Topic: Audi Q5 -- Anyone own one and can relate their impressions?

[Angry Chicken]

Has anyone here got some personal, first-hand seat time in an Audi Q5?  I'm looking to downsize the Santa Fe a little bit, and the Q5 2.0T appeals to me.  It will tow a small trailer and it returns good gas mileage according to its EPA numbers and owing largely to its 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The 3.2 l V6 is a big step up price wise and by all accounts not that much greater a performer and at the penalty of poorer gas mileage.  The requirement for premium fuel for the 2.0T I-4 worries me a bit though. 

The vehicle has been out now for 3 consecutive model years so likely there will be some forum members or guests here who can comment.

Thanks in advance!

[initial_D]

I like the look of it, nice interior as well. Was going to replace the CX-7 with it, but since no dealership in town, didn't go further with that thought.

[Guy]

I understand that the diesel is on it's way for the Q5. Maybe a good option. I did road test the 4 cyl turbo. It does the job. Very nice interior. At least you get real leather unlike the other german brands...I also liked the fact that the rear seats are on track for front - aft adjustment. You can adjust between passenger room and cargo room as needed. 8 speed transmission is also very nice. There are tons of these on the roads around here. I also heard about a 3 months minimum wait to get one. Have fun shopping!

[2latecrew]

Has anyone here got some personal, first-hand seat time in an Audi Q5?  I'm looking to downsize the Santa Fe a little bit, and the Q5 2.0T appeals to me.  It will tow a small trailer and it returns good gas mileage according to its EPA numbers and owing largely to its 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The 3.2 l V6 is a big step up price wise and by all accounts not that much greater a performer and at the penalty of poorer gas mileage.  The requirement for premium fuel for the 2.0T I-4 worries me a bit though.  

The vehicle has been out now for 3 consecutive model years so likely there will be some forum members or guests here who can comment.

Thanks in advance!

I've never understood why someone would buy a 40 k plus vehicle yet be so concerned about playing an extra 4 cents a liter (or whatever the spread) for Premium.

Even if you drove 25K a year that would work out to less than $200 a year in the difference in regular to super.

[tpl]

Has anyone here got some personal, first-hand seat time in an Audi Q5?  I'm looking to downsize the Santa Fe a little bit, and the Q5 2.0T appeals to me.  It will tow a small trailer and it returns good gas mileage according to its EPA numbers and owing largely to its 8-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The 3.2 l V6 is a big step up price wise and by all accounts not that much greater a performer and at the penalty of poorer gas mileage.  The requirement for premium fuel for the 2.0T I-4 worries me a bit though.  

The vehicle has been out now for 3 consecutive model years so likely there will be some forum members or guests here who can comment.

Thanks in advance!

I've never understood why someone would buy a 40 k plus vehicle yet be so concerned about playing an extra 4 cents a liter (or whatever the spread) for Premium.

Even if you drove 25K a year that would work out to less than $200 a year in the difference in regular to super.

How about 14 cents a litre.  That is what it is around here.   I agree tho'  why would one care

[airbalancer]

4 cents, that would be great
Around here 87 is $1.25 , 91 is $1.41

[2latecrew]

4 cents, that would be great
Around here 87 is $1.25 , 91 is $1.41

Fair point. So an extra 385 a year instead.

An extra 7$ a week in Gas over regular. Would someone really not car they want for 40 K plus simply to save $7 a week in gas cost?

[allmango]

Like spending an extra cup of Timmy a day.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Agreed.  If your budget is that stretched, buying a new car should be out of the question, much less a premium brand.

[sidman]

I've test drove the q5; its a beatiful small crossover with an excellent drive. However, doing some more research online I found out this car has a lot of reliability problems.

 I guess 2010 and before, Audi was cutting corners and were using plastic fuel pumps which were failing before 15,000km leaving their owners on the side of the road. They've since changed to metal fuel pumps.

