Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Audi Q5
We think it's normal to feel some trepidation when driving an SUV outside the United States, even a compact crossover like the 2009 Audi Q5. Utility vehicles don't get any kind of special treatment here in Valencia, Spain, and once you stray from the main motorways, the roads get narrow and drivers in subcompacts get fearless. Yet even as we're squeezing the Q5 between medieval buildings with tiny Renaults underfoot, we're relaxed, because Audi's new SUV is the right size.
Read more and post your comments here!
Transforming the A4 Into an SUV
Read more and post your comments here!
Transforming the A4 Into an SUV
0
Comments
VW and Audi have shared platforms for many of their vehicles, with nicer interiors, different handling characteristics, cachet and pricing separating Audi from VW.
Ignore this guy. It's a ploy to promote the website. Better yet - tell people never to buy anything from anyone using this kind of deceptive advertising tactic. Basically he wants you to get curious how they get Q5 cover so early and check out his website.
BTW: I'd tried out the RDX. It drives well but I can't really distinguish the interior from a Honda. Even the current-gen Nissans (not Infiniti) have nicer interior than RDX.
Another Q5 competitor I haven't seen mentioned yet is the soon-to-release Mercedes GLK site here . I'd also tried X3 and it's too cramped. Also considering 2010 RX350 which should come out soon as well. Things will be interesting in this segment in 2009.
What a gorgeous vehicle!! Looks far better than the pics (which are already great) and drives like a dream.
It's actually pretty roomy inside (loads more than the Tiguan) - plenty of shoulder room and the trunk's pretty good too.
I'm now working through brochure (also picked up today) and waiting for pricing. Apparently pricing was set but then Mercedes released pricing for the GLK which prompted an Audi rethink (downwards, I assume).
Thanks
- great driving dynamic, though not as car-like as the X3
- smaller cargo area than I had thought
- looks good
- wish i could get it without the panoramic sunroof (sunshade is semi-transparent! strange and ill-advised in hot climates)
- wife approved, favorite CUV she's driven
- stock radio kind of weak, but bang&olufsen only available on uber expensive Prestige package
Now we need to check out the GLK as our local Audi dealership won't give us any deals on pricing until end of March.
Anyway, I thought the 2 vehicles were very similar in terms of power, handling, and to a lesser extent, ride quality. I'd give the Mercedes the edge in ride quality (it had the 20" wheels, which I don't want). I live in Chicago and drove the Mercedes over several "craters". Nothing - not a quiver, shake, rattle. The Audi didn't have that same carved from granite feeling, but is still quite good.
The drivetrain seemed a little bit better sorted on the Mercedes as well - there were times I caught the Audi hesitating under part-throttle acceleration (for example, slowing for a red light, and then pressing the accelerator when the light changed). The Mercedes also seemed a little smoother accelerating from a dead stop. The Mercedes just had a turbine quality to it the Audi couldn't match.
In terms of interior room and comfort, I'd give the slight edge to the Audi. I'm a pretty big guy (6'4" and around 235), and the Mercedes felt a little narrow inside. Part of what drove this sense was the fact my shoulder was in frequent contact with the B-pillar, which never happened in the Audi. The Mercedes, however, did have more front legroom, which is great for tall people. The rear seat space seemed pretty comparable, but neither was spacious enough to accommodate me behind the driver's seat. Cargo space was comparable as well, but the Audi seemed to have a little more floor space, which seems more practical for daily use.
For quality, the Mercedes get the edge for build quality, while the Audi gets the edge for materials. If the Mercedes people read this, and I hope they do, PUT LEATHER SEATS IN THE &^%$ CARS! It is ludicrous to be looking at a $45K vehicle without leather, esp. when all your direct competitors have it. Vinyl seats suck - they sucked in my parents 1973 Ford LTD station wagon, and they suck now. As expected, the Audi's interior had a warmer feel with the leather and wood trim, but the quality of the actual materials (other than the leather and wood) were no different than the Mercedes. The Mercedes did seem better assembled, and, again, gave the impression that it would last longer.
For features, I'd give Audi the advantage for the MMI system, which is well designed and more intuitive than the Mercedes. I liked the Audi information display in the instrument cluster better than the Mercedes version as well. The integration of this display with the steering wheel controls was better executed on the Audi. The nav system worked better also. The Audi did not have the B&O sound system, while the Mercedes had the HK Logic 7 system - I preferred the sound quality of the Mercedes but would need to hear the B&O system before making any judgments.
