2021 BMW X5 towing capacity
Max tow rating
7,200lb
- sDrive40i RWD, 3.0L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 7,200 lb.
- Top 23% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 5,700 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 7,200 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 5,760 lb
- Margin
- 1,500 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- Curb weight not listed
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 14-18 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 7,200 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 5,760 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 5,760 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 5,760 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 5,760 lb |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 7,200 lb: sDrive40i RWD, $59,400.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sDrive40i RWD | 3.0L 6cyl | RWD | 7,200 lb | 4,828 lb to 5,368 lb | $59,400 |
| xDrive45e AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 7,200 lb | 4,978 lb to 5,646 lb | $65,400 |
| M50i AWD | 4.4L 8cyl | AWD | 7,200 lb | 5,260 lb | $82,800 |
| xDrive40i AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 6,603 lb to 7,200 lb | 4,863 lb to 5,368 lb | $61,700 |
No rating listed: 1 trim.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2017: 6,000 lb to 5,952 lb.
- Changed in 2020: 5,952 lb to 7,200 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q7 | 7,700 lb | 55 TFSI Premium AWD | $54,950 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE | 7,700 lb | GLE 350 4MATIC AWD | $57,250 |
| BMW X5 (this car) | 7,200 lb | sDrive40i RWD | $59,400 |
| Audi SQ5 Sportback | 4,400 lb | Premium AWD | $56,100 |
| Lexus RX | 3,500 lb | 350 FWD | $45,220 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Velar | 1,653 lb | S P250 AWD | $56,900 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree