The G05 is the best BMW X5 generation overall, and the 2023 X5 (G05) is the best model year: NHTSA lists 33 complaints, the fewest here, KBB owners rate its reliability 4.2 out of 5, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $37,200 to $49,200. The F15 is the best value, with the 2018 at 73 complaints from $16,100 and the 2016 at 74 complaints from $12,250. The cheapest X5 here is the 2003 (E53) from $2,275, and the E70 years rank lowest.
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $37,200 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $62,595), $39,000 for the xDrive40i (originally $64,895), $39,400 for the xDrive45e (originally $66,695) up to $49,200 for the M50i (originally $86,395)
Buyers who want the cleanest record: 33 NHTSA complaints, the fewest on the list
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $16,100 for the X5 sDrive35i (originally $59,295), $17,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $62,745), $18,800 for the xDrive50i (originally $79,095) up to $20,600 for the xDrive35d (originally $67,645); the xDrive40e iPerformance is $16,550
Buyers who want the last F15 from $16,100 with only 73 NHTSA complaints
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,250 for the X5 sDrive35i (originally $56,095), $13,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $60,945), $13,300 for the xDrive40e (originally $71,295), $14,800 for the xDrive35d (originally $66,145) up to $15,300 for the xDrive50i (originally $76,295)
Buyers who want an F15 from $12,250 with 74 NHTSA complaints
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $31,200 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $62,645), $34,200 for the xDrive40i (originally $64,945), $34,400 for the xDrive45e (originally $66,695) up to $41,300 for the M50i (originally $84,795)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,900 for the X5 xDrive50i (originally $73,750), $10,950 for the sDrive35i (originally $54,650), $11,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $59,650) up to $13,400 for the xDrive35d (originally $61,525)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $2,550 for the X5 3.0i (originally $45,120), $3,750 for the 4.4i (originally $53,495) up to $5,125 for the 4.8is (originally $70,795)
Buyers who want the best E53 here, from $2,550, with 3 recall campaigns
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $27,000 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $64,645), $30,000 for the xDrive40i (originally $66,945), $30,500 for the xDrive45e (originally $70,395) up to $38,100 for the M50i (originally $84,795)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $2,275 for the X5 3.0i (originally $42,920), $3,750 for the 4.4i (originally $50,645) up to $4,225 for the 4.6is (originally $67,495)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,725 for the X5 xDrive50i (originally $66,945), $6,575 for the xDrive35i (originally $52,045), $8,000 for the xDrive35i Premium (originally $62,195) up to $9,250 for the xDrive35d (originally $63,095)
Buyers who want the last E70 from $5,725
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2023 BMW X5 (G05)
Best value
2018 BMW X5 (F15)
Fewest recalls
2022 BMW X5 (G05)
Cheapest X5
2003 BMW X5 (E53)
The ranking
1
2023 BMW X5 (G05)
Photo: Dinkun Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fewest complaints of any X5 here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $37,200 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $62,595), $39,000 for the xDrive40i (originally $64,895), $39,400 for the xDrive45e (originally $66,695) up to $49,200 for the M50i (originally $86,395)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2023 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 33 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2023 BMW X5 4.2 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2023 X5 is the newest G05 on the list and the cleanest: NHTSA lists 33 complaints, the fewest here, and 4 recall campaigns. Owners rate reliability 4.2 out of 5, KBB gives 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg, and Fair Purchase Prices run from $37,200 for the sDrive40i to $49,200 for the M50i, with the xDrive40i at $39,000. A low complaint count partly reflects less time on the road.
Go ifBuyers who want the cleanest record: 33 NHTSA complaints, the fewest on the list
Skip ifYou want to spend under $30,000
Why #1 over #2: It lists 33 complaints versus 73 for the 2018, though the 2018 starts at $16,100 versus $37,200.
2
2018 BMW X5 (F15)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best value: 73 complaints from $16,100.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $16,100 for the X5 sDrive35i (originally $59,295), $17,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $62,745), $18,800 for the xDrive50i (originally $79,095) up to $20,600 for the xDrive35d (originally $67,645); the xDrive40e iPerformance is $16,550NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2018 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 73 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2018 BMW X5 4.3 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 255-445 hp and 17-25 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2018 X5 is the last F15 and the best value here: $16,100 for the sDrive35i, $17,050 for the xDrive35i, $18,800 for the xDrive50i and $20,600 for the xDrive35d, with the xDrive40e iPerformance at $16,550. NHTSA lists 73 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.3 out of 5, and KBB gives 255-445 hp and 17-25 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last F15 from $16,100 with only 73 NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want fewer than 5 recall campaigns
Why #2 over #3: It lists 73 complaints versus 74 for the 2016, though the 2016 starts lower, at $12,250 versus $16,100.
