2009 Audi Q5 Quality Review

The 2009 Q5 is a long vehicle offering a comfortable, roomy cabin and cargo hold for well-heeled buyers.

“Of all its competition,” says Edmunds, “the 2009 Audi Q5's 110.5-inch wheelbase is the longest, which helps maximize interior passenger volume. Indeed, the Q5 affords 101.5 cubic feet of living space, with 29.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second seat and 67.3 cubic feet with the second seat folded.” Motor Trend agrees that the Q5’s size is largely responsible for its comfort. “The Q5 sits on a best-in-segment 9.22-ft wheelbase, a major contributor to the Q5's luxurious ride.”

Front and rear seats meet with general approval. ConsumerGuide says the Q5 offers “Cushy, supportive front seats feature standard 12-way power adjustments for increased comfort. Tilting and sliding 60/40 rear seats ease entry and exit and passenger comfort.” Car and Driver wishes that “the front seats would tilt rearward a bit more and offer more thigh support, but the driving position is still commendable. Back-seat occupants will find a split folding bench that moves forward or backward to increase legroom; there is also a reclining backrest.” The MotherProof reviewer is most impressed: “I sunk into the heated leather driver’s seat and easily found my perfect driving position, thanks to the eight-way power adjustments with four-way lumbar support. The steering wheel both tilts and telescopes and has controls for Bluetooth and the audio system.” About the rear seats, MotherProof observes, “There’s some minimal bolstering on the seats, but the bench is mostly flat, so installing rear-facing infant seats, child-safety seats and booster seats is super easy. Audi’s famous, fabulous Latch connectors are right out in the open, no digging required.”

The size of the vehicle also helps provide ample storage space. ConsumerGuide points out the “Q5 has a wide-mouthed hatch and fairly low floor to ease cargo loading.” However, “small items storage is just OK and is comprised of a few cupholders, a smallish center console, a decent-sized glovebox, and removable underfloor bins behind the second row.” And MotherProof contends, “The cargo space is roomy and flat, and comes with a hard, removable cargo cover. I loved it because it not only kept my stuff out of view and out of the sun, but it kept my kids from climbing over the rear seat and wreaking havoc on everything in the cargo area.”

The quality of the Q5 is standard Audi: impeccable. Edmunds says, “As always, the aesthetic experience is wonderful, as the combination of high-quality, soft-touch materials, design architecture that doesn't try to visually intimidate you, and a sound driving position really set any Audi apart from the competition.”

ConsumerGuide advises to keep things quiet, remove the rooftop crossbars: “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.”