Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Audi
LA 2008: 2009 Audi Q5 makes its North American debut
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi Q5
Although we've already seen the Audi Q5 in a variety of forms after its initial unveiling in Beijing this past July, the four-ringers decided to finally show off their cute 'ute in North America for the first time at the LA Auto Show. The compact(ish) CUV is packing the award-winning 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline engine putting out 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through the seven-speed, dual-clutch S tronic transmission, and Audi is quick to point out that with a drag coefficient of just 0.33 and a turbocharged four, the Q5 will be one of the most fuel-efficient offerings in its class. Check the galleries below for more and see our previous post for all the details.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
homunculus 6:38PM (11/21/2008)
just like the tiguan, the front is good but the back comes up short
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Sherief 6:48PM (11/21/2008)
"the front is good but the back comes up short"
Are we talking about cars or the 'booth professionals'?
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Torrent 6:57PM (11/21/2008)
The rear reminds me of a Veracruz..
The Front, is nice, though.
The Verdict: I'd still take an A4 Avant. They are teh hawtness.
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Torrent 6:58PM (11/21/2008)
I put one too many commas. Can you spot it? lol
zamafir 7:08PM (11/21/2008)
They're both right next to each other at the show which makes comparing the two pretty easy. I like the A4, esp the Avant, it's just so damn big now, where as the Q5 is shorter and a bit taller. If audi bring it over with the 3.0TDi currently nestled under it's bonnet at the LA Show I'll be replacing the hybrid camry with it.
Randy915 8:13PM (11/21/2008)
It's the best looking in its segment, bar none.
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Tony 9:34PM (11/21/2008)
i saw in mexico in september and did like it. Wife likes it too so i guess is a wrap :)
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RockStoneSteel 9:39PM (11/21/2008)
This is exactly what we are needing in the US. An SUV that is more like a tall sedan and with the convenience of a hatch. This and the Tiguan should sell fantastic if they market them correctly.
I'm just hoping they have plenty of backseat legroom and don't try to squeeze in a third row of seats. Better yet in these vehicles would be a sliding rear seat that gives a choice of more legroom or more cargo room. The Honda CRV offered something like that but failed miserably because it only offered a choice of less legroom or significantly less legroom.
Anyway, Audi has never offered anything I would really consider, but I would consider this. I would also consider a 3 door A3 hatch if they offered it here in the states.
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zamafir 9:53PM (11/21/2008)
Audi confirmed some time ago the car will be sold here, there will be no 3rd row as there is no room, rear seat leg room is adequate due to the up right seating position of the seats.
AudiLex 9:58AM (11/22/2008)
Audi has confirmed that the car will have sliding rear seats, which will travel up to 4".
Jeff Fields 10:48PM (11/21/2008)
UMMM Did Anyone else notice that it says 3.2 on the trunklid of the showcar and if I remember correctly Audi stated that only the 3,2 is coming to the states???
Audi should offer the new Supercharged 3.0 variant of the V6 with 300bhp or even better the S4's 330bhp. With 28mpg and performance just under 5 flat to 60mph - Now that would make it a hot seller...
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zamafir 1:58AM (11/22/2008)
Audi's confirmed the 2.0T for North America. The Q5s at the show have 3.2 TDI's. I wouldn't be surprised to see them offer the Q5 in the 3.2 TDI though, the engines already slated for several north american audis and at close to 40mpg wouldn't be a difficult sell, especially if priced below the Touareg.
Paul 2:32AM (11/22/2008)
Yes, it is clearly the 3.2 liter V6. I'm pretty sure that the post author is incorrect. Audi clearly states on the US Q5 teaser site that it comes only in the 3.2 (http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_Q5.html). I even wrote them an e-mail and got (semi-)confirmation on this a few months back. This means of course that the fuel economy will take a hit vs. the base Euro model, and that's a shame.
I'm of the opposite opinion on the engine. Sure, I'm for options and a QS5 (or whatever) would be nice (though I'm not sure many would buy it--if you're into power and driving dynamics, why on earth a QS5 over an S4 Avant?!?), but I'm for having the 2.0 in the base and going up from there.
Knowing that the A4 3.2 Quattro gets 17/26, we can be pretty sure that this won't get any better. It MAY still end up class leading (compared to Acura MDX, Highlander 4WD, and Lexus RX 4WD) by 1 MPG or so combined, but still won't draw a crowd based on economy. Fairly good looking, yes, and doubtless it'll be a fine driving vehicle, but it's nothing extraordinary in a crowded and flailing cute-ute marketplace.
That said, I had the 2.0 in an A3 for 3 years and was never impressed with the city mileage. With AC and gadgetry, the 2.0 A3 really struggled to get 22 MPG in the city with a (fairly) light foot. I'm driving a V6 Lexus GS300 now that gets the same real-world mileage (slightly less HWY), which is 3 MPG better than EPA. Perhaps the real-world city numbers on this V6 will be better, as well. If so, then 20/26'ish wouldn't be terrible--competitive with the CR-V even, but I'll believe it when I see it (well hear about it)...
Paul 2:38AM (11/22/2008)
@zamafir: Really?!? Did they issue a press release on this? If this is true, then I'm impressed! Very unlike them, but cool if so. I'd be very surprised to see the 3.2 TDI anytime soon, but obviously I'm surprised to see this in the 2.0...
AudiLex 10:18AM (11/22/2008)
A few things:
There is no such thing as a 3.2 TDI- the 3.2 you see is a gas engine.
The Q5 will not receive a TDI until the 2010 model year at earliest, likely 2011. When it comes, it will likely be the 3.0TDI, so don't expect show-stopping fuel-efficiency.
Audi has hinted at, but not confirmed, the 2.0T for North America, and it will not be offered for 2009 in any case.
P.V. 12:09PM (11/22/2008)
Superb vehicle, but I would rather take an A4 Avant.
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fixitfixitstop 12:32PM (11/22/2008)
Same here. Wagons for the win!
Ahmad 5:30PM (11/23/2008)
I saw one of these back in May in Florida. I was on a highway back to my house when I saw one going the opposite direction. I guess it was a prototype or something.
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freckles 2:22PM (11/22/2008)
i agree with you. there's a certain stretch of I-275 heading north were there's always some new audi or vw heading in the opposite direction; probably heading towards Reeves Import
ASEVENSEE4 8:03PM (11/23/2008)
Well I WANT the 2.0T! It would make sense seeing how other Audi's have them as base engines and the V6 is an upgrade.
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