I don’t know who Audi has in mind to drive this car, but it isn’t Weekend Athletes.
Yes, you could take it camping in the way you could take any car camping. And you could take a bike in it, just like you could in any midsize SUV. But as far as I’m concerned, it would be like taking your grandmother’s irreplaceable china as the place setting for a picnic. You could do it, but why on earth would you want to?
On to the tests.
Audi’s Q5 small SUV and Volkswagen’s CC midsize sedan – both new for 2009 – have earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest crash-test distinction, Top Safety Pick. To earn Top Safety Pick status, IIHS requires a vehicle to pass front, side and rear tests with its best rating, Good, and come standard with an electronic stability system.
The Q5’s closest competitors also earned Top Safety Pick status, including the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Infiniti EX35. Some of the Volkswagen CC’s competition has also earned the distinction, including the Acura TL, Hyundai Genesis sedan and Infiniti G37.
Audi's Q5 is just the latest compact luxury SUV to hit the market, and it seems to be generating sales for the German brand. Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder delivers this video about the Q5, and we learn some things we didn't know about it. For example, did you know that the car's suspension can tell when there's cargo attached to the roof rack? Didn't think so.
2009|Audi|Q5
There I was, trying to make it through the Oscars, and low and behold a clever Audi commercial won me over. It was for the new Q5 SUV, which just went on sale. In the commercial, a bunch of kids run out of a schoolhouse to go home and all the cars waiting for them are beige Lexus RX SUVs. Then, up pulls a black Q5. A happy boy jumps in and drives home with his father. The tagline about identity theft is kind of lame, but the concept is great. You can check out the commercial above, and there’s another one featuring a woman who can’t find her SUV in a parking lot below.
The build-a-Q5 feature also just went live on Audi’s consumer webpage. It looks like the Premium Plus trim level is the sweet spot, at $41,500 with cool LED headlights, a standard Panoramic roof and heated seats. The Q5 went on sale last week.
There’s no question the new Q5 SUV from Audi is a good-looking little machine. The big question, since the first time we saw it at an auto show, has been, “How much will it cost?” The world of luxury SUVs is booming, and the Q5 is decently equipped at a starting price of $37,200, which puts it on a level playing field with the new Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLK and the BMW X3.
There are three trim levels, which we break down by price and standard equipment below. You can check out a gallery of the Q5 here as well. The SUV will get 18/23 mpg city/highway with its 3.2-liter V-6 and standard all-wheel drive. The new Q5 will arrive at dealerships next week.
We’ve brought you the first photos of the 2009 Audi Q5 this weekend and some video earlier today. Now, Audi has launched a special microsite for the upcoming crossover, complete with a large photogallery of photos. We’ve brought you those photos in a gallery of our own below or you can check out Audi’s site here. There are still no images of the Q5’s cargo area, which we find odd.
The upcoming compact SUV from Audi gets some drive time in the video above. Not only does the dark blue Q5 look good, it looks ready for production too. We’re not so sure many U.S. buyers will take the Q5 offroad as it’s shown in the video, but it’s always good to know that it can. We’re just ogling those LED headlights.
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2009 Audi Q5 Revealed
It’s not a shock to see Audi jump into the suddenly crowded compact luxury SUV market. The Q5 will hit the U.S. early next year and the company claims it will be priced around the competition listed above. The specs show that the Q5 will almost be identical in length to the EX35 – but it’ll be taller – and about the same overall height of a BMW X3, but longer. To us, that means it will actually have a useful cargo area unlike the Infiniti. In the looks department, the Q5 is far from cutting edge, although the LED taillights are quite something.
There won’t be any trim levels at launch, just one engine, one drivetrain, one transmission, no choices. Still, Audi’s 3.2-liter six cylinder is a terrific powerplant if you only get one choice, and most buyers in this segment are looking for all-wheel drive.
The Q5 adds an aluminum hood and tailgate to lower weight which helps with performance, but which also will make it easier to open and close them. Audi’s multimedia interface (MMI) is standard and there are a ton of high-tech options, including a Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated and cooled cupholders, power tailgate and a navigation system with real time traffic.
Check out more photos below and let us know if you think the Q5 measures up to the competition.
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