AudiThe rising cost of new vehicles is changing the way many buyers shop. What was once considered mainstream transportation now often carries a price tag well into the $30,000 range, prompting more people to explore the used market. For the same money as a brand-new compact SUV, buyers can now access vehicles that originally competed in an entirely different class.Depreciation is particularly steep among luxury brands, and that creates an opportunity for savvy shoppers. SUVs that once cost well over $45,000 can lose a significant portion of their value within a few years, bringing them into direct competition with new mainstream crossovers. While buying used comes with some additional considerations, it can also unlock a much higher level of refinement, technology, and comfort for the same budget.That value proposition becomes especially compelling when the luxury alternative doesn't sacrifice practicality. Modern premium crossovers offer spacious cabins, advanced infotainment systems, upscale materials, and strong performance, often while retaining the everyday usability that makes mainstream SUVs so popular. For buyers willing to look beyond the new-car showroom, there are some surprisingly attractive deals waiting on the used market.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites, including the EPA, CarEdge, J.D. Power, and RepairPal.A 3-year-old Audi Q3 now goes for less than the price of a new RAV4Skip the mundane choice and get something plushHead-on shot of a 2021 Audi Q5If you're looking for a simple and practical SUV, the traditional choice has always been the Toyota RAV4. However, with its redesign giving it a standard hybrid powertrain, its starting price tag has shot up, now sitting at well over $30,000. As car prices go up, shopping on the used market is looking more and more appealing. A great example is that for less than a new Toyota RAV4, you can now get a lightly used 2023 Audi Q5.2023 Audi Q5 trims and pricingWhen new, a 2023 Audi Q5 would have cost between $45,395 and $58,595, depending on which trim you opted for. German brands generally tend to depreciate very steeply in their first couple of years on the road, which is why these same models now cost thousands of dollars less. This might be bad news for those that bought new, but used buyers are getting a deal.A new 2026 Toyota RAV4 costs $31,900 to start, meaning that there are a good couple of 2023 Q5 trims with lower list prices.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Q5 puts down different levels of power depending on which trim you go for. The non-S-Line models feature the 40 TSFI powertrain, while S-Line models get the 45 TSFI. We think the latter is the way to go, and that the Premium Plus package offers the best bang for your buck. These models list for about the same price as a base 2026 RAV4 but comes with high-end luxury features, which we will dive into below.There is a plug-in hybrid variant of the Q5, but we review it separately.Audi's compact SUV comes with an ultra-luxurious cabin loaded with techMuch plusher and more comfortable than the RAV4Shot of the dashboard in a 2021 Audi Q5Being a budget-minding brand, Toyota has built the RAV4 to be simple and practical. While it has gotten a lot of tech and comfort updates for the 2026 model year, it still doesn't come close to luxury options like the Q5. Even the three-year-old model that we are highlighting feels worlds apart in terms of materials, build quality, and technology.Interior dimensions and comfortFor those concerned about practicality, the Q5 is a fantastic crossover. In terms of passenger space, it is more generous than a lot of the other compact luxury SUVs on the market. Its back seats even offer more headroom and legroom than you get in the Toyota RAV4. While the Q5 doesn't quite match the RAV4's massive cargo, it does come with enough room for a couple of suitcases or a large grocery haul.AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota's compact SUV might give the Q5 a run for its money in terms of practicality, but when it comes to comfort and quality, the German crossover is leagues ahead. Most surfaces are covered in high-end soft-touch materials, with leather upholstery being standard. Even the most affordable models come with things like tri-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats. Other available features include heated and ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof.Infotainment and technologyEvery Q5 comes equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, mounted to the top of the dashboard. It is a crisp and clear system that is really easy to navigate. Premium Plus trims and higher also come fitted with Audi's Virtual Cockpit, which is essentially a 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge cluster, which can display things like navigation maps, phone controls, and other media.All the tech features that you would expect are included here. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every model, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium Plus model that we recommend also comes with a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 360-degree camera. The Premium Plus trim also gets a pretty fantastic 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system, which will please most audiophiles.The 2023 Q5 is as quick off the line as it is comfortableThough the RAV4 is significantly more efficientAudiObviously, the hybrid-only RAV4 does come out ahead when it comes to efficiency. For a luxury compact SUV, the Q5 isn't exceptionally heavy on fuel, but it isn't exactly going to save you money at the pump. However, what you do get in the German SUV is a much more enjoyable driving experience. Not only is it quicker off the line, but its driving dynamics and ride quality make the Q5 feel like a better car to drive.2023 Audi Q5 performance and efficiencyRegardless of which model you get, every 2023 Q5 comes fitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. The non-S-Line 40 TSFI models make 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. We prefer the 45 TSFI models, though, which put down 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Either way, you get a fantastic seven-speed DCT and Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system.AdvertisementAdvertisementBoth powertrains make the Q5 quick off the line, but the 45 TSFI is the way to go if you're looking for something sporty. It'll get to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in 5.5 seconds. In either case, the ride quality here is superb, and the German SUV delivers light and accurate steering. There are some other luxury SUVs that feel a little sharper, but the Q5 is more engaging and more comfortable than the RAV4 by a long shot.For the price of something mundane, you can get a sleek and refined luxury SUVThe RAV4 is a great vehicle, but it lacks joy. If you just want your crossover to get you from A to B without any complaints, then you're pretty safe sticking with the Toyota. However, the 2023 Audi Q5 proves that for the same amount of money, you can get something that feels special. Not only does it look fantastic, but it comes with similar levels of practicality, a much more luxurious cabin, and a driving experience that will actually put a smile on your face. Loving your car is important, and the 2023 Q5 ignites your emotions without breaking your budget.
