Used 2021 Audi Q5 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Audi Q5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,256 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Audi Q5 earns a 4.8/5 user rating and an 8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Technology at 9/10.

The 2021 Q5 stands out because it brings a plug-in hybrid option to Audi’s top-selling vehicle, giving you added efficiency potential in a luxury compact SUV. It also comes with standard all-wheel drive and is described as comfortable with impressive technology, which makes it a strong fit if you want a refined daily driver rather than something flashy or overtly sporty.

The main trade-offs are that its styling is described as uninspired, the interior materials feel cheap, and advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the Q5’s blend of comfort, technology, and available plug-in hybrid capability gives it a clear identity in the lineup.

With 40.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive offer.

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The 2021 Q5’s reliability case is helped by its focus on comfort, standard all-wheel drive, and a well-rounded luxury-SUV formula. Its plug-in hybrid setup also adds an efficiency angle without changing the Q5’s core mission as a refined daily driver. The expert review also points to a thoughtful hybrid system that can run on battery power alone for short distances, reserve battery power for later, or blend gas and electric power automatically when that is most efficient.

The plug-in hybrid model also comes with federal tax-credit potential, which can improve the ownership equation if you qualify. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the battery-equipped powertrain and its charging-related components have been properly maintained and documented.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Audi Q5?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a close inspection of the hybrid system, charging behavior, and overall condition. Because this model year combines luxury features with plug-in hybrid hardware, it is worth confirming that all electronics, driver aids, and cabin tech work as intended. A careful test drive should also check for any unusual braking, steering, or charging-related behavior.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The plug-in Q5 wears S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, and it looks even better with standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. The cabin is classy and modern, with an uncluttered layout, real wood, real metal, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The base model does not include navigation.
• Powertrain: The plug-in hybrid setup adds 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque for a combined 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. It uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 14.1-kWh battery, with up to 20 miles of electric-only driving depending on charge state. It is rated at 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.
• Safety package: Safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights and taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and TPMS. Available driver-assistance features include Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.
• Infotainment: The Q5 PHEV gets Audi’s MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, plus the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster with classic, sport, and dynamic views. Wireless Apple CarPlay is included, and the Integrated Toll Module is standard on all Q5 models. Navigation is available on Premium Plus and standard on Prestige.
• Fuel efficiency: The plug-in hybrid is rated at 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.

Which 2021 Audi Q5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Audi Q5 is offered in 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

Here's the short version:

• Premium: This is the entry point, and it gives you the plug-in hybrid Q5 experience at the lowest starting price. It is the trim to consider if you want the core PHEV powertrain and standard all-wheel drive without paying for extra luxury and tech upgrades.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more equipment and makes navigation available as an option. If you want a stronger balance of features and price, this is the trim to focus on first.
• Prestige: This is the most fully equipped version, and it includes navigation plus the standard Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. Choose this if you want the most upscale tech presentation and are willing to pay for it.

Advanced safety features are not standard, so check carefully which driver-assistance items are included on the specific trim you are considering.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Audi Q5?

It looks like a buyer’s market right now, with solid deal availability and a meaningful price drop from last year.

• Deal availability: 40.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,256 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,968, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Audi Q5's resale value?

The current average of $20,968 sits slightly below last year's $23,871.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper resale expectations if you plan to sell soon. If prices remain soft, future sellers may need to compete more aggressively on condition, mileage, and equipment to stand out. The Q5’s plug-in hybrid identity and premium positioning can still support demand, but the current trend points to a more buyer-friendly market than a year ago.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 safe?

The 2021 Q5 PHEV hasn’t been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) yet, but the 2020 Q5 (gasoline-only) received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, where it received a “marginal” rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars but has not yet rated the PHEV.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks in the rear doors, electronic stability control with off-road mode, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights and LED taillights, LATCH connectors on outboard rear seats, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features include Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

Should I buy a 2021 Audi Q5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 40.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Audi’s electrification push shows up here in the form of a PHEV powertrain, giving this year a distinctive plug-in hybrid angle.

The bottom line: The 2021 Q5 makes the most sense if you want the plug-in hybrid version and you value a softer used-market price. If you are shopping primarily on budget, the current pricing trend makes this year attractive; if you want a broader set of nearby-year alternatives, you may want to compare equipment and pricing carefully before deciding.

How does the 2021 Audi Q5 compare to the 2021 BMW X3?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Audi Q5:

• Pros: Standard all-wheel drive, Comfortable, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 BMW X3:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: On the expensive end of the segment.

Our experts score the 2021 Audi Q5 8/10 and the 2021 BMW X3 7.5/10. The Q5 is the better pick if you want standard all-wheel drive and a comfort-first personality, while the X3 stands out for offering multiple powertrain options. The Q5’s drawbacks are more about styling and materials, while the X3’s main downside is price.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.