2011 Audi Q5 Features & Specs

 

What's New for 2011

The 2011 Audi Q5 gets a new base engine, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in many other Audi models. Also new is the eight-speed automatic transmission that is also standard equipment. Meanwhile, the 3.2 model gains standard S Line exterior trim and 19-inch wheels, while adaptive headlights are now included on the Prestige trim. The six-disc CD changer has been discontinued.

Introduction

Luxury cars have seldom been known for their high fuel economy, and SUVs have also never been known for being frugal with gas. Put the two together and you have a recipe for fuel consumption that would make an oil executive put a down payment on a second yacht. Bucking this trend, though, is the 2011 Audi Q5. Notable this year for the Q5 is a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers only a couple mpg less on the EPA driving cycles than the Audi A4 Avant wagon. Even the Q5 with its available, more powerful V6 is pretty good on gas.
Yet fuel economy is only one of the Q5's many virtues. Thanks to its underpinnings from the Audi A4 sedan, the Q5 is one of the most entertaining vehicles to drive in the segment of luxury crossovers. It has the confident handling and alert responses of the A4, yet the Q5's decent cargo hold and generous passenger space mean it's pretty comfortable and practical, too. Indeed, its family-friendly sliding rear seat is the only one of its kind among luxury crossovers of this size.
The Q5's biggest downside is its price, which can end up thousands of dollars more than what you'd pay for some other competitors once you order all the familiar options. The Volvo XC60 is a bit bigger than the Audi and offers a few extra features that are useful for families. The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is a bit smaller, but has a cheaper base price and a more solid feel to it. The BMW X3 has been redesigned for 2011 and will likely be the athlete of the class, while the new, surprisingly luxurious Jeep Grand Cherokee should appeal to those who plan on venturing off the beaten path every now and then.
Certainly you're not going to go wrong with any of these choices. But considering the 2011 Audi Q5's well-rounded virtues as well as above-average fuel economy, we think this vehicle will suit luxury crossover shoppers quite nicely indeed.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Audi Q5 is a compact luxury crossover available in four trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.2 Premium Plus and 3.2 Prestige.
Standard equipment on the 2.0T Premium includes 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, roof rails, eight-way power front seats with adjustable lumbar, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 rear seat, a dash-mounted Multi Media Interface (MMI) and a 10-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. Options on the Premium include a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and Bluetooth. These items are included on the 2.0T Premium Plus, which also gets xenon headlights, LED running lights, a power tailgate, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors, an auto-dimming interior mirror and an iPod interface. Nineteen-inch wheels are optional.
Step up to the 3.2 Premium Plus for a V6 engine, 19-inch wheels, headlight washers and S Line exterior trim. The top-shelf 3.2 Prestige adds adaptive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, keyless ignition/entry, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and the Audi MMI Navigation Plus package (navigation system, digital music storage, voice controls, rearview camera, HD radio, CD/DVD player and center-console-mounted MMI system).
The 3.2 Prestige can also be equipped with Audi Drive Select (four settings alter throttle response, transmission shift points and steering assist), adaptive cruise control and the Luxury package (ventilated front seats and upgraded leather). Both 3.2 models can be equipped with 20-inch wheels and the S Line package, which adds different 20-inch wheels, performance tires, a sport steering wheel, shift paddles and brushed aluminum trim.
All but the 2.0T Premium can be equipped with the MMI Navigation Plus package and the Bang & Olufsen stereo.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2011 Audi Q5 2.0T comes standard with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine good for 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.
The Audi Q5 3.2 gets a 3.2-liter V6 that produces 270 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard. In Edmunds performance testing, a Q5 3.2 accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, a performance on par with the Audi's peers. Estimated fuel economy stands at 18/23/20, which is tops among similarly powered all-wheel-drive crossovers. Towing capacity with the 3.2 is above average, with a 4,400-pound rating when properly equipped.

Safety

The 2011 Audi Q5 comes standard with stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are optional on all models, while a blind-spot warning system is standard on the 3.2 Prestige.
In government crash tests, the Q5 achieved perfect five-star ratings for frontal and side impacts. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Q5 was likewise awarded the highest rating of "Good" in frontal-offset and side crash tests. In Edmunds braking testing, the Q5 came to a stop in 123 feet, a competitive performance.

Interior Design and Special Features

Like other Audis, the Q5 benefits from classy interior design and top-notch construction.
The center stack controls are canted toward the driver, although the layout depends on whether or not you opt for the navigation system. Without navigation, the knob and buttons for the MMI system reside on the center stack, and the resulting procedure for using the stereo is not intuitive. With navigation, though, the controls migrate aft of the shift lever, where they fall more readily to hand. Navigation-equipped models also get the latest, third-generation MMI system with revised menus and an additional joystick button for enhanced control.
Despite its compact size, the Q5 manages to feel roomy whether you're seated in the front or rear. The rear seats slide fore and aft, which is a rarity in this segment of luxury crossovers, and the seats also recline for greater comfort. Folding the rear seats down creates 57 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, which is a little below average for this segment.

