2017 BMW X5 Review: Reasonably Dependable SUV With Expensive Ownership Costs As It Ages

The 2017 BMW X5 lasts around 200,000 miles with some fuel pump and sunroof issues reported. At $36,980 to $61,540, it’s expensive, but worth the money for a very nice midsize luxury SUV.

Is the 2017 BMW X5 a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2017 is a great year for the BMW X5 since it offers a strong mix of performance and luxury. Owner reviews praise the premium cabin, powerful engines along with the advanced technology.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are very luxurious for an SUV, the seats are comfortable on long drives, cargo space is also great with the rear seats folded.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread issues on the 2017 X5. Avoid models from 2011–2013 since they have engine issues. Models from 2014–2021 are all better.
• Performance 9/10 – Performance is good from the standard 6-cylinder engine, while the available V8 is very quick for an SUV of its size.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2017 X5 is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with parking sensors. Optional upgrades include a 360-degree camera, automatic emergency braking, along with adaptive cruise control.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 25 MPG, giving 560 miles of range from the 22.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $21 cheaper than average at $223 per month.
• Value 7/10 – The 2017 BMW X5 is reasonably affordable on the used market, but depreciation is faster than other SUVs, giving it an average value rating.

What Do Critics Say About the BMW X5?

• Consumer Reports says the 2017 BMW X5 is a very comfortable and refined luxury SUV, with good owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the X5 at 4.4/5, praising the luxurious cabin, but doesn’t like the very limited legroom in the third row.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the 2017 X5 a 4.4/5, enjoying the sporty driving experience, but owners don’t like the firm suspension compared to other SUVs.

What Common Problems Does the 2017 BMW X5 Have?

Common problems found on the 2017 BMW X5 include fuel pump failures, leaking sunroofs, along with some stereo system issues. Overall, these problems are similar to some other luxury SUVs in the same price range, but repair costs are high due to the expensive parts and labor.

Fuel pump failures are the most widespread complaint on the 2017 X5, showing up at roughly 45,000 miles. There are high pressure fuel pump issues which are widespread across many BMW models from this era. BMW has also issued a recall on the fuel pump and will replace it free of charge in affected models.

Leaking sunroofs are another problem mentioned by several BMW X5 owners in the first 5,000 miles. The problem is usually caused by an improperly installed gasket, or a clogged sunroof drain line. Fixing the problem is usually covered under warranty when it’s caught while the SUV is so new, but out of warranty can cost around $400 to fix.

Some stereo system issues have also been reported on the 2017 X5 at around 1,000 miles. Usually the problem involves the stereo and navigation system freezing up. There are software updates available which improve the reliability of the system. Most dealerships will install these updates for free as part of a normal service, while some charge around $50.

There are five recalls on the 2017 BMW X5, which is similar to many other luxury SUVs from the same year. The most serious recall covers a coolant leak in the EGR module which could lead to a fire. BMW will replace the full EGR cooler on affected models for free.

How Long Will the 2017 BMW X5 Last?

A well-maintained 2017 BMW X5 can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than other midsize luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $1,134 per year.

As a used 2017 BMW X5 reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the drive belt idler pulley for $300, wheel bearings costing $600, along with the timing chain tensioner which costs $700.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is great with a standard 10.2-inch display screen with BMW’s iDrive technology. Optional upgrades include a powerful Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

Standard safety technology is okay, offering parking sensors and a rearview camera.

Optional driver assistance features include:

• 360-degree camera
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition
• Night vision camera
• Automatic parallel parking
• Adaptive pivoting headlights

Is the 2017 BMW X5 a Good Value?

Yes, the 2017 BMW X5 is a good value since it offers plenty of technology and performance for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $36,980 to $61,540, making it more than a Volvo XC90 or Acura MDX. When new, the price range was $56,600 to $100,700. Depreciation is worse than other midsize SUVs, losing about 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the BMW X5?

There are five main models of the 2017 BMW X5 offered, from the entry-level sDrive35i all the way through to the sportier xDrive50i. The BMW X5 comes standard with rear-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.

sDrive35i, xDrive35i, and the xDrive35d have:

• 19-inch wheels
• Adaptive xenon headlights and LED fog lights
• Power-folding and heated mirrors
• Auto-dimming mirrors and automatic wipers
• Panoramic sunroof and roof rails
• Power liftgate and front and rear parking sensors
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power adjustable steering column
• Premium vinyl upholstery
• 14-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with driver memory functions
• 40/20/40-split folding rear seats
• BMW Assist emergency telematics
• Bluetooth phone and streaming audio
• 2-inch central display screen, BMW’s iDrive technology interface
• Navigation system with real-time traffic information, voice controls
• Nine-speaker sound system with a CD player, USB and auxiliary audio inputs, and HD radio.

xDrive40e is a step up, adding:

• Includes all features of 35i models
• Adjustable suspension dampers and rear air suspension (optional on all other X5s)
• Hybrid-specific instrumentation and additional iDrive menu items.

xDrive50i is the sportiest model which has:

• Includes all features of the 35i models
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Leather seats
• 16-way power front seats
• Four-zone climate control
• Rearview camera
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system and satellite radio.

