New & Used 2026 Audi Q5 for Sale nearDes Plaines, IL

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 leans heavily on technology to stay relevant in the compact luxury SUV class, and it does that with a polished driving experience, a refined ride, and a good amount of standard equipment. Those strengths make it a fit if you want an easy-to-use infotainment setup and confident everyday performance.

The trade-offs are real, though: the interior materials are called out as cheap, and ergonomic issues are part of the package. The high price also makes the Q5 feel less compelling than its specs might suggest.

With 44.0% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have a decent amount of market support if you decide the strengths outweigh the compromises.

Is the 2026 Audi Q5 reliable?

The 2026 Audi Q5 is presented as a polished, well-equipped SUV with a refined ride and confident performance, but its long-term appeal is tempered by the same cabin-quality concerns that show up elsewhere in the review. The performance notes point to a muted turbocharged four-cylinder, minimal turbo lag and vibration, and a stable, hushed driving character.

Audi also includes three years or 30,000 miles of scheduled maintenance with every new car, which helps soften early ownership costs. For used buyers, the bigger long-term risk is that the Q5’s premium pricing may not be matched by the durability feel you expect from the cabin.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a thorough inspection, especially if you’re sensitive to interior condition and cabin wear. Pay close attention to how the screens, controls, and trim pieces feel in daily use, since the cabin quality is a recurring concern. If you’re shopping a higher trim, make sure the added equipment works as intended and that the vehicle’s condition matches its price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lower trims lack the passenger-side screen that appears on the Prestige, and the cabin’s blank lower dash area underscores the feature gap. The Prestige adds more visual and tech drama, but the base setup is still the one to scrutinize if you want the most complete experience.
• Powertrain: Every Q5 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine is smooth and muted, but the transmission can hesitate from a stop and lurch at parking-lot speeds.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind spot monitors, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. Premium Plus adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking and evasive steering assist, and lane-keep assist through Adaptive Cruise Assist, while rear emergency braking is available on the Prestige.
• Infotainment: A 14.5-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster are standard, with a third 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen on Prestige trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and Audi uses Google built-in apps.
• 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 gives you the core Q5 experience with the standard tech, all-wheel drive, and the full set of basic safety and convenience features. It makes the most sense if you want the Q5’s driving polish without paying for extras you may not need.
• Premium Plus: This is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of equipment and price. It adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking and evasive steering assist, and lane-keep assist, making it the sweet spot for shoppers who want more advanced driver assistance without jumping to the top trim.
• Prestige: Choose this if you want the most upscale and tech-heavy version, including the passenger-side touchscreen, Park Assist Pro, and rear emergency braking. It also gets air springs and the most feature-rich presentation, but it comes at the highest price.

The safety package is strongest on Premium Plus and Prestige, while the base trim still covers the essentials.

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

The market is favorable if you’re shopping now, especially if you can compare multiple listings and negotiate from a position of strength.

• Deal availability: 44.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,577 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 98.3% 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 five-star ratings in all crash tests except rollover resistance, where it received a four-star rating.

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

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind spot monitors, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a center frontal airbag, and rear side airbags. Premium Plus adds forward cross-traffic alert, braking and evasive steering assist, plus lane-keep assist through Adaptive Cruise Assist. Rear emergency braking is available on the 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:

• 44.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 98.3% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• It adds stronger tech, standard maintenance coverage, and a more polished driving experience.

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 strongest tech story and maintenance coverage, the 2026 is the better target. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2025 can still make sense because it delivers the redesign and core Q5 formula at a lower entry point.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.