US TV personality Tarek El Moussa, best known for HGTV’s Flip or Flop, has defended his decision to gift his 16-year-old daughter a BMW X5 reportedly worth around $150,000. He spoke about the car on the “Money Rehab” podcast this week, after the gift drew criticism on social media.
The purchase itself is not new. El Moussa, his ex-wife Christina Haack and his wife Heather surprised the teenager with a silver X5 in August, ahead of her 16th birthday. The family shared the surprise on Instagram, and the video showed the teen in tears. This week’s story is about his explanation, not a fresh delivery.
Why He Says It Was Justified
El Moussa said his daughter “earned” the car, pointing to a 4.2 GPA and her role as MVP of her school’s freshman soccer team. He added that she never asked for it and would have been happy with a used Honda. According to him, the BMW was as much about his own peace of mind as it was a reward. He called the X5 “built like a tank” and said he likes knowing she is in a safe car.
He also rejected the idea that she is spoiled. El Moussa said he has been investing in stocks and real estate on her behalf for years, and that she has grown up around money in a way he did not. He said he is “obsessed with things” because he had nothing growing up, while she looks at them differently.
The Backlash
The gift drew plenty of negative comments online, with many followers calling it far too much money for a first-time driver. El Moussa has addressed it more than once. Speaking to E! News, he said the car was a surprise from “dad, stepmom, mom” together. Asked if this sets a precedent for his younger children, he joked that it would depend on whether they want a BMW or a Chevrolet. He also has two sons, aged 11 and 3.
On the podcast, he also recalled buying Heather a white Ferrari on their second date after she said it was her dream car.
What Is The Car, And What Does It Cost?
The $150,000 figure is the one used in El Moussa’s coverage, but other reports differ. One outlet, citing Entertainment Tonight, described the car as an X5 M with a base price of about $130,000. Another noted that 2026 X5 models in the US range from roughly $66,000 to over $125,000. The exact variant has not been confirmed in the reports I checked, so the higher price may reflect the specification and options.
BMW X5 Price In India
The X5 is sold in India and is locally assembled. Current listings put the base xDrive40i xLine at around ₹94–97 lakh ex-showroom, depending on the source, with the top diesel M Sport at roughly ₹1.12 crore. On-road prices vary by city but usually go past ₹1 crore. Engine options are 3.0-litre petrol and diesel units, with power of up to about 375 bhp on the most powerful version.
