Audi Q5 Quick Facts
- Original starting price: $44,395 (including a $1,095 destination fee)
- Class: Luxury Compact SUV
- Competitors: Acura RDX, BMW X3, Lexus NX
- KBB.com Fair Purchase Price
Introduction
Multi-year Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner, the 2021 Audi Q5 is a go-to in the luxury compact SUV space. Refreshed for the 2021 model year, the Q5 receives an enhanced safety suite, improved technology, and a fresh new look inside and out. It also debuts a new mild hybrid powertrain and a Sportback variant (covered separately) to rival classmates BMW X4 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe. A consistent fan favorite in Audi’s portfolio, the Q5 distinguishes itself with a choice of powertrains, more standard power, and a laundry list of standard driver assistance and comfort features.
Impressively blending comfort, practicality, handsome design, sporty handling, and satisfying performance, the Q5 is Audi’s best-selling vehicle. Fitting neatly between the petite Q3 and the midsize Q8, the Q5 is a solid choice for the buyer looking for a stylish yet peppy drive with tech to spare. It delivers on the brand promise of efficient luxury, innovative technology, and superior craftsmanship.
OEM CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: One year/20,000 miles after the expiration of the original new-car warranty or at the time of used car purchase
- Powertrain Warranty: Included within the Limited Warranty
- Roadside Assistance: Unlimited and for the duration of the Limited warranty
- Non-transferrable
- Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Audi
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
Comfort, convenience, luxury, and excellent driving manners allow the Q5 to rise to the top of a strong class with the Acura RDX, BMX X3, and Lexus NX. The Q5 continues to gain converts in the luxury compact SUV space with the 2021 mid-generation refresh. This update grants the Q5 a more comprehensive range of powertrains, a new body type, and an enhanced interior.
Regarding powertrains, 2021 Q5 buyers can choose the 45 TFSI, the 55 TFSI, or a performance-driven option in the twin-scroll turbocharged V6. (Helpful naming tip: The four in 45 designates four cylinders, while the five in 55 denotes a battery-fed electric motor as a supplemental power source.) The base 2021 Q5 has a 261-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, dubbed 45 TFSI, connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with standard Quattro all-wheel drive and this year also added a 12-volt mild hybrid system for increased efficiency and 13 more horsepower. The combination is a smooth drive with the gumption to get up and go and even thrill when needed. A V6 powers the gutsy performance variant and is pleasingly powerful but less efficient than the trio’s new plug-in hybrid option. The most efficient and powerful engine option is the 55 TFSI’s plug-in hybrid. It combines a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack that delivers nearly 20 miles of electric-only range and a robust 362 horsepower.
Audi dresses the 5-seater’s luxurious cabin in leather and wood inlays rather than plastics and hard surfaces. The overall effect is that the 2021 Q5 feels special and mature. A wide dash spans the front of the cabin. A 7-inch driver information display and centrally mounted 10.1-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility provide easy access to the connectivity suite. Soft touchpoints, polished knobs, and buttons offer textural variation to remind you that the details matter to Audi as much as they do to you.
On the exterior, the 2021 Q5 is handsome and conservatively styled. The wide grille is prominent and catches the eye. Tall side air intakes pull the eye across to the new horizontal trim between the taillights and anchor down into a horizontal diffuser. The result is a clean style that looks polished and radiates pure luxury.
Building on a solid base in the Premium trim, the Q5, regardless of body style, comes laden with premium features, including tri-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, keyless entry, and a powered tailgate. As you expand through the lines, additional convenience, safety, and comfort features become part of the packages. Leg space and rear cargo room are at a premium in the 2021 model. With just 53 cubic feet and seats folded, the Q5 falls behind the BMW X3 and Acura RDX for cargo space and rear leg room.
The optional Virtual Cockpit with a larger touchscreen that replaces the traditional instrument cluster and the 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system in the upper trims add layers of elegance and a degree of technology superiority that continues to elevate the Best Buy Award Winner year after year.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 Audi Q5
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 Audi Q5 models
Related reading:
