The Audi Q5 is attractive and borrows some of the swooping lines from the A5 coupe. Check out the lines on the door.
The Q5 is generally considered to be one of the best small luxury SUVs. It’s also viewed as a “chick” car. So, can the Audi Q5 impress a guy? On a three day test drive I put the car though the ringer and a wet gravel parking lot (not what the Q5 liked). A small luxury SUV should be comfortable, competent, and fun. I found it to be competent, but not as comfortable as it should and not as much fun as it could.
For enthusiast drivers the Q5 has limited appeal. The 2.0T engine lacks consistency. Off the line it hesitates, at 4,000 rpm you get a kick in the head, and past 5,000 rpm it runs out of steam. Talk about inconsistent power delivery. Plus, under full acceleration the automatic keeps the engine above 5,000 rpm, which creates a lot of noise but not much thrust. The automatic routinely shifted before the 6,800 redline even with the gas pedal pinned to the floor. Why even have such a high redline if the engine power drops off?
The Handling is great on curvy roads. The stiff suspension delivers well-balanced and sporty handling. I raced up on a wet and slippery Highway 9 near Los Gatos, CA with utter confidence (I had the optional lager 19 inch wheels, but not a sports package). An Audi A4 (the basis for the Q5) will under steer more than this heavier Q5. The precise steering and well-sorted suspension almost makes you forget that this is an SUV. Almost. On fast bumpy curves the top-heaviness becomes apparent. Other than that it’s fun to drive, even with the lower grip all season tires.
For mall duty the engine feels strong. Let’s be honest. Most buyers will dive it to the mall, not race up mountain passes like I did. It’s a pleasant run-about that has the typical buttoned down German sports sedan feeling. The engine pulls nicely – if you are slowly easing into the gas. Depressing it ¼ of the way produces good acceleration and makes the car feel faster than it really is. Once you adjust to the delayed engine response it has enough passing power to handle any situation.
But, the ride is too harsh for a luxury vehicle. Cruising on anything but smooth roads creates harsh impacts and even small road undulations register with a low frequency thumping. It seems that the structure of the Q5 resonates too much. Some more sound-engineering is needed. If feels unfinished. Not premium. Disappointing.
Check out my new “Craig’s Wish List” bonus feature at the end of the post.
The engine sounds like a downgrade. Driving the Q5 2.0T there is always this nagging feeling that you have a lesser engine. It might pull strongly, but it also vibrates and sounds like a 4 cylinder (or a modern diesel for that matter). The engine is quieter than what I remembered from an A4, but it will never be confused with much smoother BMW or Mercedes 6 cylinders. At this price level I expect strong AND smooth engines. Audi, if you need to offer a 4 cylinder, then sell them at a nice discount. Charging the same for a lesser engine feels like margin improvement on the back of consumers. Think about upgrading to the V6 (for $3,100 more) if you want a better, faster, smoother engine.
The Q5 looks bigger on pictures. In reality it's not that big, four fit well but not five.
The buttons around the shifter look good on pictures but the placement is ergonomically challenged
The Q5 is a small but classy. The overall packaging is just right sized for four adults. Adding one more isn’t recommended unless you want to start a fight between your friends.
The general ambiance is classy luxury car, which is what we come to expect from Audi. The trunk offers good space for shopping trips but forget taking 3 to the airport with an average amount of luggage. Then again all small SUV’s have a small trunk, so that’s what you get for picking a small SUV.
The new 8-speed automatic and 2011 engine are getting better. The new for 2011 8-speed automatic is very good and should have been standard in my 2010 A5. It doesn’t feel as smooth as the new BMW 8-speed, but it shifts quick and crisp.
Gas mileage. That’s one area where the 4 cylinder should shine. In my testing the Q5 averaged 17mpg. My old 2002 745i also averaged 17mpg but had a 325 hp V8 and much more space. So, the gas mileage is SUV typical bad even with a 4 cylinder. Why do you want an SUV’s again? Oh, yeah it’s the higher up seating position, I guess.
Women love it. My lady passenger was smitten with the Q5. She loved the high but not too high seating that makes for easy entry and exit, the classy interior, and the overall quality feel. After a test drive she deemed the Q5 comfortable and spacious enough for a family road trip (I didn’t agree). She also didn’t object to the engine sound as I did … and she hates her Nissan Altima 4 cylinder whine. So there you have it. Women love it. And that is a problem for most guys.
The Q5 is a chick car. When is the last time you saw a guy driving one? For the same reasons women love it, guys don’t want to be seen in it. I was glad that “Audi Courtesy Car” was plastered all over the back.
The Q5 from the back
Conclusion
The precise steering and sporty suspension make this a very well handling SUV. It is fun to drive and offers enough space for four. Unfortunately the unsupportive seats and inconsistent power delivery take some of that driving fun right back. For cruising around town the engine is swell, but the ride is too harsh. What you are left with is an SUV that is not as comfortable as it should and not as sporty as it could.
It is still a compelling package and a fun little car. It grows on you over time, I miss it. If you can live with the steep pricing there is nothing seriously wrong with the Q5. My tester came in at $45,000 with a few luxury options (Premium Plus, Multimedia Package) which gets you navigation, xenon lights, Bluetooth, sunroof, etc., … all the things you need.
Alternatives
If you have sticker shock cross shop a Toyota RAV4 V6. It’s $10,000 to 15,000 cheaper, is faster, and also a chick car. Avoid the 2010 X3 at all costs. It will be replaced with a much better design in December 2010. The Mercedes GLK looks more butch and appears to be a good alternative if you like things more comfortable and less sporty. I wonder how many female Subaru Outback drivers will trade for a GLK.
Or, for the same price as a Audi Q5 you can get the brand new and excellent 2011 Grand Cherokee. Fully loaded with “trail rated” batch, V8 and leather it’s about 45K, just like my Q5 tester. That would be my choice of SUV: big, luxurious, and masculine.
Audi Q5 2.0T in short:
Great handling and steering even without a sports package
Smart packaging and space for four adults
Engine is strong, but lacks refinement
Difficult to understand ergonomics take a step back in time
Pricy with popular luxury options
Seats are unsupportive. Audi, we need sport seats
Stiff ride, annoying resonance noises from the structure
“Chick car”, if you are concerned about that
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Bonus Feature
“Craig’s Wish List” for the Audi Q5 2.0T. If Audi were listening here is what I would change:
Easy Stuff to fix:
1. Install sports seats. You probably think that only short-legged timid woman are buying the Q5. Then why would you set up the suspension like it’s an S4? Make it a complete package by springing for better seats. You have plenty good ones in the existing Audi/ VW inventory to choose from.
2. Fire the guy who made the button placement decisions. And get back to the ergonomics that make sense, not the ones that look good in pictures.
Harder Stuff to fix:
1. Audi, you need to get rid of the annoying resonance noises. Don’t skimp on insulation and sound engineering. The Q5 does not feel premium yet. Didn’t think I noticed? Yes I did.
2. Fix that turbo lag in your 2.0T engines. And make it pleasurable to rev past 5,000 rpm. I’ve heard Hyundai nailed it with their new 2.0 turbo engine in the Sonata. And as always BMW figured it out a while back. But I’m sure you already know that.
3. What’s up with that sliding rear bench? Why does it only slide forward? I though the point was to get additional knee room, not take it away. Audi, you need to figure out a way to increase rear legroom. I know the rear wheel wells are in the way, but you designed that not me. Find a way, I know you can.