3
2016 BMW X5 (F15)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe F15 for $12,250 with a low complaint count.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,250 for the X5 sDrive35i (originally $56,095), $13,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $60,945), $13,300 for the xDrive40e (originally $71,295), $14,800 for the xDrive35d (originally $66,145) up to $15,300 for the xDrive50i (originally $76,295)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2016 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 74 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2016 BMW X5 4.3 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 255-445 hp and 17-26 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2016 X5 is the F15 with the widest range for the money: $12,250 for the sDrive35i, $13,050 for the xDrive35i, $13,300 for the xDrive40e plug-in, $14,800 for the xDrive35d and $15,300 for the xDrive50i. NHTSA lists 74 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.3 out of 5, and KBB gives 255-445 hp and 17-26 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want an F15 from $12,250 with 74 NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want 0 recall campaigns
Why #3 over #4: It lists 74 complaints versus 75 for the 2022, and starts at $12,250 versus $31,200.
4
2022 BMW X5 (G05)
Photo: Captainmorlypogi1959 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fewest recalls here, at 1 campaign.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $31,200 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $62,645), $34,200 for the xDrive40i (originally $64,945), $34,400 for the xDrive45e (originally $66,695) up to $41,300 for the M50i (originally $84,795)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2022 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 75 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2022 BMW X5 4.2 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2022 X5 is a G05 with the fewest recalls on the list: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 75 complaints. Prices run from $31,200 for the sDrive40i to $41,300 for the M50i, with the xDrive40i at $34,200 and the xDrive45e at $34,400. Owners rate reliability 4.2 out of 5, and KBB gives 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a G05 with only 1 recall campaign
Skip ifYou want to spend under $25,000
Why #4 over #5: It lists 75 complaints and 1 recall versus 99 and 8 for the 2014, though the 2014 starts at $10,900 versus $31,200.
5
2014 BMW X5 (F15)
Photo: EurovisionNim / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest F15 here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,900 for the X5 xDrive50i (originally $73,750), $10,950 for the sDrive35i (originally $54,650), $11,050 for the xDrive35i (originally $59,650) up to $13,400 for the xDrive35d (originally $61,525)NHTSA recalls: 8 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2014 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 99 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2014 BMW X5 4.3 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 255-445 hp and 17-26 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2014 X5 is the first F15 here, from $10,900 for the xDrive50i and $10,950 for the sDrive35i to $13,400 for the xDrive35d, with the xDrive35i at $11,050. NHTSA lists 99 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.3 out of 5, and KBB gives 255-445 hp and 17-26 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first F15 from $10,900
Skip ifYou want fewer than 99 complaints or 8 recall campaigns
Why #5 over #6: It lists 99 complaints versus 103 for the 2005, though the 2005 lists 3 recalls versus 8 and a 4.4 owner rating versus 4.3.
6
2005 BMW X5 (E53)
Photo: Calreyn88 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best E53, with a 4.4 owner rating.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $2,550 for the X5 3.0i (originally $45,120), $3,750 for the 4.4i (originally $53,495) up to $5,125 for the 4.8is (originally $70,795)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2005 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 103 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2005 BMW X5 4.4 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 225-355 hp and 16 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2005 X5 is the best E53 here, from $2,550 for the 3.0i to $5,125 for the 4.8is, with the 4.4i at $3,750. NHTSA lists 103 complaints and 3 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.4 out of 5, and KBB gives 225-355 hp and 16 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the best E53 here, from $2,550, with 3 recall campaigns
Skip ifYou want modern safety and infotainment
Why #6 over #7: It lists 103 complaints versus 111 for the 2021, though the 2021 starts at $27,000 versus $2,550.
7
2021 BMW X5 (G05)
Photo: Dinkun Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA cheaper G05, but with 12 recalls.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $27,000 for the X5 sDrive40i (originally $64,645), $30,000 for the xDrive40i (originally $66,945), $30,500 for the xDrive45e (originally $70,395) up to $38,100 for the M50i (originally $84,795)NHTSA recalls: 12 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2021 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 111 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2021 BMW X5 4.2 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2021 X5 is a G05 from $27,000 for the sDrive40i to $38,100 for the M50i, with the xDrive40i at $30,000 and the xDrive45e at $30,500. NHTSA lists 111 complaints and 12 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.2 out of 5, and KBB gives 335-523 hp and 18-23 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a G05 from $27,000
Skip ifYou want fewer than 12 recall campaigns
Why #7 over #8: It lists 111 complaints versus 115 for the 2003, though the 2003 starts at $2,275 versus $27,000.
8
2003 BMW X5 (E53)
Photo: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest X5 on the list.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $2,275 for the X5 3.0i (originally $42,920), $3,750 for the 4.4i (originally $50,645) up to $4,225 for the 4.6is (originally $67,495)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2003 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 115 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2003 BMW X5 4.4 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 225-340 hp and 14-16 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2003 X5 is the cheapest on the list: $2,275 for the 3.0i, $3,750 for the 4.4i and $4,225 for the 4.6is. NHTSA lists 115 complaints and 4 recall campaigns, owners rate reliability 4.4 out of 5, and KBB gives 225-340 hp and 14-16 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the cheapest X5 here, from $2,275
Skip ifYou want fewer than 115 complaints
Why #8 over #9: It lists 115 complaints and 4 recalls versus 143 and 13 for the 2007, and a 4.4 owner rating versus 4.1.
