and the driver seat has memory settings. Additional options include massaging seats, a leather dashboard, heated steering wheel, panoramic moonroof, quad-zone automatic climate control, and rear sunshades. The 2021 X5 comes with 5 seats as standard but you can add an optional third row. But then it does eat into your 33.9 cu-ft cargo space.

The X5 offers plenty of cargo space behind the second row. It has a good amount of room for passengers in both front row and rear row although other rivals like Volvo offer better. You can add a third row to the xDrive40i variant, but it barely does its job for kids, so we recommend keeping that room for cargo. Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 come in standard 7 seater configuration which means your standard cargo capacity is on the lesser side. Standout interior features:

• Synthetic Black Leather upholstery
• Customizable Ambient Lighting
• Automatic Climate Control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• 16-way power-adjustable front sport seats
• Memory settings for the driver's seat
• Panoramic Moonroof

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 X5 comes with two 12.3 inch touch screen displays as standard. It is very responsive, quick, and easy to operate. One is a digital gauge cluster that does look a bit clumsy and the other is the central dashboard-based infotainment system. The infotainment system runs on BMW’s iDrive software and comes with gesture navigation, standard touchscreen navigation, and a traditional rotary metal knob alongside some switches which are finished in glass. However, we’d prefer using the touch screen as it feels more intuitive. 

The screens, like your smartphone, can be customized with a variety of widgets, making them feel more personalized. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10 speaker stereo system, a touchpad controller, voice recognition, Bluetooth, 5 USB ports, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, HD radio are the standard features available on all trims. Additional features and options include a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon premium stereo system, and wireless charging. Standout Infotainment Features:

• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 10-Speaker stereo system
• Two displays for rear passengers
• USB Ports and Bluetooth

The 2021 X5 follows BMW’s age-old design language of a massive grille and wide air intakes along with a conservative styling that doesn’t go out of date. There are no new massive changes and that’s fine although the design might look bland compared to the rivals. The car boasts its presence due to its aggressive front which includes its conventional headlights but still manages to be sleek with an extremely neat and refined side profile. The black wheel arches on certain of the grades serve to remind everyone of the vehicle's sportier appearance.

In terms of dimensions, the BMW X5 is smaller than the Audi and Volvo, which both come with a third row as standard. The Q7 is the heaviest while being the smallest of the bunch. Because the differences in overall body dimensions are so small compared to its rivals, the X5's road presence is enough to remind you of being in a luxury SUV. Standout exterior features:

• Adaptive LED Headlamps
• Hands-free Power Tailgate
• LED Fog lights
• 19-Inch alloy wheels

The NHTSA gave the 2021 X5 a four-star rating for overall safety and the IIHS gave it the highest rating of “Good” in all six crash tests. The Icon Adaptive Headlights were awarded “good” but the standard headlamps were rated poor. 

BMW offers all the Basic Driver assistance features such as automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning. Some Advanced safety features as options include a heads-up display, hands-free Parallel Park, and Surround-view parking camera. Some of the standout Safety Features:

• Lane-keeping assist
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic high beams
• Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Lane-departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert

2021 BMW X5 vs. 2021 Mercedes Benz GLE Class

The GLE is a mid-size luxury SUV that does its job well, offering a well-balanced ride and a variety of powertrain options. The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers several advantages over the X5, including a lower starting price and a better cabin. However, the X5 does feature a hybrid model, and with BMW’s refined engine and transmission, the X5 is a better performance-oriented vehicle, while the Mercedes is comfort-oriented.

 2021 BMW X5 vs. 2021 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 comes with AWD as standard along with a third row and is cheaper than the BMW. It has a great cabin with wide usage of quality materials. The performance of the vehicle is good and the car is comfortable and can take sharp corners and bumpy roads with ease. If you are looking for a 7-seater SUV then the Q7 does the job.

2021 BMW X5 vs. 2021 Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is another vehicle with a third row as standard and is still cheaper than the BMW. Like others, the Volvo comes with a good number of safety features and options, a nice modern interior with improved tech features. The exterior of the car can be a subject of debate as it feels outdated compared to the rivals or the X5. When the choice boils down to be based on performance; the BMW is a clear winner in this case.

Even though the 2021 X5 is priced slightly higher than its competitors, the BMW justifies its price. The interior is on par with that of the Audi and the Volvo, the exterior looks refreshing and aggressive and thanks to the new massive kidney grilles, more muscular, and lastly the X5 is the most fun to drive due to its comparatively massive engine and smooth transmission. The 2021 BMW X5 is a very good option for someone in the market for a mid-size luxury SUV and the xDrive40i trim manages to pack the entire bundle in a well-priced package.