Test Drive: 2009 Audi Q5 Premium

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September 23, 2009

2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge

Manufacturer’s web site
Audi Canada

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Review and photos by Bob McHugh

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2009 Audi Q5

Surrey, British Columbia – The Audi interlocking rings on a luxury-class sport sedan, wagon, or a sports car, is a familiar sight. And while the new Audi Q5 luxury-class “cross-utility vehicle” is a break from tradition, it’s actually an easy transition for Audi because of quattro, its renowned all-wheel-drive system.

Built on a platform derived from the Audi A4, the Q5 is a wider and taller vehicle than a typical wagon. It has a more versatile interior that offers significantly more interior space for both passengers and cargo. There’s seating for five and its clamshell-shaped rear-door opening provides an extra low, and wide, rear cargo-entry point.

A compact trapezoidal-link rear suspension permits a low cargo floor and it also allows a bigger rear-cargo area. In addition, the Q5 claims the longest wheelbase in its class, best-in-class towing capability (1,996 kilograms) and best fuel economy.

2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge

In Canada, the Q5 comes in both a standard trim ($43,500) and a premium trim ($48,600) and competes with other affluent utes such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, Mercedes-Benz GLK and the Lexus RX350.

The Q5 has a long wheelbase and wide track, and its reduced front and rear body overhangs give it a muscular stance that looks “ready to move.” A modular chassis and lightweight suspension components also help give the Q5 an agile, sporty feel on the road.

On the mechanical side, it comes with Audi’s familiar 3.2-litre FSI V6, which is a direct fuel-injection engine. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and the latest version of Audi’s renowned Quattro all-wheel-drive system complete the drivetrain. The latter distributes power in a rear-biased 40/60 asymmetrical arrangement.

2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge

The very well-equipped standard Q5 comes with leather upholstery, eight-way power (and heated) front seats and a climate-control system.
A three-zone climate-control system comes with the Premium package and it also includes such stuff as a panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade; a rear-parking sensor system; LED daytime running lights, Bi-Xenon headlights, headlight washers, wood trim inlays, heated rear seats, Bluetooth and an iPod interface.

The standard wheels have 18-inch aluminum rims and the Premium package has a sportier spoke design, plus optional 19-inch or 20-inch wheels with performance tires. My test Q5 also came with an “intelligent” key, which includes a push button start/stop.

Styling

2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge

Up front, the Q5 sports the familiar tall grille face of Audi and its four interlocking-rings emblem, which symbolizes the four companies that amalgamated to form Audi in 1932.

The Q5 is a slick rendition of a two-box (wagon) style vehicle and has a 0.33 coefficient of drag. Considering its height and brawny build, the windcheating cd number is impressive. The Q5 is about 10 centimetres wider and 22 cm taller than the A4.

A unique feature of the Q5 is the design of its rear liftgate, which houses all of the vehicle’s rear lights. It wraps around the side of the rear fenders and provides an extra large (and low) opening to the rear cargo area.

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