Driving Impressions

Though we have yet to drive the 2011 Audi Q5 with its new turbocharged inline-4 engine, we've had good experiences with this engine. The Q5's acceleration will likely seem relatively slow, but this torque-rich mill has surprising low-end punch and should return impressive fuel economy as well.
The Q5's 3.2-liter V6 delivers smooth, powerful acceleration, and the six-speed automatic is also refined and responsive. With it, the Q5 matches European rivals like the X3, GLK350 and XC60 in terms of acceleration, though the Japanese Infiniti EX35 has more punch.
Regardless of engine, the Q5's ride quality is firmer than the norm for this class of vehicle, but we've never found it to be harsh. In terms of handling, the 2011 Q5 is one of the sportiest crossovers on the market. One downside, though, is that the electric power steering has both a consistently artificial feel and an odd tendency to weight up suddenly at low speeds.
We would skip the optional Audi Drive Select system as it's pricey and complicated; the car's standard setup is just fine.

Colors

Exterior

Interior

Exterior

Tires and Wheels

• Alloy wheels
• 18 x 8.0 in. wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• 235/60R18 tires
• All season tires
• Inside mounted spare tire
• Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

• Intermittent wipers
• Privacy glass
• Rear defogger
• Rear window wiper
• Roof rack

Doors

• Fixed lifgate window
• Rear liftgate door

Towing and Hauling

• Cargo tie downs

Measurements

• Width: 74.0 in.
• Height: 65.1 in.
• Length: 182.2 in.
• Ground clearance: 7.9 in.
• Front track: 63.7 in.
• Rear track: 63.5 in.
• Wheel base: 110.5 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 29.1 cu.ft.
• Maximum cargo capacity: 57.3 cu.ft.

• Maximum towing capacity: 4400 lbs.**
• Drag Coefficient: 0.33 Cd
• Curb weight: 4090 lbs.
• Angle of approach: 25.0 degrees
• Angle of departure: 25.0 degrees

Exterior Options

• Exhaust Tips
• Delete-Panorama Sunroof
• Wheel Locks
• Q5 Tow Hitch For Vehicles w/out Side Assist
• Front Grille Filler Panel
• Running Boards/Jack
• Front License Plate Holder
• 19" Five-Arm Wheels w/All-Season Tires
• Panorama Sunroof

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

• Base engine size: 2.0 L
• Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Cylinders: inline 4
• Valves: 16
• Valve timing: Variable
• Direct injection
• Torque: 258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm
• Horsepower: 211 hp @ 4300 rpm
• Turning circle: 38.1 ft.

• Base engine type: gas

DriveTrain

• Drive type: all wheel drive
• Mechanical center differential
• Descent control
• Transmission: 8-speed shiftable automatic
• Center limited slip differential
• Brake hill holder

Suspension

• Multi-link front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

• Fuel type: gas
• Fuel type: premium unleaded (required)
• Fuel tank capacity: 19.8 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 396.0/534.6 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 20/27 mpg

Safety

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Remote anti-theft alarm system
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Front fog/driving lights
• Auto delay off headlamps
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Turn signal mirrors
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Post-collision safety system
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Emergency braking preparation
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring
• Brake drying

Safety & Security Options

• Rear Side Airbags

Warranty

• Basic: 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
• Drivetrain: 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
• Free Maintenance: 1 yr./ 5000 mi.

Interior

Front Seats

• Front head room: 39.4 in.
• Front leg room: 41.0 in.
• Front shoulder room: 57.7 in.
• 8 -way power passenger seat
• 8 -way power driver seat
• Passenger seat with power adjustable lumbar support
• Driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Height adjustable passenger seat
• Leather
• Fold flat passenger seat
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear head room: 39.0 in.
• Rear leg room: 37.4 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 56.4 in.
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Reclining rear seats
• Folding with storage and pass-thru center armrest
• Rear ventilation ducts with fan control

Power Features

• Remote power door locks
• Power mirrors
• Heated mirrors
• 4 one-touch power windows

Convenience

• Cruise control
• Front console with storage
• Front and rear cupholders
• Front and rear door pockets
• Overhead console with storage
• Retained accessory power
• Front seatback storage
• Speed-proportional power steering
• 12V front and 12V rear power outlet(s)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio controls on steering wheel

Comfort

• Three zone climate control
• Cargo area light
• Alloy and wood trim on center console
• Alloy and wood trim on dash
• Alloy and wood trim on doors
• Front and rear reading lights
• Alloy and leather trim on shift knob
• Leather steering wheel
• Front, rear and cargo floor mats
• Turn signal in mirrors
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Instrumentation

• Clock
• Tachometer
• Trip computer
• External temperature display
• Low fuel level warning

In Car Entertainment

• 10 total speakers
• 180 watts stereo output
• AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo
• Sirius satellite radio
• Speed sensitive volume control
• Auxiliary MP3 audio input
• 1 subwoofer(s)
• 3 Months of provided satellite radio service
• Memory card slot
• Radio data system

Telematics

• Pre-wired for phone

Interior Options

• Cargo Beach Mat
• Bang & Olufsen Sound System
• All Weather Floor Mats and Trunk Liner
• Heated Front Seats
• Cargo Beach Mat
• Audi Music Interface w/iPod Cable

Packages

• Preparation For Mobile Phone (Bluetooth) and Garage Door Opener (Homelink) Package
• Premium Plus Package
• Audi MMI Navigation Plus Package