Come the year 2021, and Audi has decided to refresh the 2021 Q5. It gets tweaked exterior styling, while the standard tech and interior features list also get richer. Even the powertrain benefits from a new 12-volt hybrid system. There is also a 13 hp increase in power but the two are not related.
The 2021 Audi Q5 receives more standard features and refreshed styling
Prices of the 2021 Audi Q5 start at an MSRP of $43,300, which is the same as the 2020 Audi Q5. This excluding the $1,095 destination and handling charges. If you're looking to lease an Audi Q5, you'd have to pay $409 every month for 36 months along with $4733 due at signing.
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"The 2021 Q5 is not a ground-up redesign but a facelift of the model that Audi introduced for 2018. It's a refinement of a formula we already know works well, with some tech upgrades and exterior additions." - MotorTrend
The Audi Q5 categorizes itself as a compact SUV. It goes up against the likes of BMW X3 priced at $43,000, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 starting from $43,200, and the Volvo XC60 costing $40,795. To make the Q5 a more value for money buy, Audi has given the 2021 Q5 multiple standard features for no extra cost. They include blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and a 10.1-inch infotainment unit featuring MIB3 infotainment system.
2021 Audi Q5 now features company's new Singleframe grille
2021 Audi Q5 gets restyled rear bumper with silver accents
8.5/10 Pricing and Features
9.0/10 Engine and Performance
9.0/10 Fuel Economy
8.5/10 Interior
7.0/10 Exterior
8.0/10 Safety
8.0/10 Competition
2021 Audi Q5 Pricing and Features
8.5/10
In 2020, the Audi Q5 came in 3 trims standard with Audi's Quattro AWD system and 1 additional performance variant, the SQ5. Now, the similarly-specced 2021 Audi Q5 brings all that and much more. All 45 TFSI models of the 2021 Q5 now come standard with the Advance line exterior.
All models of the 2021 Audi Q5 come standard with company's Quattro AWD
This adds vertical chrome strips in the new Singleframe grille upfront and silver accents in the front and rear bumpers. The 2021 Audi Q5 will also have the latest safety and tech features to enhance its luxury experience. The price for the base trim is going to start at $43,300, which is the same as the 2020 model.
Trims
Premium
Premium Plus
Prestige
MSRP (45 TFSI Quattro)
$43,300
$48,100
$54,000
MSRP (55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid Quattro)
$51,900
$55,800
$61,700
Key Features
Audi smartphone interface
Audi virtual cockpit
Audi adaptive cruise control
18-inch turbine alloy wheels
Parking system plus
Audi park assist
Audi pre sense basic
Audi side assist
Heads-up display
Bluetooth audio connectivity
Audi phone box
HD Radio technology
That will go all the way up to $61,700 for the most feature-loaded 2021 Audi Q5 Prestige 55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid model. The base Premium trim now offers new 18 and 20-inch wheel designs and a wireless smartphone charging pad. It also comes with Audi's smartphone interface and Audi Pre Sense technology.
The 2021 Audi Q5 is one of the best-selling premium crossovers in the US
The Premium Plus trim priced at $48,100 comes with Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch display. The Premium Plus trim has a Parking system plus and a bigger 8.3" MMI radio. The Prestige trim is the top-end Q5 priced at $54,000. The trim comes with Audi adaptive cruise control and Audi park assist. For your entertainment, there is a 3D sound system with a 19-speaker setup.
The Premium Plus 55 TFSI PHEV trim of the 2021 Audi Q5 offers the best value for its price. It gets the S line exterior as standard along with the choice of 19-or-20-inch wheels. Inside you have Audi's Virtual Cockpit feature as well. Rivals like the X3 and GLC 300 are not as expensive but the Audi Q5 Premium Plus 55 TGSI e Plug-in Hybrid gets a lot more standard tech and features along with a more powerful and efficient 362 hp motor.
"The turbo four provides plenty of punch to scoot in the Q5 around town or blast down a highway on-ramp, and it is smooth, quiet, and mellifluous." - Car And Driver
For 2021, all trims of the Audi Q5 come with a 2.0-liter inline 4 engine that produces 261 hp of peak power, 13 more than 2020. There is also a new 12-volt hybrid system, although that has nothing to do with the improved output. The 273 lb-ft of torque remains unchanged.
