German Car Zone

All Things to All People


If you're looking for a definition of what Audi is about, you don't have to look much further than the 2009 Audi Q5. Of course, if you're looking for some kind of premium flagship, then the Audi guys will wave you over to the midengine R8 sports car or perhaps the S5 coupe or even the Q7 V10 turbodiesel sport-utility.

These are fine pieces, sparkling evidence of Audi's ability to think laterally and develop examples of unexpectedly useful technology, a tradition that began with the inline-5 engine, moved on into all-wheel drive and has since popularized everything from direct fuel injection to LED running lights. For all this, though, Audi's strength continues to be simple transportation, vehicles that take you down the road and deliver you safely. You know, sensible stuff.

And the 2009 Audi Q5 expresses these sensible values. It's stylish, luxurious and powerful, yet this is an Audi that's content to be itself, rather than striving to be an alternative to a BMW or a Mercedes-Benz or even a Porsche.

All Things to All People

At its entry-level price of $37,200, the Q5 is a rival to the Infiniti EX35 and the Lexus RX 350. Add all the convenience features on the options list and the $49,000 Q5 Prestige ranks with the way the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2 and Mercedes-Benz GLK are usually equipped. And thanks to electronics that help configure the Q5's power, handling and control feel for the sporting driver, this Audi also tries to deliver the personalized performance of the new coupe-style crossovers like the BMW X6 and forthcoming Acura ZDX. The Audi Q5 makes the idea of being all things to all people into something good.

Scaled up from the platform of the Audi A4 sedan, the Q5 measures 182 inches overall, 74.8 inches wide and 65.2 inches high. It's a couple inches longer than a BMW X3, Land Rover LR2 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, roughly the same size as an Infiniti EX35 and Volvo XC60, and a handful of inches shorter than a Lexus RX 350.

Of all its competition, the 2009 Audi Q5's 110.5-inch wheelbase is the longest, which helps maximize interior passenger volume. Indeed, the Q5 affords 101.5 cubic feet of living space, with 29.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second seat and 67.3 cubic feet with the second seat folded. In comparison, the Lexus RX 350 has 100.9 cubic feet of interior passenger space, 40 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second seat and 80.3 cubic feet of capacity when the second seat is folded.


Full Story and Video: Edmunds Inside Line - 2009 Audi Q5 Prestige Full Test and Video


M

This is the first time I get to see the car in black, looks pretty. Out of all the small SUV the three Germans have to offer, the Q5 is the most manly out of the bunch. I could see myself driving this one without any sense of embarrassment in my body.

I really like it

Manly? the rounded smooth is manly? anyway i think the daring boxy shape of the GLK suits me better..

Round? Naah, I'd say a little butch.

Seriously. You can't tell me that Vin Diesel would look many driving down Rodeo Drive in a white GLK in Elegance trim. Using multiple women in advertisement and marketing campaigns, Mercedes have killed the prospects of any man buying the GLK. It's officially the Nintendo Wii of Mercs

^U make it sound like the GLK is only available in white..there's also black,blue and silver..

I see many guys driving the GLK compared to X3 and Q5.

The Q5 by far has the most soft feminine looks of the German three.

I agree, the Q5 is by far the most feminine-looking of the three. And it will age very soon, the front especially is pretty average. Looks boring.

I finally saw this car in the flesh today, and i have to say that I don't like it at all. It looks like 0.80*Q7 and feels very clumsy. The interior is very nice though!