9
2007 BMW X5 (E70)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first E70, with 13 recalls.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $3,275 for the X5 4.8i (originally $55,195) and $3,900 for the 3.0si (originally $48,045)NHTSA recalls: 13 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2007 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 143 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2007 BMW X5 4.1 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 260-350 hp and 16-17 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2007 X5 is the first E70, at $3,275 for the 4.8i and $3,900 for the 3.0si. NHTSA lists 143 complaints and 13 recall campaigns, the most recalls here; owners rate reliability 4.1 out of 5, and KBB gives 260-350 hp and 16-17 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first E70 from $3,275 and accept the risk
Skip ifYou want fewer than 13 recall campaigns
Why #9 over #10: It lists 143 complaints versus 162 for the 2013, though the 2013 lists 7 recalls versus 13.
10
2013 BMW X5 (E70)
Photo: Mark König / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last E70, with the most complaints here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,725 for the X5 xDrive50i (originally $66,945), $6,575 for the xDrive35i (originally $52,045), $8,000 for the xDrive35i Premium (originally $62,195) up to $9,250 for the xDrive35d (originally $63,095)NHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2013 BMW X5 (unique campaign numbers across the X5 model names NHTSA uses)NHTSA complaints: 162 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW X5 (unique complaints across its X5 model names)Owner reliability: KBB owners rate the 2013 BMW X5 4.1 out of 5 for reliabilityPower and economy: 265-400 hp and 16-22 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2013 X5 is the last E70, from $5,725 for the xDrive50i to $9,250 for the xDrive35d, with the xDrive35i at $6,575 and the xDrive35i Premium at $8,000. NHTSA lists 162 complaints, the most on the list, and 7 recall campaigns; owners rate reliability 4.1 out of 5, and KBB gives 265-400 hp and 16-22 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last E70 from $5,725
Skip ifYou want fewer than 162 complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked ten BMW X5 model years sold in the US across the four generations: the E53 (KBB lists 2000-2006), the E70 (second generation), the F15 (third generation) and the G05 (fourth generation, which debuted for 2019). Ranking is by NHTSA owner complaint counts first, then recall campaigns, then Kelley Blue Book owner reliability ratings, with used prices from KBB. Counts were read from the NHTSA API and prices from KBB when we checked, and prices change weekly. NHTSA files the X5 under several model names (X5, X5 SAV, X5 M, X5 HYBRID, X5 PHEV, X5 SDRIVE35I, X5 XDRIVE35I, X5 XDRIVE35D, X5 XDRIVE50I, X5 XDRIVE40E and X5 XDRIVE45E), so complaint counts are unique complaints and recall counts are unique campaign numbers across those names. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so they rank higher on that measure, and mileage matters as much as year. Best generation overall: the G05, with the 2023 at the top of the list; best value: the F15. For the wider class see our Top 10 Luxury SUVs at /cars/best-luxury-suvs-2027/, and for a rival German flagship our Best Mercedes-Benz S-Class Model Years at /cars/best-mercedes-benz-s-class-model-years-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What are the BMW X5 generations?
The X5 comes in four generations: E53 (the first, which KBB lists as 2000-2006), E70 (second generation), F15 (third generation) and G05 (fourth generation, which debuted for 2019). KBB owners rate them 4.4 out of 5 for the E53, 4.1 for the E70, 4.3 for the F15 and 4.2 for the G05.
Which X5 generation is best?
The G05 is the best overall by our data: the 2023 has 33 NHTSA complaints and the 2022 lists 1 recall campaign, with KBB prices from $31,200. The F15 is the best value, with the 2018 at 73 complaints from $16,100 and the 2016 at 74 complaints from $12,250. The E53 has the highest KBB owner rating, 4.4 out of 5, but is the oldest.
What is the best BMW X5 model year to buy used?
The 2023 X5 (G05), with 33 NHTSA complaints, 4 recall campaigns, a 4.2 out of 5 KBB owner reliability rating and KBB Fair Purchase Prices from $37,200 to $49,200. The 2018 is the best older pick, with 73 complaints from $16,100.
What is the cheapest X5 model year here?
The 2003 X5 (E53), with a KBB Fair Purchase Price from $2,275 for the 3.0i, but it has 115 NHTSA complaints. The 2005 starts at $2,550 with 103 complaints.
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD) at a glance
2003 BMW X5 (E53)$2,275
2005 BMW X5 (E53)$2,550
2007 BMW X5 (E70)$3,275
2013 BMW X5 (E70)$5,725
2014 BMW X5 (F15)$10,900
2016 BMW X5 (F15)$12,250
2018 BMW X5 (F15)$16,100
2021 BMW X5 (G05)$27,000
2022 BMW X5 (G05)$31,200
2023 BMW X5 (G05)$37,200
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
