Review: 2009 Audi Q5
#31
Lexus Champion
I was able to check out the Q5 at the Chicago Auto Show today. Styling-wise IMO it is much better than the GLK. The interior is nice too. There was much more interest in the Q5 than the GLK, but it has been out for a short time now. Lots of interest too in the '10 RX, even more than the Audi.
Have fun and enjoy the show. Let us know if Subaru brings the 2010 Legacy/Outback there. I was hoping they would have it at the D.C. show but they didn't.
mmarshall, no 2010 Legacy's or Outback's at the show, all were '09's.
Have fun and enjoy the show. Let us know if Subaru brings the 2010 Legacy/Outback there. I was hoping they would have it at the D.C. show but they didn't.
mmarshall, no 2010 Legacy's or Outback's at the show, all were '09's.
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I cannot recommend the Pilot. Its simply average at best and ugly to boot. Looks like a Honda Jeep Commander. MPG is average, materials are average, its just ugly average with a Honda badge. THe highlander is better and the GMs Arcadia, the Chevy one are too. I find the Kia Borrego just as good as well.
The Borrego, as 1SICK says, is a nice machine indeed (I reviewed one several months ago) had seems to use quality materials, but it has not been on the market long enough to have a reliability record. it is also quite big and trucklike.....it may (?) be slightly larger than what you are looking for.
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I was able to check out the Q5 at the Chicago Auto Show today. Styling-wise IMO it is much better than the GLK. The interior is nice too. There was much more interest in the Q5 than the GLK, but it has been out for a short time now. Lots of interest too in the '10 RX, even more than the Audi.
mmarshall, no 2010 Legacy's or Outback's at the show, all were '09's.
#34
Lexus Fanatic
VW, another German company, has also entered the picture with the the Touraeg and Tiguan. The Tiguan is smaller and costs less than the X3/GLK/Q5 trio, but the Touraeg fits right in with them, price-wise.....and the Touraeg, unlike the rest of them, is a dedicated off-roader as well, despite having unibody construcion. Can't put the Touraeg's brother, the Porsche Cayenne, though, in this group.....it costs too much.
The Touraeg is grossly overweight and has the poor gas mileage and high sticker price so it won't compete directly. I agree the Cayenne is overpriced and it's over-engineered/over-weight/badge-engineering at its best.
The Germans are carefully picking the size/weight/price/power of these X3/GLK/Q5's and they are tightly grouped, just look at how close they are, amazing. This will be an interesting sales battle.
#35
Lexus Champion
Tiguan is downscale considerably from the GLK/X3/Q5 class of vehicles, VW can only hope to compete here (against GLK/X3/Q5) with it.
The Touraeg is grossly overweight and has the poor gas mileage and high sticker price so it won't compete directly. I agree the Cayenne is overpriced and it's over-engineered/over-weight/badge-engineering at its best.
The Germans are carefully picking the size/weight/price/power of these X3/GLK/Q5's and they are tightly grouped, just look at how close they are, amazing. This will be an interesting sales battle.
The Touraeg is grossly overweight and has the poor gas mileage and high sticker price so it won't compete directly. I agree the Cayenne is overpriced and it's over-engineered/over-weight/badge-engineering at its best.
The Germans are carefully picking the size/weight/price/power of these X3/GLK/Q5's and they are tightly grouped, just look at how close they are, amazing. This will be an interesting sales battle.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It can go places off-road that you wouldn't dream of taking a Q5 or X3.
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I'd also like to point out that unless one really needs or wants the extra ground clearance of self-defined SUVs like the Q5/Q7, X3/X5, etc.... for deep snow or mud, purchase money (and maybe some gas mileage) can be often saved with regular AWD wagons like like the A3, A4 Avant, Subaru wagons, Ford Taurus X, Volvo XC70, etc....or even AWD sedans if you don't need the extra space in back. With their lower centers-of-gravity, they also tend to handle somewhat better.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-17-09 at 06:52 PM.