2021 Audi Q5 makes 13 more horsepower over last year's model
Transmission duties are taken care of by a 7-speed DCT unit across the range. For people who are concerned about the fuel economy, the Q5 is also made available in a hybrid variant that bumps the power output to 362 hp. All the other SUVs in this comparison are powered by 2.0L turbocharged I-4 engines.
The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV sprints from 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds
If you want to stop your Q5 from 60-0 mph, it will take 112 ft to come to a standstill. That Merc does it better by stopping at 110 ft where BMW and Volvo take 4 feet longer. For 2021, Audi Q5 will get better performance numbers as the company has been able to up the power numbers of this compact SUV by 13 hp.
The Audi Q5 45 TFSI has a combined mpg of 25 where the BMW X3 has 27. But the bigger 18.5-gallon fuel tank of the Q5 allows it to offer 19 extra miles of range in mixed driving conditions in comparison to the X3. All the other SUVs, GLC 300 and XC60, fall behind the Q5 in terms of fuel economy.
Models
2021 Audi Q5
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
MPG (City)
23
25
22
22
MPG (Highway)
28
29
29
29
MPG (Combined)
25
27
24
24
Fuel Capacity
18.5 gallons
17.2 gallons
17.4 gallons
18.5 gallons
Range (City/Highway/Combined)
423/518/463 miles
430/499/464 miles
383/505/418 miles
407/537/444 miles
The BMW X3 is the most fuel-efficient with a combined mpg rating of 29. But its 17.2-gallon fuel tank is the smallest, thereby, compromising range. However, all these cars come with hybrid technology that enhances their fuel economy. For 2021, we could get even better mpg and range from the Q5 considering its 12V hybrid unit.
The digital cluster even displays information about the Q5's battery and hybrid systems
If you are considering buying the Q5 PHEV, you will not only get more power but also better range. The Q5 PHEV is capable of offering an estimated 27 mpg in mixed driving conditions. It can also offer 19 miles of all-electric range. These claimed numbers of the 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV will be confirmed after the real-world tests only.
"The climate control requires frequent adjusting to maintain desired conditions inside. And the driving position feels odd - while the armrest on the door is almost too far away for a 6-foot-tall person's elbow, the one on the center console nearly rubs against the driver's seat." - Edmunds
The proper ergonomics, comfort, placement of mechanism, and sophistication completes the 2021 Q5's interior. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is great with its power tilt and heating feature. There are also a lot of buttons on the door panel, steering wheel, dashboard, and center console for ease of use.
2021 Audi Q5 gets new interior upholstery
The dashboard is a two-toned sleek design piece, with infotainment in the middle and a massive glove box. The T-shaped gear knob is handy and feels soft. When you sit inside, you will realize that Audi focuses as much on comfort just like it focuses on performance. The 8-way power-adjustable seats are standard on the base variant, and on the high-end trims, a panoramic sunroof is optional.
Models
2021 Audi Q5
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg)
41.7/57.7/41.0
41.1/57.6/40.3
41.9/57.3/40.8
38.0/58.2/41.5
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg)
39.3/56.5/37.8
39.1/56.0/36.4
38.5/N/A/37.3
38.0/56.3/38.0
Cargo Capacity (cu.ft.)
25.6
28.7
19.4
29.7
All the SUVs come with a 5-person capacity. The Q5 offers greater interior space for the passengers than most its rivals. If we talk about cargo capacity, the Q5 has 25.6 cubic feet of space. If we fold down the seats, the capacity increases to 54.0 cubic feet. But the Volvo XC60, with its 38.0-inch of rear legroom and 29.7 cu-ft of cargo space, remains the most practical compact SUV.
2021 Audi Q5 gets the latest MMI Infotainment Display
The 2021 Q5 sports a 10.1-inch split-screen display at the center of the dashboard as standard. It displays information about your navigation with Google earth, phone calls, and audio. There is an Audi smart interface that allows Apple Car Play and Android Auto to integrate with the infotainment of your car. The MMI interface system allows voice control and steering wheel controls. For the best music experience, you also get an optional 19-speaker setup by Bang and Olufsen. Other notable features of the Q5’s infotainment system are:
MMI Navigation Plus and All in Touch with Handwriting recognition technology
HD/SiriusXM/INRIX XD Radio and Traffic system
SD Card slot with 64GB capacity
3-inch LCD Fully Digital Instrument Console
755W 19 Speaker B&O audio system with 3D sound with 16 channel amplifier
"The Audi Q5 has some styling tweaks for its 2021 refresh, but it remains handsome and on the conservative side, which is just fine to our eyes. We think it will age well." - KBB
Several changes have been made to the exterior of the 2021 Audi Q5. For starters, all 45 TFSI models feature company's Singleframe grille upfront. It is complemented by the standard Advance line exterior trim. It adds vertical chrome strips in the grille. Even the front and rear bumpers feature silver accents.
