2009 Audi Q5 Lockhart TX

December 10, 2009   By James Tate, DriverSide Contributor

2009 Audi Q5


2009 Audi Q5
DriverSide Overview 
Audi plans to be a major player in the luxury compact SUV and crossover market with its new Q5 . A segment dominated by the likes of the BMW X3 and Acura RDX , there isn’t much room for a new kid on the block – unless that newcomer happens to hail from the family that practically invented full-time all-wheel drive. Smaller than the three-row Q7 , the Q5 still manages comfortable seating for five, a serious tow rating and plenty of power, thanks to a 3.2-liter V-6. This CUV also benefits from all of Audi’s proprietary innovations, like Audi Drive Select and a clever, new-generation MMI system that’s finally as intuitive as the company advertises. Inside, the cabin is quiet and comfortable, filled with the kind of materials you’d expect of a car from Ingolstadt. We’re betting the company’s new baby ute will become the kind of benchmark the competition can only hope to emulate. 
 

What's to Like
Where to start? Audi has paid an excruciating amount of attention to every detail in the 2009 Q5. Stylish inside and out, the design is attractive without being gaudy. From behind the wheel, this CUV succeeds where so many crossovers have failed – it actually drives like well-toned midsize sedan. 
 
What's Not to Like
For now, Audi is only offering a 3.2-liter V-6 with the Q5. And while the engine is more than capable, it’s also thirsty. If we’re paying 17/24 mpg (city/hwy), we would like a little more power. The company is also keeping its fantastic dual-clutch transmission out of U.S. models for now.
 
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Thanks to the standard Audi Drive Select, drivers can choose between three sets of parameters depending on the level of comfort or performance they prefer. The result is a near-perfect drive for just about anyone. Steering is well weighted and responsive, and the suspension can keep up with even the most abrupt of driver inputs. The Q5 doesn’t seem to suffer from the painful body roll or nose dive that plagues the majority of competitors in this segment – giving the vehicle a firm, planted stance that builds confidence over time. Meanwhile, passengers are treated to a comfortable ride that handles undulations in the pavement with ease. Power from the V-6 engine is enough to put a smile on your face, and the Q5’s capable brakes are stout enough to keep the two-ton ute out of trouble when traffic bows up. We found ourselves looking for excuses to slide behind the wheel. That’s rare enough in any sort of vehicle, and unheard of in a crossover.
 
Engine and Drivetrain 
For now, Audi is offering a 3.2-liter FSI V-6 engine with 270 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, though a turbocharged four-cylinder ma...

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