#39
[QUOTE=mmarshall;4260209]Thanks. Though it is a little too monotone for my tastes, the Q5's interior is anything BUT "utility". It is typical Audi first-rate trim and fit-finish inside.
QUOTE]
Q5 has a very girlish look. that's my opinion..
QUOTE]
Q5 has a very girlish look. that's my opinion..
#40
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by kpmg2007
Q5 has a very girlish look. that's my opinion..
People should normally just buy and drive what fits their needs and what they can afford, instead of concerning themselves what kind of "image" it has. "Image" often forces car-buyers into more of an effort to cater to what others think or trying to keep up with the Jonses than of simply getting the vehicle that is best for their needs. That's what prevents many families, for example, from buying minivans, when minivans would fill their needs better than any other type of vehicle.
#42
[QUOTE=mmarshall;4263961]
Your opinion is respected here......but what makes it so "girlish", in your view?
People should normally just buy and drive what fits their needs and what they can afford, instead of thinking what kind of "image" it has. "Image" often forces car-buyers into more of an effort to cater to what others think or trying to keep up with the Jonses than of simply getting the vehicle that is best for their needs. That's what prevents many families, for example, from buying minivans when minivans would fill their needs better than any other type of vehicle.
those small LED lights in the headlights looks very flashy. It reminds me Mascara used by woman. but that' my persional opinion. you see, I prefer GLK than Q5 in terms of exterior.
and YOu are right in your argument...
Your opinion is respected here......but what makes it so "girlish", in your view?
People should normally just buy and drive what fits their needs and what they can afford, instead of thinking what kind of "image" it has. "Image" often forces car-buyers into more of an effort to cater to what others think or trying to keep up with the Jonses than of simply getting the vehicle that is best for their needs. That's what prevents many families, for example, from buying minivans when minivans would fill their needs better than any other type of vehicle.
and YOu are right in your argument...
Last edited by kpmg2007; 02-17-09 at 07:07 PM.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
GLK certainly looks bigger because of its upright/angular/truck-like SUV lines. The 20 inch wheels and big tires are a sneaky way to give any vehicle a concept car kind of look. I'm still up in the air on which one looks best, but I'm leaning in favor of the Audi if based on looks alone....
#44
Lexus Champion
GLK certainly looks bigger because of its upright/angular/truck-like SUV lines. The 20 inch wheels and big tires are a sneaky way to give any vehicle a concept car kind of look. I'm still up in the air on which one looks best, but I'm leaning in favor of the Audi if based on looks alone....
IMO, it is one of the worst offerings that I have seen from a Tier 1 brand. It is clearly a half azzed attempt at getting into the small sport ute game.
I know looks are subjective, but again, imo, this vehicle is Aztek ugly.
The interior is spartan, bordering on cheap and the ride is ridiculously bad for a Benz. I drove the X3, immediately after the GLK (and ML Bluetec) and was far more impressed with the X3.
#45
Lexus Fanatic
While I have only seen the Q5 in pictures to this point. I was considering the GLK from reading online reviews and specs....and then I saw it in person and drove it.
IMO, it is one of the worst offerings that I have seen from a Tier 1 brand. It is clearly a half azzed attempt at getting into the small sport ute game.
I know looks are subjective, but again, imo, this vehicle is Aztek ugly.
The interior is spartan, bordering on cheap and the ride is ridiculously bad for a Benz. I drove the X3, immediately after the GLK (and ML Bluetec) and was far more impressed with the X3.
IMO, it is one of the worst offerings that I have seen from a Tier 1 brand. It is clearly a half azzed attempt at getting into the small sport ute game.
I know looks are subjective, but again, imo, this vehicle is Aztek ugly.
The interior is spartan, bordering on cheap and the ride is ridiculously bad for a Benz. I drove the X3, immediately after the GLK (and ML Bluetec) and was far more impressed with the X3.
It remains to be seen if the sale volume of these competing small SUV's will be very impressive.