2021 Audi Q5 gets significant exterior upgrades
The Q5 55 TFSI models come standard with S line exterior, which adds a more sporty-looking honeycomb structure in the grille, while the front and rear diffusers also get more aggressively styled. These PHEV models also ride on bigger 19-inch wheels as standard, while the 45 TFSI models get 18-inch rollers. However, the choice of 20-inch wheels remains optional on both.
Models
2021 Audi Q5
2021 BMW X3
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300
2021 Volvo XC60
Curb Weight (lbs)
4,034
3,931
3,977
4,105
Length (in)
183.6
185.9
183.3
184.6
Width (in)
74.5
74.4
74.4
74.9
Height (in)
65.3
66.0
64.7
65.3
Wheelbase (in)
111.0
112.8
113.1
112.8
Ground Clearance (in)
8.2
8.0
5.9
8.5
The Audi Q5 weighs 4,034 lbs, just a few more than X3 and GLC 300. The Q5 is bigger in size than the BMW X3 and Mercedes, where Volvo has similar measurements. The ground clearance is 8.2 inches to keep it clear from the ground for off-road activities. The 2021 Q5 will not get bigger in size as it gets a facelift.
The Audi Q5 scored an amazing 5 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA crash test in 2020. Also, in the IIHS ratings, the Audi Q5 was given the best score of Good. There are advanced tech systems for enhanced safety.
The 2021 Audi Q5 rides on the same platform as last year
They include parking sensors, collision mitigation, lane keep assist, traffic jam assists, Audi assist, Audi PreSafe, and dual airbags to name a few. The 2021 model of Audi Q5 will have more safety features as standard than before.
The X3 is the closest rival to the Q5. It offers similar performance and features. Even the design is similar. It is just that Audi offers so many features as standard.
2021 BMW X3
BMW puts an option on those features. Also, the X3 puts out similar power but the Q5 is faster, thanks to its Quattro tech.
2021Audi Q5 vs Mercedes Benz GLC 300
The GLC 300 is ahead in the game against Audi Q5 as Mercedes is good at dealing with the competition. The GLC 300 gets better performance numbers, stylish looks, and a luxury interior with modern design.
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV
The Audi Q5 has its own benefits as it is better in terms of capability with its higher ground clearance and a standard Audi Quattro AWD system which the Mercedes GLC 300 lacks.
2021 Audi Q5 vs Volvo Xc60
Both cars offer great value for money and offer the best safety in the segment. Both of them even offer similar performance. However, Audi has an upper hand when it comes to handling and built quality.
2021 VOLVO XC60
The Audi is a much more reliable car than the Volvo. So, if reliability is your priority the Audi is the way to go. The Q5 also offers more range overall. It does turn up as the more value for money buy.
2021 Audi Q5 Final Verdict
Audi Q5 will gather twice the attention as the redesigned version will be next level. The 2021 Audi Q5 will come loaded with a ton of standard features as well. So for the same starting price as last year, the new Audi Q5 will offer a lot more value for its MSRP. Also, Audi cars always attract a great resale value. So if you want to buy a used Q5 in order to save more, it won't be a bad idea either.
German cars are more often than not, found to be quite reliable. Audi Q5 is one of those cars and the J.D. Power's above-average reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stands true to that very fact.
When did Audi last redesign the Q5?
The Audi Q5 went through a revamp last in the year of 2018. So for the year 2021, we expect the Q5 to go only through a refresh, with updated front and rear fascias, and upgrades bits on the inside. Expect the next generation to come in 2022 or 2023.
Is the Audi Q5 expensive to maintain?
The Audi Q5 is a premium compact crossover. So the maintenance and repair work for the same can be expected to be on the more expensive side. With an annual maintenance cost of $928, it is well above the segment average which is a mere $800.
