Used 2021 Audi Q5 for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the 2021 Audi Q5 cost?

Prices have softened 11.64% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,275 listings available, which suggests you have a workable 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 Q5 stands out because it brings a plug-in hybrid option to Audi’s top-selling vehicle, and it also has standard all-wheel drive for buyers who want a luxury compact SUV with practical appeal. It feels polished and easy to live with, with comfort and impressive technology helping offset its less exciting styling.

The main trade-offs are uninspired styling and interior materials that can feel cheap. Advanced safety features are also not standard, so you may need to shop carefully if those matter to you.

With 39.2% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 reliable?

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

The Q5’s appeal is built around a refined, comfortable package with standard all-wheel drive and a well-rounded luxury feel. Its plug-in hybrid setup adds another layer of usefulness, and the expert review highlights a polished driving experience and impressive technology.

The performance setup pairs an electric motor with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, and the hybrid system is designed to help you drive efficiently in low-demand situations or reserve battery power for later use. The cost-effectiveness notes also point to federal tax credits and the ability to recharge overnight on household current or more quickly on Level 2 power.

For used buyers, the biggest long-term ownership risk is making sure the plug-in hybrid system and battery-related components have been maintained properly.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any listing you like, even if it looks clean on paper. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important on a plug-in hybrid, since you want to confirm the battery, charging behavior, and overall condition are all in good shape. Focus on maintenance records, charging equipment, and signs of wear that could affect long-term ownership costs.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model does not include navigation, while the Premium Plus trim can add it and the Prestige trim includes it. The cabin is described as classy and modern, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and standard leather seating surfaces throughout.
• Powertrain: The plug-in hybrid setup combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. It can drive on battery power alone for up to 20 miles depending on charge, and it is rated at 65 MPGe combined or 27 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.
• Safety package: Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, rear child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, a rearview camera, and TPMS. Available driver-assistance features include Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.
• Infotainment: The Q5 uses Audi’s MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen, plus a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus display. Wireless Apple CarPlay is included, and the Prestige trim adds the Navigation Package.
• 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, 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 makes sense if you want the electrified powertrain and standard all-wheel drive without paying for extra convenience and tech upgrades.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more of the tech and convenience features that make the Q5 feel especially upscale. It also unlocks navigation as an option, which the base model does not offer.
• Prestige: This is the most fully equipped version, and it is the right pick if you want the most advanced tech and the richest feature set. It includes the Navigation Package and makes the premium audio system standard.

The safety package includes standard driver-assistance and protection features, but advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,275 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.64% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,486, 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 $21,486 sits slightly below last year's $24,316.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the risk of taking an immediate depreciation hit. The Q5’s strong equipment and premium positioning can still support demand, especially for well-kept examples with desirable features.

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 hasn’t been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety yet, but the 2020 Q5 received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, where it received a “marginal” rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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.

Standard safety features include six airbags, anti-lock braking with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, rear child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, electronic vehicle immobilization, an anti-theft alarm, an interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights and taillights, LATCH connectors, 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.

The main caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard, so you may need to step up to a higher trim or add options to get the full suite.

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:

• 39.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.64% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year from the review team: it brings a plug-in hybrid option to Audi’s top-selling vehicle.

The bottom line: If you want the plug-in hybrid Q5 with strong tech, standard all-wheel drive, and a softer used-car price than last year, the 2021 is the one to target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, keep shopping listings closely and prioritize clean-history examples with the features you care about most.

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 Audi leans harder into comfort and standard all-wheel drive, while the BMW’s advantage is its broader powertrain lineup. The Q5 also looks like the better value here based on the lower average used price and lower starting MSRP shown below.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.