New & Used 2026 Audi Q5 for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Is the 2026 Audi Q5 a good car?

The 2026 Audi Q5 earns a 6.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Performance, Technology, and Safety.

It fits you well if you want a luxury SUV that prioritizes refinement, everyday usefulness, and a strong standard tech suite. The cabin is centered around a large screen setup, and the Q5 also brings useful practicality with seating for five, 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials and design are less convincing than you’d expect at this price, and the price can climb quickly once you start adding desirable equipment. The transmission can also feel hesitant from a stop and a bit lurchy at parking-lot speeds.

With 37.3% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2026 Audi Q5 reliable?

The 2026 Audi Q5 is presented as a polished, well-equipped SUV with standard all-wheel drive, a muted turbocharged engine, and a comfortable ride, which supports a reassuring ownership experience. Its performance tuning emphasizes stability and calm road manners, and Audi also includes three years or 30,000 miles of scheduled maintenance with every new car.

That said, the Q5’s long-term appeal for used buyers depends on how much you value its tech and refinement versus its higher running-cost profile and the possibility of expensive options. For used ownership, the main risk is that a premium purchase price can be followed by premium repair and upkeep exposure if the vehicle was heavily optioned or poorly maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2026 Audi Q5?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and verify that the vehicle’s equipment matches the trim and packages advertised. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if you’re considering a higher-trim example, since some desirable features are bundled into packages rather than included across the board.

Focus on the condition of the interior surfaces, screen operation, and any added technology features, since the Q5’s cabin presentation and electronics are a big part of what you’re paying for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base Premium trim leaves out some desirable equipment, including adaptive cruise control, which requires an extra package. Higher trims add more convenience and tech, but you should confirm exactly which features are present before you buy.
• Powertrain: Every Q5 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with standard quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. It’s smooth and quiet, but it can hesitate from a stop.
• Safety package: Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and drowsy-driver alert. Premium Plus adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking, evasive steering assist, and lane-keep assist through Adaptive Cruise Assist, while rear emergency braking is available on Prestige.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 14.5-inch touchscreen, an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google built-in apps. Prestige trims add a 10.9-inch passenger display, and the system also supports over-the-air-style connected features through Audi Connect Care.
• Fuel efficiency: The Q5 is rated at 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

Which 2026 Audi Q5 trim should I buy?

The 2026 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 already gives you a strong standard equipment list, including the core infotainment setup, standard all-wheel drive, and the Q5’s main safety features. It makes sense if you want the Q5 experience without stretching too far on price.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim if you want the most meaningful upgrades. It adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking, evasive steering assist, and lane-keep assist, making it the sweet spot for buyers who want more safety and convenience without jumping to the top trim.
• Prestige: This is the trim for you if you want the most upscale tech and convenience features, including the passenger display and available rear emergency braking. It’s the right pick if you want the most premium Q5 experience and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is strongest on the higher trims, especially Premium Plus, where more advanced driver-assistance features become standard.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2026 Audi Q5?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare examples rather than rush.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,517 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 98.4% of listings are accident-free.

Is the 2026 Audi Q5 safe?

The 2026 Audi Q5 earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick+ award, and the identical 2025 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four-star rollover resistance and five-star ratings in all other crash tests.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, drowsy-driver alert, and adaptive cruise control. A center frontal airbag and rear side airbags are also standard, which is uncommon.

Premium Plus adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking, evasive steering assist, and lane-keep assist through Adaptive Cruise Assist. Rear emergency braking is available on Prestige.

Should I buy a 2026 Audi Q5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2026 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2026 if:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.4% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds a refreshed tech setup, standard scheduled maintenance, and strong standard safety content.

Consider the 2025 if:

• It introduced the redesign and brought Audi’s current design language and tech suite.

The bottom line: If you want the most up-to-date Q5 with the latest standard equipment and maintenance coverage, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re shopping more on value, the 2025 can still make sense because it delivers the core redesign and may be easier to find at a lower price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.