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Premium compact SUV; Built in Germany
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $14,500 – $55,800*


2009 Audi Q5 Front


2009 Audi Q5 Rear


2009 Audi Q5 Interior


2009 Audi Q5 Profile

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Cargo room
  • Interior materials
  • Refinement
Cons:
  • Multimedia interface control complexity
  • Wind noise

Audi’s Q5 offers a level of refinement and cargo/passenger versatility unmatched by most compact SUVs. Those strengths, coupled with first-rate cabin appointments, make it a strong contender among premium compact SUVs. New-car prices could inflate quickly when options were added, but those extras typically add less to the used-car valuation. Audi’s MMI system still takes some getting used to, but overall, Q5 has become a leading competitor in this quickly mushrooming class.

Overview

Audi launched its brand-new Q5 compact sport-utility vehicle late in the 2009 model year. Serving as the German automaker’s first compact SUV, this five-passenger wagon came standard with the company’s quattro all-wheel drive. A single Premium trim level was offered, but Premium Plus and especially costly Prestige option groups were available. The sole powertrain teamed a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Audi’s quattro AWD system ordinarily split torque 40/60 front/rear, but had the ability to shift as much as 65 percent to the front and 85 percent to the rear as driving conditions warranted. Maximum towing capacity was 4400 pounds. Standard on Q5 were 18-inch wheels; 20-inch wheels were available.

Standard safety features included antilock brakes, traction control, an antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Rear side airbags were optional. Available features included Audi’s MMI (Multi Media Interface) system, which used a dashboard screen and a knob to control audio, navigation, suspension, and other functions. Other available features included three-zone climate control, a navigation system with real-time traffic information, keyless entry and starting, a rearview camera, blind-spot alert, a power tailgate, and a wireless cell-phone link. Optional Audi Drive Select allowed for driver control of engine, transmission, steering, and suspension settings. An S line option group added 20-inch wheels, headlamp washers, and unique exterior/interior trim. Rivals to the new Q5 included the BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, and Volvo’s new XC60.

Yearly Updates

2010 Q5
Because the Q5 debuted late in the 2009 model year, little changed for the 2010 season, though blind spot alert was now included in the Prestige package.
2011 Q5
The 2011 Audi Q5 lineup expanded to include a new lower-price 4-cylinder model, the base 2.0T, which had a 211-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine borrowed from the Audi A4.
2012 Q5
Although a gas/electric hybrid version of the Audi Q5 was expected for 2012, it was delayed until the 2013 model year. There were no changes of note to the existing Q5 models.
2013 Q5
The 2013 Audi Q5 featured a revised lineup, a new V6 engine, and assorted lesser updates. A gas/electric Hybrid debuted after being postponed from 2012. It was the first hybrid vehicle offered by Audi in North America.
2014 Q5
For 2014, Audi added a sporty SQ5 and a diesel Q5 TDI to the line. The SQ5 was powered by a 354-horsepower supercharged V6, while the TDI had a 240-horsepower turbodiesel V6. Horsepower of the the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder rose from 2011 to 220.

Engines

transverse front-engine/all-wheel drive

Early Q5s all had the same powertrain: a 3.2-liter V6 engine rated at 270 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive. For 2011, the Q5 added a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo with 211 horsepower mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Turbocharged dohc I41
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.0/121
Engine HP 211
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 258
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 20/27
Turbodiesel dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/181
Engine HP 240
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 428
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 24/31
Turbocharged dohc I4/electric
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.0/121
Engine HP 245
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 354
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 24/30
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.2/195
Engine HP 270
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 243
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic

 18/23

 19.6
Supercharged dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/183
Engine HP 272
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 295
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
8-speed automatic

 21/26

1. Horsepower 220 for 2014.

Road Test

Acceleration is impressive for a vehicle of this type; Audi claims a 6.7-second 0-60 mph time with the V6, which indeed feels peppy around town. Paired with its responsive six-speed automatic, it delivers ample smooth, linear power on the highway. We have not yet had the opportunity to test a Q5 with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo.

Fuel economy is passable. In Consumer Guide testing, we averaged 19.6 mpg with a V6. Both the V6 and the 2.0 turbo require premium-grade gasoline.

The Q5’s ride is composed and compliant, and only sharp bumps register. Suspension settings can be altered to bias sporty firmness or softer comfort via the optional Drive Select system (if installed).

Q5 is fairly nimble and exhibits only minimal body lean in fast corners. Steering feels firm and direct. Braking is strong and linear. A tight turning radius eases close-quarters maneuvering.

Although the Q5’s V6 engine growls appropriately at full throttle, it fades into the background around town. Road noise is well muffled, but the standard roof rails with removable crossbars induce an intolerable amount of wind noise at highway speeds. Without crossbars, wind noise isn’t noticeable.

All gauges are clear and well lit. Audi’s third-generation MMI control system still seems overly complicated, absorbing most audio, navigation, and climate functions. MMI does offer new features such as real-time weather and traffic, as well as voice control and a novel “3D” view of buildings in major urban areas. Dressed in standard leather and wood trim, the cabin imparts an overall classy air. Materials quality, design, and workmanship are top-notch.

Most adults will find sufficient headroom and legroom up front. Cushy, supportive front seats feature standard 12-way power adjustments for increased comfort. The panoramic sunroof with power sunshade adds an open, airy feel to the cabin. Visibility is aided by large side mirrors and (if installed) an optional rearview camera.

Second-row headroom and legroom are more than sufficient for average-sized occupants. Tilting and sliding 60/40 rear seats ease entry and exit and passenger comfort. So do the wide-opening doors.

A wide-mouthed hatch and fairly low floor ease cargo loading. The rear seatbacks fold easily and lay nearly flat for increased cargo space. Small-items storage is adequate but no more, consisting of several cupholders, a smallish center console, a decent-sized glovebox, and removable underfloor bins behind the second row.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2010 Audi Q5

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 7
70%
Fuel Economy - 6
60%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 8
80%

Other

Value - 9
90%

Total: 66

Specifications

4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
110.5 182.2 74.0 65.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
57.3 19.8 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.4 39.0 41.0 37.4
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2009 Q5 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Cruise control
Description: Snow and dirt on sensor might deactivate adaptive cruise control. (2013-14)
Engine misfire
Description: Loose camshaft-adjustment -valve filter may cause engine to run irregularly. (2010)
Ignition switch
Description: If something other than the ignition key (the wrong key, for instance) is inserted in the ignition lock, the remote keys will not work. In vehicles with the Advanced key, the trunk will not release; the start/stop button won’t work either. (2009-10)
Ignition switch
Description: Ignition key will not remove in some vehicles. (2009-14)
Electrical problem
Description: Rearview camera image may display because of faulty wiring. (2013-14)
Software problems
Description: The parking lights may stay on permanently if the system gets a wake-up (remote keyless entry unlock command, for instance) while in the fall-asleep mode, requiring reprogramming the control module. (2009-10)
Software problems
Description: The 12-volt power outlets may not work due to a problem with the software in the convenience control module and reprogramming it may also correct other issues including remote keyless entry, lack of trunk light, and others. (2009)

Recall History

2009 Q5
Description: On certain models built between November 25, 2008 and June 4, 2009, an improperly manufactured left and/or right A-pillar trim cover clip may allow trim to loosen when side-guard head-protection airbags deploy during a crash, possibly injuring front-seat occupants.
2012 Q5
Description: Sunroof glass may break in extremely cold weather, and falling glass could injure those in the vehicle.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on April 20, 2016.
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