2010 Audi Q5

Q5 is a ‘tweener; an upscale crossover parked just north of sport wagon and well south of SUV. Introduced to the lineup in 2009, it returns for its sophomore year in a segment with a handful of refinements, sprinkled across a three-level lineup: Premium ($38,175), Premium Plus ($42,225) and Prestige ($49,675).

Style and Function

At the heart of the company’s second crossover is a stiff, modular chassis, fitted with standard, quattro all-wheel drive. Audi claims that the (110.5-inch) wheelbase is the longest in its segment, and that length certainly is a factor in the car’s smooth road ride. Handling in the new Q5 is a tale of two choices. The standard, fully independent suspension provides a supple, trip-rated ride, and confident, stable handling. Its road manners should please the majority of buyers in the luxury crossover segment, particularly those who are downsizing out of larger SUVs or crossovers. However, for those being dragged kicking and screaming from their sport sedans, there’s another side to the Q5’s personality—if you check the Drive Select option ($2,950).


Drive Select allows you to choose from Comfort, Auto or Dynamic settings. Each of these corresponds to specific programming of steering, shock absorber stiffness, throttle response, and transmission shift points. Auto is the most balanced of the settings, and parallels the feel of the Q5’s stock, suspension setup. The Comfort setting emphasizes its namesake. Dynamic is the choice that’s most endearing to those facing Sport Sedan Withdrawal Syndrome. With longer gear holds, quicker throttle response, sharper steering feel and a stiffer suspension, the dynamic mode makes the two-ton plus Q5 feel nimble for its size, an enjoyably sporty drive. Changing between modes is a simple matter of selecting the appropriate, dash-mounted arrow key.

Comfort and Handling

The quattro AWD system adds enough off-road prowess to satisfy all but the hardcore. Angles of approach and departure are 25 degrees, and the breakover angle is 17.6 degrees. The Audi Q5 will tackle grades of up to 31 degrees, and has a maximum wading depth of 19.7 inches. More relevant for the majority of buyers will be quattro’s appetite for foul weather driving. The standard power split under normal conditions is 40 percent front, 60 percent rear. Particularly for Drive Select-equipped cars, this slight, rear-wheel bias mirrors the traditional feel of performance cars. When road conditions deteriorate, quattro can shift as much as 65 percent of the power to the front axle, or 85 percent to the rear as needed to maximize grip.


In all but the most extreme conditions, the Q5 cossets the passengers with a smooth ride. The quiet cabin reflects Audi’s typical interior: well dressed, with exceptional fit and finish. Quality of materials, from the standard leather trim to the dashboard plastics, is first rate, and it’s especially appealing in lighter shades. New to the option sheet for 2010 is Ash wood trim and ventilated front seats. Both front cabin seats offer dual, eight-way power adjustments, with four-way lumbar support. The 60/40-split rear seat has a pass-though for long items, and folds to a nearly flat load floor, with handy, secondary releases in the cargo bay. There’s almost four inches of travel in the rear seats, however, another inch stolen from the cargo area would be welcome for additional legroom. Inboard storage spots are many in number and small in size. Cargo capacity ranges from a generous, 29.1 cubic feet to 57.3 cubic feet, with rear seats folded. Liftover height in back is comfortably low.

Performance In and Out

Expectations in this segment are high when it comes to comfort/entertainment/information technology, and the 2010 Audi Q5 doesn’t disappoint. Many luxury level options are collected in the top-shelf, Prestige model. Among the high-tech highlights of Prestige equipped Q5s are an aptly named panorama sunroof, Xenon headlights, power tailgate, heated seats, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, a 14-speaker, 505-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system, parking system with rearview camera and a navigation system with Multi Media Interface.