Used 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 strengthens its position as one of the top choices in the luxury compact SUV class. A mid-generation refresh gives it more standard power, added active safety features, enhanced technology, and tweaks to the styling.

This year also marks the introduction of the more style-conscious 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback, which goes up against sloped-roof rivals like the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe.

The Q5 is Audi’s best-selling vehicle, for good reason. This 5-seater luxury SUV has a well-judged blend of practicality, features, and great driving manners.

The wider 2021 Q5 lineup offers a choice of powertrains that includes a plug-in hybrid with roughly 20 miles of range just on battery power, and SQ5 performance variants are powered by a turbocharged V6. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard throughout.

This amalgam of attributes has resulted in the Q5 being a multi-year Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner. That’s really impressive given that the competition includes the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, Acura RDX, and the Lexus NX. This is a highly recommendable compact luxury SUV.

Audi has always done a great job of blending sporty handling with comfort and the Q5 exemplifies that. After experiencing it on all manner of highways, and miles and miles of dirt roads, the Q5 is among our favorite compact SUVs to drive.

Even the base turbocharged 4-cylinder setup — the 45 TFSI — is gutsy yet smooth, and moves this SUV easily.

For heightened performance, the Audi SQ5 is a real blast. Boosted by a twin-scroll turbocharger, the V6 has just enough rumble in its exhaust to sound special, and its more-than-ample power ramps up in a satisfyingly smooth manner. It’s docile when necessary, ferocious when pushed.

Those wanting greater efficiency should investigate the 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid model. Its battery pack enables about 20 miles of electric-only range.

Intriguingly, this hybrid is also the most powerful Q5. With 362 horsepower, it’s even more muscular than the SQ5.

A masterful blend of luxurious features, technology, comfort, and practicality distinguishes the 2021 Q5’s sleek 2-row/5-seater cabin. Up front, a wide dash is crowned by a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. Below this are intuitive and easy-to-see controls for climate and driving mode settings.

Unlike some rivals that use buttons for the transmission, the Q5 has a more traditional shift lever — this is a good thing.

Also unlike most of the competition, leather seating surfaces are standard, as are wood inlays. Little touches matter. Few automakers nail the details like the feel of the dials and buttons like Audi.

Rear legroom is about average for this luxury compact SUV category. Cargo room is good, but not the best in class. The regular Q5 has just over 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and that space expands to just over 53 cubic feet with those seats folded. The Acura RDX and BMW X3 do better.

The new-for-2021 Q5 Sportback and its SQ5 Sportback equivalent retain the same amount of rear legroom, but lose a little rear headroom and cargo space. Not a drastic amount, though. LeBron James won’t want to sit in the back, but most youngsters should be fine.

The Audi Q5 receives a few styling tweaks for its 2021 refresh, but it remains arguably handsome in a conservative way, which is just fine to our eyes. It should age well. The grille is thinner and wider — prominent, but not garish. The side air intakes are taller and feature trapezoidal inserts.

At the back is a new horizontal trim piece connecting the taillights, plus a horizontal diffuser. Both of these elements contribute to a wider, more planted look.

Standard Q5 models roll on 18-inch alloy wheels, while the plug-in hybrid gets 19s. SQ5 performance models have 20-inch wheels standard.

Quad exhaust outlets are also available with the SQ5 models, and OLED (organic light-emitting diode) taillights are fitted to the Prestige models. The SQ5 in District Green Metallic paint (a $595 option), looks especially sharp.

The second Q5 body style, making its debut this year, is the Sportback. It follows the trend of taking a regular SUV, then putting a distinct slope to the roofline. Practicality takes a minor hit, but those wanting something different in their new luxury compact SUV should head for this corner of the Audi dealer’s showroom.

The Sportback has 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, with the SQ5 version running on 20s, with 21-inch alloys available as an option. It also ditches the roof rails and adds a panoramic sunroof as standard.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
The Virtual Cockpit is yet another illustration of why Audi has been a technology leader for so long. Coming in at the Premium Plus trim level, it replaces a traditional instrument cluster with a high-definition 12.3-inch display that can be configured to show navigation, audio information, and driving data.

BANG & OLUFSEN AUDIO
From one of our favorite in-vehicle audio manufacturers, this system sends 705 watts of power through 19 superb-sounding speakers. This is standard in the top Prestige trim, optional in the mid-level Premium Plus version.

Both the 2021 Q5 and SQ5 luxury compact SUVS are available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. That goes for the new Q5 Sportback variants as well.

At its most basic, Premium trim does indeed have many premium features. Such as leather upholstery seating surfaces, wood inlays, tri-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, keyless entry with push-button start, universal garage remote, and a powered tailgate.

The infotainment system includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, plus a 7-inch driver information display. A full set of safety features (see Safety Technology section below) is also standard.

Premium Plus models include the Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, top-view camera system, panoramic sunroof, active lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise control.

Top Prestige versions add features like ventilated front seats, navigation, Bang & Olufsen audio, Matrix-design LED headlights, and a head-up display.

Options vary by trim, but base models can be spruced up with features that come standard in higher trims, such as the Bang & Olufsen audio system, panoramic sunroof, and a heated steering wheel.

Mid-trim Premium Plus models can be optioned with ventilated front seats, rear-window shades, and navigation.

SQ5 models can be upgraded with 21-inch wheels and a Convenience package that adds amenities like driver’s-seat memory settings and a heated steering wheel. Another SQ5 option is the S Sport package that includes a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, red brake calipers, and a sport rear differential.

With 13 more horsepower than last year, the base 45 TFSI drivetrain develops 261 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. This year also sees the inclusion of a 12-volt mild-hybrid system for added efficiency.

This engine is connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard. Audi puts the Q5 45 TFSI’s zero-to-60 mph time at a quick 5.7 seconds. Towing capacity is quite impressive at 4,400 pounds.

The Q5 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid also employs a 2.0-liter turbo-4. This is supplemented by a battery-fed electric motor. It makes a total of 362 horsepower. All-wheel drive and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are again standard. The sprint to 60 mph takes just five seconds.

SQ5 versions are the performance alternative, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 sending 349 horsepower to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. A sport rear differential is optional. The Audi SQ5 is said to dash from standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

The new Q5 Sportback variants come with either the 45 TFSI or SQ5 drivetrains.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (45 TFSI)
261 horsepower
273 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4/permanent magnet motor (55 TFSI)
362 horsepower (combined)
369 lb-ft of torque (combined)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 65 MPGe/27 mpg combined

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (SQ5)
349 horsepower
369 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg