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Audi Q5

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Comments

  • kurtamaxxxguykurtamaxxxguy Member Posts: 1,798
    Thanks for video, Folks!

    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.
  • md_outbackmd_outback Member Posts: 185
    Hey kurt...
    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.
  • e46m3e46m3 Member Posts: 14
    Funny, I'm in the exact same place. My wife's 2007 RX350 lease runs out next month so we are shopping around for the replacement for her and my 5 and 6 year old boys. If the 2010 RX350 had the rear entertainment package ready to go we probably never would have made it out of the Lexus Dealership. But since it's not available yet we have looked at a few more cars and my wife really liked the Q5. The others we have looked at include the 2009 MDX, Mazda CX-7,and Hyundai Genesis V8 (my suggestion, love that 375 HP and impressive list of options with the Tech package). I have BMW 335i so we don't want 2 of the same make, and we had an ML 350 before and didn't like the ride or the experience with the service Dept plus the new Benz crossover is ugly. The MDX has such a bad ride in the rear with all the road vibration transmitted to the lateral seat support right to your ribs and kidney so that was a deal breaker.

    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.
  • e46m3e46m3 Member Posts: 14
    Wow, I'm kind of surprised and confused. I think looks-wise to me it isn't even subjective or in the ey eof the beholder, the Audi looks MUCH better than the GLK period. In fact the Benz looks much more like a wagon and is much more of a chicks car if you ask me. I would bet at least 60-70% of GLK buyers will be women, closer to 50/50 for the Q5. And I dont really get how you saw better materials in the Audi but "sense the Mercedes will be more durable and will have fewer problems over time". If it is anything like my experience with a ML350 the fewer problems couldn't be more misguided.

    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.
  • nendonendo Member Posts: 2
    I was keen on getting a mercedes glk until i test drove it. Boy was i underwhelmed. The exterior styling looks pretty good with the 20,s but the interior looked cheap and felt like i was in a subaru. I am coming from a mercedes e55 and this was a huge step down in every way.

    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
  • crossover1crossover1 Member Posts: 27
    I am sorry, but the GLK is an ugly beast. When I saw it for the first time, I could not believe Mercedes designed such a car, specially when they have have the best styled vehicles on the road. Maybe it's just me, but I it realy sticks out as a soar thumb on the road.
  • jscotydjscotyd Member Posts: 1
    The EPA is 18/23. I live in San Francisco. I am getting 9.5 - 10 in the city and I am very dissappointed. The service department has pronounced the vehicle free from defects and Audi USA has said case closed since the EPA is the one who certifies the mileage.

    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.
  • crossover1crossover1 Member Posts: 27
    You are not talking about a Q5 (I hope). After my first week and I am averaging 19-21 mpg combined (mostly city driving). Highway I am averaging 24-25. Heard that after the first 1,000 miles MPG will improve. Something is not right!
  • alexgp11alexgp11 Member Posts: 8
    Friends, I am looking for some unbiased advice here. I am a longtime BMW owner and have always treated my cars as jewels. I currently have a 2001 X5 3.0 w/Sports Package, a real looker, and has absolutely never given me any headaches at all (in the contrary). That said, I have never owned a car for more than 5 years and we are coming onto 8 with this one now. All along, I had thought I’d make a change next year, but, with the release of the Q5 and others, plus the economy giving consumers theoretically some edge, I am considering a switch now. I am test-driving the Q5 next week and have already researched enough to know that the overall dimensions (interior and exterior) are not significantly different (although I want to witness that, as I am sure the trunk/cargo area is smaller).
    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.
  • crossover1crossover1 Member Posts: 27
    Car and Driver issue compares the X3 with the Q5 and three other luxury SUVs. Q5 came on Top. Also C&D has an online survey on which SUV will you preferre to buy. There must be a list of over twenty and the Q5 tops the list (distant first). I own one and it beat all my initial expectations.
  • alexgp11alexgp11 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks crossover1 - note, though, that I currently own an X5, not an X3, and my indecision is between a Q5 and a 2010 X3, not the current X3, which I think is hideous! :-)
    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?
  • voltrader66voltrader66 Member Posts: 2
    I have had the Q5 Prestige for a month and I think that there is a serious design issue with the gearbox. When you start moving from stop, the gear quickly switches from 1st to 2nd and if you are still pressing hard, the gear gets stuck in 2nd. You have to lift off and try again gently before the gear switches up to 3rd, but then it will go straight to 6th and stays in high gear even though you are just crusing along at 20-25mph.. I live in a small town where there is a lot of start/stop traffic between 5mph to 30mph. I think the car performs poorly in these conditions. One certain flaw is when you are stopped at a left turn then start to take the turn the gear will not change up to 2nd no matter how much you push the accelerator paddle. You have to again lift off and press again gently to get proper gear changes. The car handles badly IMO on small city/town roads. Alas when i test-drove, it was of course on a quite country lanes with no traffic. My wife really liked how it looked and that was a major factor in the purchase. We are both regretting the purchase.
  • voltrader66voltrader66 Member Posts: 2
    Our previous SUV was the X5 3.0i...IMO the X5 is head and shoulders above the Q5 in terms of ride & handling. The X5 rode like a sports car, the Q5 has a big, heavy, sluggish feel to it. Both have great interiors. Contrary to popular opinion, the Audi MMI is not that much more user-friendly than the X5 i-Drive.
    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.
  • wdplwdpl Member Posts: 2
    My owner's manual shows those handy under-the-seat storage trays in the front seats but my new Q5 doesn't have them. Dealer claims he knows nothing about the trays. Any of you other owners have these trays or are they missing?
  • metsknicksfanmetsknicksfan Member Posts: 3
    I have owned the Q5 for 3 weeks, and it is fun, fun, fun! In sport mode it drives like a sport sedan. Nothing like the MDX that I still own. The MMI system takes time to learn and understand, however, the easy voice commands are fantastic. The driver information system on the front panel is easy to read.. The free traffic reports and dynamic routing NAV system is better than any car or Garmin GPS that I have ever used. I wish the car came with a bumper to bumper warranty, as I have been reading the Q7's have frequent (every 15-20.000 miles) need for brake pads and rotor changes. I hope that since the Q5 is 900 lbs lighter than the Q7, the brakes/rotors will last at least 35,000 miles, as they are not a warranty item. Only time will tell if the Q5's quality will set a new higher standard for Audi. In the meantime, the Q5 is off to a great start! It blows the X3, Volvo XC60, Acura RDX, and Lexus RX away!
  • soonercatsoonercat Member Posts: 48
    For anyone wanting to retire the A4 or 328/335 you will not regret it for a minute. Great ride.
  • mattsammattsam Member Posts: 25
    How do you compare the Nav from the MDX to the Q5? I'm leaning towards replacing my 2004 MDX Touring with the Q5
    Also how much space did you loose from the switch?
    Matt
  • kjf52kjf52 Member Posts: 1
    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
  • telebumptelebump Member Posts: 12
    We just bought an MDX three months ago and have a Q5 on order. It is a bit like comparing apples and oranges. The MDX is quite a bit larger than the Q5 - lots of storage space, huge trunk area and third row seats if you need them. The Q5 is lacking in storage space up front in particular, and has a much smaller trunk area. The middle row also feels more cramped to me in the Q5 than the MDX. We have the MDX for the wife who does most of the hauling of the kids, and the Q5 is for me and will be primarily just front row seating. BTW, we LOVE the MDX - it is an outstanding car, great nav, fun to drive and tons of space.
  • mattsammattsam Member Posts: 25
    I have, I negotiated and purchased my parents '09 MDX. Its an excellent car. But I have had two an '03 and and '04
    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
  • raenysraenys Member Posts: 13
    I just picked up a new 2009 q5 premium plus (left over). Has anyone had any experience with the car jerking when almost at a stop? And then jerk a bit again when just starting to accelerate? It is slight, but it is annoying. Wonder if there is a problem or if Audis are known for this. It is my first. I also find if I take my foot off the brake to inch up, I jerk a little again, only for it to happen one more time when I accelerate. I also find it a bit slow on pick up, but once I get over 10-15 mph, its has a lot of power.

