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Comments
Two things bother me:
1. Turning Circle.
With a 110 " wheelbase, this car could need a lot of turning room.
By comparison, The Lexus RX450h needs something like 40 - 41" and it has roughly 107" wheelbase. My old Malibu Maxx, with a 112" wheelbase, needs 41 - 42".
2. Fuel Economy.
Had to dig elsewhere on the web and got 18 city and 23 highway. Not bad given the engine size and performance, and does well compared to the VW Tiguan, but is still more thirsty than the RAV4 V6 and a number of others.
Also, the Audi web site, for whatever reason, is drowned in glitz and video effects, but doesn't let one get the Q5's furshingluggner basic specs (I found nothing after going through several presentations and alternate site maps)!
By comparison, the Lexus and most other auto sites make getting specs easy.
I wouldn't worry about the turning circle of the Q5, at 38.1 feet it is about the same as most of its competition (new Lexus RX is 38.8 feet). These are curb-to-curb distances, not wall-to-wall. And Q5 fuel economy, while not the best in class, it is in the same ballpark as most of the competition. It's just too bad that the competition is all overweight just like the Q5. If they could get these things down under two tons (like maybe 3600 lbs.) they could get the same lb/hp ratio with about 50 less hp. That could provide better mpg. A good example is the outgoing Subaru Outback. It is actually very close to the same size as the Q5 (longer but not as wide), with more cargo room, yet weighs about 775 lbs less. Life is all about compromises.
The Q5 is by far the best looking, most refined and has the nicest ride but I thin the lack of a true cover of the huge sunroof will make it unbearably hot in the rear seat. Couple that with the weak rear cooling vents and the fact that no rear entertainment is offered and to me that would mark it off the list. Basically I think she should extend her lease a few months and wait until the LX350 with the rear entertainment makes it's way to the dealerships because that to me is the gold standard 5 passenger kid hauler with them having made what was already the leader better in pretty much every aspect. But I'm afraid she has fallen for the beauty, elegence and and supperior ride of the Q5 so we migth end up with one in the driveway shortly. We could do a lot worse but the rear seat heat issue and lack of rear entertainment are big short-commings for me.
Just my opinion. I actually think my wife should get the 2010 RX350 but between the Benz and Audi, for me it's not even close, the Audi wins hands down.
Then i test drove the audi Q5 with sline trim and 20 inch wheels. WOW , i was really impressed with it. The styling exterior looked great and interior blew the glk away. Also it felt much zippier and handled better than the glk, less harsh of a ride as well.
I took a bmw x3 out for a spin and it was god awful in almost everyway except the engine and good cargo room, The car reminded me of 1995!!
I have test driven maybe 8 small suvs in the segment and ultimatley the q5 easily won for me.
Now I have a audi 09 s-line sitting in front of my house and couldnt be happier with my desicion
BUYER BEWARE
Although the vehicle is fabulous, I am certain most of us would expect something closer to 18 mpg. Having had a Toyota 4runner V8 in the same city which had an EPA of 14 and weighed 6000 lbs with the same horsepower, I would get 10 mpg in the city. So, by comparison, something doesn't add up.
So my questions are: is it not true that Audi has a worse maintenance record than BMW (especially on the electrical side)? Would you, in my shoes, make the switch from X5 3.0 to Q5? If yes, why? If not why? (Again, I am looking for unbiased opinions here) Thanks.
I am now leaning towards waiting til early next year, so I will have definitive info on the 2010 X3 AND the 2010 Q5...
Thoughts?
I never drove the X3 but I am assuming that it will have a better ride/handling than the Q5, but has a dated styling and needs a refresh. I would wait for 2010 X3 before jumping for the Q5.
Also how much space did you loose from the switch?
Matt
I've been trying to decide between a '10 Q5 Prestige Plus and an '09 MDX (base). I can get a pretty good deal on an MDX right now. I really like the Q5, but am a little concerned that it might be too small (I currently drive a GMC Acadia, which is huge). I previously drove an '02 MDX, and liked it a lot. Have you looked at the current generation MDXs? I'm interested in your thoughts about these two vehicles.
KJF
I stopped in and looked at the Q5 Friday. Its obvious not as big as the MDX but larger than the RDX which I liked.
The MDX has always been one of the widest SUVs in its class. The new MDX is very nice don't get me wrong, and it a great value, but I prefer my '04 in many areas, ride/interior size/exterior looks. Its not enough for me to sell my '04 and get a'10. Just more of the same in a uglier body.
The Q5 now, WOW it looks stunning. You give up size to the MDX but no one uses the MDX third row anyway. The Q5 just looks AWESOME. The dual sunroofs have some serious cool factor. The navigation looks nice, although small. I must say I use the nav on the MDX all the time and is ultra easy. The Q5 looked user friendly when the guy showed it to me.
I have not driven the Q5 yet, as I haven't been given the go ahead to purchase yet. If I can get navigation and dual sunroofs for under $44k I'd be very happy but it might be out of budget.
The MDX can be had at that fully loaded but its much more car.
If you need size go with the MDX you will love it. There is not many minuses on the Acuras in my opinion.
Matt
I am hoping it is just me. I would hate to think there is a problem with a day old car. But knowing my luck.....
