Review and photos by Bob McHugh
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.
 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.
 2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge |
Audi interiors have become the benchmark for aspiring luxury-class auto firms and the Q5’s first-class cabin is typical of the brand. So, those familiar with Audi will quickly feel at home behind the wheel.
The instrument-panel gauges are easy-to-read white digits on a black background with red indicator needles – simple, yet very effective. The centre stack of the dash is angled slightly toward the driver and many of the controls are rotary knobs. A car-setup system allows the driver to choose exactly the way most of the electronic systems operate. For instance, even the loudness and the tone of rear parking-sensor warning signal can be adjusted.
Rear passengers are also treated well in the Q5. The seats are a generous size, have tall backs and there’s ample leg room, even for taller-than-average adults.
Easy-to-use pull levers in the cargo area and by each rear-door opening release the split fold-down rear seatbacks to expand the cargo area.
 2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge |
Safety is an Audi priority, and the Q5 recently earned a Top Safety Pick award for 2009 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The list of active and passive safety features is impressive and includes front seat-mounted side airbags, drop-down curtain airbags and optional rear side airbags.
On the active front, the Q5 has an advanced stability-control system that even adjusts its performance when the roof rack is in use. This is done in order to compensate for the expected change in the vehicle’s centre of gravity.
My test Q5 came with an optional Side Assist system, which warns the driver when a vehicle is approaching in an adjacent lane.
In addition to its high-tech, keyless push-button start, my Q5 came with an electronic park brake, a hill descent system and the Audi Drive Select system, which is unique to Audi and gives the Q5 three distinct driving personalities. The ADS control, positioned by the shift lever, allows the driver to choose three preset modes: Comfort, Auto or Dynamic. It alters the action of the steering, suspension, engine and transmission with each selection.
Comfort offers best fuel economy and softest ride. Dynamic, as you might expect, is a polar opposite and Auto reacts to general control inputs from the driver.
 2009 Audi Q5. Click image to enlarge |
The Q5’s 3.2-litre, V6 engine can produce a hefty 270 horsepower at 3,000 r.p.m. and torque (max 243 ft.-lb.) peaks at 6,500 r.p.m. According to Audi, it can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in about seven seconds. Yet, its 11.5/9.0 L/100 km city/highway fuel-consumption figures are surprisingly frugal for a vehicle its size.
The silky-smooth, six-speed automatic normally operates in the most fuel-efficient manner, seeking the highest gear possible. It can also be operated in a Sport mode and flipping the lever to the right selects a manual mode.
The new Q5 offers more utility to buyers who still want to enjoy a “premium sport” driving experience.
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Pricing: 2009 Audi Q5 Premium
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