    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.....
  • crvexcrvex Member Posts: 23
    After filling up the tank the first time, I noticed louder and louder road (also engine) noise of my Q5. Is this normal?
    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
  • raenysraenys Member Posts: 13
    According to the info near the gas cap, a minimum of 91 octane is "recommended".
    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.
  • audiq5caaudiq5ca Member Posts: 4
    I had a similar experience w/ my new Q5. People kept telling me this would stop after the break in period. After the first two months this jerking stopped, the slow down and accelerating have become very smooth.

    good luck
  • raenysraenys Member Posts: 13
    Hmm. That is good to hear. I actually brought my Q5 into service. They had to so a software update on it. The jerking has improved. My car will be two weeks old on Thurs, so I will see where I am at in 2 months. Thanks very much for your reply!!! I still feel a little, though it is dramatically better than it was before.
  • ftlnewaudiftlnewaudi Member Posts: 13
    I am considering moving from my 2006 A6 4.2 to a new Q5. I have driven a Premium Plus with the 18" wheels and liked the vehicle. Overall though I prefer the Prestige or an SLine which have the 19" or 20" wheels. I did not plan to get Drive Select. Problem is I can not find one Prestige or SLine at any of the South Fla dealers to test drive. The larger tires should improve handling but I am concerned about what they would do to the ride quality.

    Any Prestige or SLine owners out there have any ride input they could share?
  • dssxxxxdssxxxx Member Posts: 69
    I can only reply for my wife.

    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.
  • simagicsimagic Member Posts: 84
    I'm thinking about the Q5......One BIG problem...
    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?????????
  • dssxxxxdssxxxx Member Posts: 69
    The sensors seem to be at the same location on all cars/SUV's. I have not heard of any problems, with any vehicles.

    That would be the least of any worries.
  • simagicsimagic Member Posts: 84
    It's not the sensors I was speaking about . It's the lights and lenses that "wrap around the rear bumper and the other lights up front
  • agauravagaurav Member Posts: 5
    I am thinking about:

    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
  • JBaumgartJBaumgart Member Posts: 890
    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.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    A reporter is looking to speak with someone who bought a new small luxury SUV (like a X3, Q5 and RX 350) recently. If you are interested in sharing your story, please respond to [email protected] no later than Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Please send your contact info, the name of the make/model you bought and a few examples of models that you also considered.
  • ohnims2ohnims2 Member Posts: 31
    I currently own a '10 Q5, and I thought I shared my experience with the car since I'd taken delivery of it--about 2 years ago.
    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.
  • dssxxxxdssxxxx Member Posts: 69
    You got a bad one.......:-(

    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.
  • nisko81nisko81 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2011 Q5 3.2 Prestige S-Line and I have never heard of any such problem.
  • mmhblgmmhblg Member Posts: 6
    Looks like a great list. I've owned a Volvo V70 for five years now and have had no trouble at all. I've found the routine maintenance to be reasonable ($550 for the 60K) and would buy a Volvo again in a heartbeat!
  • chrisch70chrisch70 Member Posts: 46
    Living in Baltimore.

    I have my Q3 almost 33 months now and it happened so far once...
  • shadowchasershadowchaser Member Posts: 94
    I have this every once in a while. It is very very disconcerting. I also have a lag when trying to acelerate from a stop. ... also rarely..

    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
  • plupplup Member Posts: 1
    I had the same problem with my 2010 Q5. The difference was my dealership replaced the rear seat frame under warranty - no questions asked, end of issue. I agree with you that when we pay this amount for a vehicle there should not be an issue or it should get fixed.
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