So, summing up, I'd likely pick the Mercedes over the Audi because of the ride quality, solidity, and assembly quality. I sense the Mercedes will be more durable and will have fewer problems over time. I also liked the enormous front legroom in the Mercedes. The rest of the preference is purely aesthetic - the Mercedes just seems a little more "manly" than the Audi, more like an SUV than a station wagon.
Enjoy!
Overall it seems like a great car and the cargo space is enough for me and very versatile as well.
Please inform of any deals out there that people are finding.
Thanks
36months, 15K miles, $3K down, $645
36months, 15K miles, $2K down, $549
Not sure why the difference but $699 might be a bit high unless this is the Prestige model. If you can wait you likely get a better deal in a few months.
According to Edmunds TMV is about 1K off MSRP but I doubt you could get this right now. Potentially this comes from returning AFC customers getting a loyalty discount.
I got $740 off the price of the car and then bought the Audi Care since it increases the residual by 1%, therefore only increasing price about $8 per month.
I do not have the lease info in front of me, but MSRP was around $45,300 and MF .00042 with residual at 50%. I may be able to save a little in a few months, but I am getting the car tomorrow, first one in the region. I had a chance to see it tonight, very excited.
I think you got a decent deal definitely for a brand new model.
I do think it's a pity how Audi priced the Q5. E.g. if you want base Audi Q5 with rear view camera (important safety feature I think) you have to spend at least extra 7K which amounts to $45K. Good amount of money for a smaller SUV but comparable to Mercedes/BMW (but much higher compared to Lexus/Acura).
MSRP : $ 45,325
Lease 36 months with 15 k mi per year
Sales price - $ 44,025
Residual: 50 %
Money factor: .00037
Zero down
Inception fees and taxes : $ 3500
Payment 659/month.
This is the secon quote I recieved. The first one from a different dealer with the same parameters was $ 686/month. I am going to get a another quote in March. I think the numbers will come down after the first of the month.
-Premium Plus
-Navigation
-Black
-Cardamom Beige
-$45K
Delivery guaranteed for second week of March...
Just waned to share my experience with all of you. I put in the order for a Q5 2 weeks ago.
- Prestige package
- Deep Sea Metallic
- Black interior
- Audi side assist
46995$ including destination charge. (Took about 30 calls (~ 2 hrs) to different dealers to get this price)
This is a factory order for May delivery.
Seems like a good deal?
In summary, another unneccessary, overpriced SUV.
"Bigger road presence" is by no means a universal benefit nor an objective point.
It's a beautiful vehicle, although neither one of us liked the standard 18" wheels.
A 5 spoke A5 18" wheel would have looked much better.
The interior and dash design are really nice. head and shoulders above my '07 SRX.
I wish GM could design a steering wheel as nice as the q5's.
The cargo area is a little short but we determined that a push lawnmower would fit and that with the 3 different sections of the back seat being moved independently it would work for most cargo.
I think it is a beautifully turned out crossover,maybe 1 or 2K too high in price but definitely something we are thinking about.
BTW I am a long legged 6'8" and could comfortable in the front seat and comfortable in the back seat with front seat up some.
I'm not sure how the sunroof shade will work in hot climates. I wonder if it should be solid and not just a screen?
hopefully we will drive it in the next week or so to see how it performs from a handling and ride perspective. I am already guessing it has plenty of power.
Acceleration and pickup is decent but I really want Audi to bring over the 2.0T from the European models for comparison. We both love the car, but don't know if we love it to spend >$10k over a RDX or ~$4-5K over a comparably equipped MDX. (Listed at $45k).
I also don't like how audi and MB have an additional charge to turn the car in. GM has never done that beffore, but alas no more leasing at GM.
I went to the MB dealer yesterday and the GLK is a more expensive looking vehicle than the Audi.
The q5 only looks good to me with the optional 5 spokers and then the sline wheels are nice too but a little over the top.
Seeing how they do with mileage and reliability will be helpful for future decisions.
Unfortunately we currently have __one__ Audi dealer here in Portland, though Audi staff at the show revealed another local dealer may show up in a year or so.
Also, for Oregon I'd avoid the 20 inch bling-tires. Oregon roads have many potholes that will quickly smack them flat.
Lease Calculator
Dealers' lease calculations are usually off by a few dollars than the result you will get from lease calculators, but at worst, the difference will be $5-10 a month and certainly not the enormous difference your dealer is telling you now. Sounds like a couple of thousand dollars in fees tacked on to the agreed-upon selling price.