Others are having trouble with the 8 speed transmission (hesititation between 1st and 2nd gears --- audi won't acknowledge the problem) and sludge building up with the turbo motor.

Shaking wheels are also being documented. True Delta paints a similar picture, last time I looked over 95 problems per 100 vehicles, much lower reliability than average. CR finds similar findings.

If you look at some of the audi forums, some love it, others swear never to purchase another audi again after their experience with the Q5. Another note, good luck finding a deal on one of these, they wouldnt budge from MRSP up here in Ottawa and the wait was 6 months.

[Angry Chicken]

Thanks for the responses so far.  I do have a lot of research to do.  Yes, it might seem like I'm nickel and diming w.r.t. the mileage thing, but with gas prices going quickly North, every bit counts.  Also, I'm not a tree hugger by any stretch, but I would like to be a teensy-weensy bit environmentally concious, even if it's not a soul-sucking hybrid.  I know I don't *need* an Audi Q5, but I can temper my *want* with a bit of conciousness.

Interesting comments those, about the reliability.  More proof that I've only just started to look at our options....I haven't checked any Audi forums or the like, but I'm sure to start now.

[rrocket]

You buying new or used?

[2latecrew]

Thanks for the responses so far.  I do have a lot of research to do.  Yes, it might seem like I'm nickel and diming w.r.t. the mileage thing, but with gas prices going quickly North, every bit counts.  Also, I'm not a tree hugger by any stretch, but I would like to be a teensy-weensy bit environmentally concious, even if it's not a soul-sucking hybrid.  I know I don't *need* an Audi Q5, but I can temper my *want* with a bit of conciousness.

Interesting comments those, about the reliability.  More proof that I've only just started to look at our options....I haven't checked any Audi forums or the like, but I'm sure to start now.

I don't see how buying a car that uses cheaper regular gas is any more environmentally concious than a car that uses premium.

If you want an SUV with luxury and good mileage go for it but the octane in the gas you burn shouldn't really factor into the purchase decsion from what you are telling us.

I don't think I'd buy an Audi at the best of times and this model sounds pretty shaky. Lease one? <aybe buy it..not a chance

[Angry Chicken]

You buying new or used?

New.  We don't really need to replace our current vehicle until September so I can wait 2 months after signing a contract.  We're leasing, too, since it's a 100% right off on my business.

[ktm525]

4 cents, that would be great
Around here 87 is $1.25 , 91 is $1.41

Fair point. So an extra 385 a year instead.

An extra 7$ a week in Gas over regular. Would someone really not car they want for 40 K plus simply to save $7 a week in gas cost?

Add in the extra expense to maintain the diesel and you would be lucky to break even over the gasser.

[Angry Chicken]

Coincidentaaly, my wife, kids and myself were all sitting down talking about our just completed Q5 test drive when the notification email came in that someone had replied to this post.

Nice vehicle.  A bit small for my tastes, but since my wife would be the primary driver and *she* likes it, it doesn't really matter what I think.

[aaronk]

I wonder if a Tiguan would give you the downsize you're looking for with a bit of a price break. At the top of the price point the Tiguan is cresting the $40K mark (wow!) but if you slim down the options you could get one out the door for $35K. I'm not sure how important price is, the Q5 certainly is a nice little SUV, but the Tiguan shares many of the major components and costs less.

[Angry Chicken]

I wonder if a Tiguan would give you the downsize you're looking for with a bit of a price break. At the top of the price point the Tiguan is cresting the $40K mark (wow!) but if you slim down the options you could get one out the door for $35K. I'm not sure how important price is, the Q5 certainly is a nice little SUV, but the Tiguan shares many of the major components and costs less.

I thought the Tiguan and the A3 shared chassis architecture with the Golf.  Does the A4 also? The Q5 is based on the A4.  We're going to head down to the dealer tomorrow a.m and negotiate aon a 2012 Q5 2.0t premium w/ only one option, the bi-xenon headlights.  We have our carCostCanada report in hand!