Used 2021 Audi Q5 for Sale nearColumbus, OH

How much does the 2021 Audi Q5 cost?

Prices have softened 12.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,253 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 added everyday confidence. It feels polished and easy to live with, with comfort and impressive technology helping it appeal as a luxury compact SUV that balances practicality with a more advanced powertrain.

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

With 34.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is 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 rooted in its comfort, quality, and everyday usefulness, and the plug-in hybrid setup adds an efficient, modern twist to that formula. Its performance content also points to a convincing, well-integrated powertrain with strong acceleration and impressive fuel economy for a luxury SUV.

It also includes a useful maintenance perk in the form of federal tax credits that may help offset ownership costs, depending on where you live and how you buy. For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is making sure the battery-equipped version has been maintained and inspected properly before you commit.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with a vehicle history report, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the hybrid system, charging hardware, and overall condition. Because this model year blends luxury features with electrified hardware, it makes sense to focus on how well the cabin, electronics, and powertrain have aged together.

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, smartly grouped controls, and high-quality materials.
• Powertrain: The plug-in hybrid setup adds 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque to the gasoline engine for a combined 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. It uses a 14.1-kWh battery, can drive on battery power only for up to 20 miles, and is rated at 65 MPGe combined or 27 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.
• Safety package: Safety features include six airbags, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, electronic stability control with off-road mode, 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 parking sensors, 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 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Navigation is available on the Premium Plus trim and included with the Prestige 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’s the trim to consider if you want the electrified powertrain and standard all-wheel drive without paying for extras you may not need.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds more convenience and tech flexibility, including available navigation. If you want a more complete luxury experience without jumping to the top trim, this is the one to focus on.
• Prestige: This is the most fully equipped version, and it includes the Navigation Package plus the standard Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. Choose it if you want the most advanced and upscale Q5 PHEV setup.

Advanced safety features are not standard, so check carefully for the driver-assistance equipment you want on the specific trim you’re considering.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,253 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,500, 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 $21,501 sits slightly below last year's $24,519.

That decline suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make the Q5 easier to purchase now but may also mean sellers need to price competitively later. If you buy at today’s softer pricing, you may have less room for appreciation, so condition and trim choice matter more when you think about future resale.

Well-equipped examples with strong condition and desirable features should hold broader appeal than stripped or poorly maintained ones. 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 Audi Q5 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, an anti-lock braking system 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, an anti-theft alarm, an 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:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Audi has made a commitment to electrification across its lineup, and this year’s Q5 brings that strategy into the model with a plug-in hybrid setup.

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’re more price-sensitive and don’t need the electrified powertrain, a nearby year may still be worth comparing for the right equipment and condition.

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 looks like the better value if you want standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable, tech-forward luxury SUV. The X3 gives you more powertrain variety, but it also lands on the expensive side of the segment. If you care most about a polished daily driver, the Q5 has the edge; if you want more configuration choices, the X3 is the one to compare closely.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.