Optional features and packages for all models:

• Luxury, xLine, and M Sport equipment lines with different wheel designs (up to 20 inches), color schemes, trim and upholstery types. The M Sport also includes sport front seats and shift paddles for the transmission.
• Premium package for all but the 50i (keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot and a wireless charging pad)
• Luxury Seating package (the multicontour front seats, ventilated seats)
• Cold Weather package (a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats)
• Driver Assistance package for 35i and 35d models (rearview camera and a head-up display, a prerequisite for the Driver Assistance Plus package with adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and a suite of advanced safety features)
• Dynamic Handling package for xDrive models (an enhanced all-wheel-drive system and a body-roll mitigation feature)
• Lighting package (upgraded adaptive LED headlights and automatic high-beam headlight control)
• Other options include sportier adaptive M suspension (not available on the 40e), automated parking assistance, soft-close automatic doors, upgraded and/or extended leather upholstery, upgraded interior trim, smartphone app integration, manual sunshades for the rear windows
• Second-row comfort seats and a third-row seat (includes the rear air suspension) for all X5s except the hybrid
• Deluxe Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a night-vision camera system.

What Engines Come In the BMW X5?

• The base engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six (sDrive35i and xDrive35i models) which generates 300 horsepower at up to 23 MPG. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both models can accelerate from 0-60 mph in around six seconds.
• Next up is the xDrive50i’s 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 engine, which produces a robust 445 horsepower at up to 17 MPG. Like the inline-six, this engine is also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 mph acceleration time for the xDrive50i is quick at around 4.7 seconds.
• The X5 also offers a diesel engine option, found in the xDrive35d model. This 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine generates 255 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission at up to 25 MPG.
• Finally, there is the X5 xDrive40e, a plug-in hybrid model. It combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 308 horsepower. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic. Its combined fuel economy is 24 mpg, or 56 MPGe when using both gas and electric power. The 0-60 mph time for the xDrive40e is about 6.5 seconds.

What Colors Does the BMW X5 Come In?

How Comfortable Is the BMW X5?

The 2017 BMW X5 has a luxurious and comfortable interior. It can accommodate up to five passengers in its standard configuration, but an optional third row can increase this capacity to seven, although the third row is best suited for children. The seats are comfortable with standard 14-way power-adjustable front seats, providing ample support for long journeys. The optional multi-contour seats offer even more adjustability and come with a massaging function.

The cabin is very quiet, isolating passengers from road and wind noise effectively. The ride quality is smooth, courtesy of the X5’s advanced suspension system, which absorbs road imperfections well. This is true even when the vehicle is equipped with larger wheels or the optional sport suspension. The X5 also offers generous legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers in the rear seats. Overall, the 2017 BMW X5 delivers a very comfortable driving and riding experience.

How Much Storage Space Does the BMW X5 Have?

The 2017 BMW X5, a luxury midsize SUV, provides a notable amount of storage space. It offers 35.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. This space could comfortably accommodate items such as a couple of large suitcases, a stroller, or a full load of grocery bags.

If you need more room, the rear seats can be folded down, expanding the cargo space to 76.7 cubic feet. In this configuration, the X5 can accommodate larger items like a bike, small furniture pieces, or even a kayak. This makes the BMW X5 not only luxurious and comfortable but also quite practical for various cargo needs.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The third generation of the BMW X5 was introduced for the 2014 model year.

2015: Slightly more efficient due to updates to the transmission software.

2016: New xDrive40e Plug-In hybrid model available which is much more efficient.

2017: Added Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless charging pad.

2018: The M Sport package now has all the same features as the Premium package.

2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation, more spacious cabin, improved engines, and better technology.

2020: The V8-Powered M50i model was added to the lineup for a sportier driving experience.

2021: New xDrive45e plug-in hybrid introduced, xDrive50i discontinued, standard Android Auto.

How Does the BMW X5 Compare to the Competition?

The 2017 BMW X5 is a very nice luxury SUV, although shoppers should be prepared for high ownership costs as they age due to the expensive parts and labor for them.

The BMW X3 is a smaller SUV offered by BMW, which is available for around $5,000 less. Steering is more responsive in the BMW X3, while the BMW X5 offers more passenger and cargo space. We recommend the BMW X5 for most shoppers since it’s a more practical choice.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is another SUV which is available for around $5,000 less as well. Off-road performance is better in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the interior is more luxurious in the BMW X5. We recommend the BMW X5 since it’s more fun to drive, and has fewer mechanical issues reported.

Do Owners Recommend the BMW X5?