German Automobiles
Audi Q5 Overview
Things are getting smaller: cell phones, houses, attention spans. Automobiles have also been hit with this downsizing trend, particularly sport-utility vehicles. Luxury divisions aren't immune, as an increasing number of premium compact crossovers have popped up over the past few years. The latest is the 2009 Audi Q5, a handsome little luxury SUV that takes its looks from big brother Q7, but borrows most of its mechanicals from the A4 sport sedan. The result is a stylish and capable entry in this growing segment.
The Q5 shares its wheelbase with the A4, and it employs essentially the same 3.2-liter V6 engine, Quattro all-wheel-drive system and interior design. Not surprisingly, it feels remarkably like the A4 from behind the wheel. However, the Q5 is 3 inches shorter, 3 inches wider and of course endowed with additional ground clearance. Compared to the A4 Avant wagon, the Q5 features 5 more cubic feet of maximum trunk space. This, along with a bigger back seat may be enough to offset the Avant's fuel economy, price and handling advantage.
While its underpinnings are all A4, the Q5 bears more of a styling resemblance to Audi's Q7 SUV. The Q7 is a three-row luxury cruiser hailed for its highway performance and impeccable cabin, but lamented for its pavement-crushing weight and unimpressive interior space. The Q5 shares the Q7's strong suits while doing a better job in the size department compared to its segment rivals. If you want a crossover from Audi, the Q5 might just hit the sweet spot.
MECHANICAL:
- 3.2L V6 engine
- 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission
- Front/rear electronically locking hypoid gear differential
- quattro all-wheel drive
- Fully galvanized steel unibody construction w/aluminum hood & tailgate
- Front five-link independent steel spring suspension
- Rear trapezoidal-link independent steel spring suspension
- Servotronic speed sensitive power steering
- Front ventilated/rear solid disc brakes
- Electromechanical parking brake w/drive-off release function
- Exposed dual exhaust tailpipes w/polished tips
- Tool kit & jack located in storage compartment in trunk
EXTERIOR:
- 18" x 8" 10-spoke V-design alloy wheels
- 235/60R18 all-season tires
- Temporary inflatable spare tire w/attached compressor
- Full body paint
- Brushed aluminum roof rails w/crossbars
- Brushed aluminum trim around side windows
- 2-way automatic halogen headlamps
- Dual front & rear foglights
- 3 blink touch-to-pass lane change feature
- Heated pwr mirrors w/LED turn signal indicators
- Privacy glass
- Automatic variable speed windshield wipers
- Heated windshield washer nozzles
- Rear window wiper w/washer system
- LED rear lights
INTERIOR:
- Leather seating surfaces
- 12-way pwr front bucket seats w/4-way pwr lumbar adjustment, seatback storage nets
- 40/20/40 split-folding second-row rear seat w/fully-flat folding, 10-degree seatback angle adjustment, fore/aft adjustment, independent quick-release from cargo area
- Folding & sliding front center armrest w/adjustable height & storage underneath
- Velour carpeting
- Front & rear floor mats w/fastening mechanism
- 4-spoke multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Tilt & telescopic manually adjustable steering column
- Trip computer -inc: outside temp display, digital speed display, radio/telephone display, active Auto Check system w/speed warning device, pictogram display for open door & deck lid
- Pwr central locking system -inc: convenience open/close of windows & sunroof, automatic locking/unlocking
- Pwr windows -inc: pwr retention, one touch up/down on all (4) windows, driver controlled lock-out, pinch protection
- Electronic active cruise control
- Interior tailgate release on driver door
- Anti-theft vehicle alarm system & immobilizer w/blinking theft deterrent light in driver door
- 3-zone automatic climate control w/B-pillar vents, pollen filter, humidity & sun sensors
- Electric rear window defogger w/automatic timed shut off feature
- Illuminated locking glovebox w/air-conditioned vent for cooling
- (4) 12V pwr outlets: front ashtray, front center console storage bin, rear of front center console, in cargo area
- (2) front cupholders
- (2) retractable cupholders in second row fold-down rear center armrest
- (4) bottle holders
- Front & rear ashtrays
- Aluminum trim around air vents
- Walnut wood decorative inlays
- (4) assist handles in headliner above each door w/slow retraction feature
- Front sliding sun visors w/illuminated vanity mirror for driver & front passenger
- Front & rear reading lights
- Front & rear footwell lighting
- Leather shift knob
- Storage nets in: passenger footwell, passenger-side cargo wall
- Removable cargo floor w/waterproof storage area underneath
- (4) tie-down eyelets in floor of trunk
- Hard cargo cover
SAFETY:
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) w/electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
- Hydraulic brake assist
- ESP (electronic stabilization program) w/roll-over mitigation, ABS, EBD, EDL, ASR, off road mode w/hill descent control
- Daytime running lights
- Impact protection w/reinforced high strength steel & aluminum crossmembers
- Driver & front passenger advanced dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints
- Driver & front passenger seat-mounted side thorax airbag supplemental restraints
- Front passenger occupant detection
- SIDEGUARD head curtain airbags for both rows of seats
- Front row three-point safety belts w/automatic pretensioning, height adjustable upper mounts, force limiters
- Rear second row three-point safety belts w/automatic pretensioning, automatic locking retractor
- LATCH (lower anchors & tethers for children) provisions in rear seats (including third row)
- Integrated child door locks in rear doors
- Tire pressure monitoring system
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