I clearly remember that i filled up with the premium grade 93 in a BP station.
what kind of gas should we use in the Q5
thanks
I fill with 93 as well, as there is no such thing as 91 in NY...at least not that I have seen (we have 87, 89 and 93). Try a different gas station. Check out this link.
http://www.toptiergas.com/index.html
Click on retailers. There are a number of stations recommended.
good luck
Any Prestige or SLine owners out there have any ride input they could share?
I went from a '07 LS to the '09 A8L and ther is no looking back. But, the real test with be this winter and how the quattro works in the snow.
But, I ordered the '10 Q5 with Prestige and my wife came from '08, 06 and '04 RX's and says the Q5 is 10 times better ride and handling. Plus with every extra, how can you not like the Prestige.
We cannot offer any advice on leasing, since we out right purchase all of our cars.
Good luck with your decision.
When you parallel park on the street and someone, either in front of you or behind you, is trying to get out of their spot. If it is a 'TIGHT" spot, many of people (not myself of course) will go forward and backward till they tap you. When they "THINK" they have cleared you, they will proceed to pull out. If they misjudged, they will "of course" rub up against, or bang against, or scrape up against one of the four corners of your bumpers. Well here-in lies the problem. Audi has decided to place lights and light lenses exactly as those vulnerable spots. I "betcha" these lights are a stock item they keep at the Audi parts dept., and I "betcha" it sure ain't cheap to replace. Can you say "Design Flaw". I may have to start thing about the Infinity FX35 now as I don't want to be back and forth with this issue.....Any thoughts people?????????
That would be the least of any worries.
1. Volvo XC60
2. Audi Q5
3. BMW X3
4. Merc GLK 350
5. Infiniti EX35
6. Nissan Murano
7. Lexus RX 350
I know the above are not all in the same league but I like their looks and what they offer for their price. I am also considering the following:
8. Audi A3 TDi Diesel
9. Subaru Impreza Outback Sport
10. Volvo V70
Any ideas on any of these? Which has the best reliability? I don't want to be spending hundreds of dollars in repairs or have the car be in the shop with the service dealers unable to figure out what is going wrong and me left without a car to drive. This is the primary reason why I want to buy a new car - great reliability.
Thanks and regards,
Gaurav
If your No. 1 concern is great reliability and low maintainance costs over many years, and you intend to own your vehicle beyond the warranty period, I would cross off all of the European vehicles on your list. That said, IMO the most desirable choice would be the Audi Q5, but only if you keep the car within the warranty period. I love the looks, performance, handling, winter traction and interior craftsmanship that Audi's give you, but they are expensive to maintain when the warranty expires (I've owned two of them). But I think most would agree that the same advice applies to Mercedes, BMW's and Volvo's, in general. If you're frugal, and plan to keep your vehicle for many years, look to the Japanese makes.
First and foremost, I have to say, I like this car a lot. Great handling, and immaculate interior are just to name a few.
That being said, there's a huge disappointment, a down-side, if you will. The rear seat shudders.
Now, it does not affect the safety of the vehicle, but it's annoying enough. Within the 2 years--1 year and 9 months to be exact--I'd brought it back to the dealership for the same problem for 7 times. From shuddering, the rear seat started to squeak. After my last visit, it came to square one. Squeaking noise is gone, but shuddering is still there.
The technician that had helped me told me the rear frame of the Q5's are to blame. He told me the rear seat is going to shudder and there's nothing they could do about it.
Moreover, he'd told me that Audi had recently re-designed the frame which lessened the shudder, but it's still going to be there.
I'm coming home and thinking, 'I'd paid more than $50,000 on a car, it should be better than this.' Even cars that cost less than half the Q5 don't shudder.
Come to think of it, I should have exercised the Lemon Law and made Audi buy back the car when I'd had the chance.
Now I'm stuck with a car that shudders in the rear seat. What cost me about $55,000 is worth about $30,000--according to the dealer's offer. Honestly, I don't know what to do with it anymore. I'm sick and tired of bringing it back and forth between home and the dealership--about 40 miles away. What's worse is that when my warranty expires, I'll either have to learn to live with the annoying noise from the back, or pay a lump of money trying to fix it.
Many friends and my wife have the 2010 Q5.......hers is the Prestise Plus (loaded).
Has never had a rattle or anything that would cause her to bring it in for service other than the required oil change and scheduled maintenance. She had 3 RS 350's and got the Audi and a 2012 GLK in FL. She said she would take the Q5 over all of them.
Now after saying that, she will get a new car this summer and we will be getting her an A6. After all the years with SUV's....it's time for a sedan.
Now my A8L............no better car on the road in that price range, not even the S550 which I was not impressed.
Everything JMHO.
I have my Q3 almost 33 months now and it happened so far once...
So these are unpredictable which makes it all the worse. The stopping issue is really jarring. I always get a comment from any passengers. I have seen other mention of this online.
I mentioned it to the audi dealer and of course they saw nothing on the first service. I think it is due to having 8 speeds.. I think this is overrated for engineering. I think the transmission is not very good.
You get very powerful acceleration sometimes... hard to predict when...other times it is moderate. then you get that lag... Then you get the jolt when it stops.
I am not loving this car. Overpriced due to refinement..but I don't find it so refined. Finally getting used to the combersome controls... still not great. Wish it had streaming of bluetooth sounds other than phone. ( A2DP). You get that in inexpensive fords..
but I digress