Presented by Olympic Auto Sales,
Atlanta’s premier Luxury Buy Here Pay Here Dealership.
The Q5 hasn't been shy about its roots in Audi's sedan lineup—it's loosely based on the last-generation A4—and we consider that to be one of its better qualities. In 2014, the Q5 was updated slightly with a reshaped grille, LED taillights, and slimmer headlights, but for the most part Audi designers left alone the car-like curves and drama-free exterior.
The Q5 has a customary Audi cockpit. It's nicely detailed, well-executed, and fitted with lovely materials. The driver and passenger areas are separated by a wide console, but it doesn't feel like it confines passengers at all.
The base 2.0-liter inline-4 is a perky powertrain that makes the most of its 220 horsepower. While the Q5 tips the scales at about 4,100 pounds in base trim, the turbo-4 actually handles the mass fairly well. The turbo isn't laggy, and 0-60 mph runs come and go in about 7 seconds. We'd consider even base models of the Q5 to be worthy of a luxury badge.
Audi's 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 sits above the smaller engine, and for the Q5 this year, is tops on the powertrain lineup. It turns out 272 hp and shaves a second from the compact crossover's sprint up to 60 mph. We imagine that most buyers will opt for this powertrain and won't be dissuaded by the lower gas mileage returns or the relative heft it adds to overall weight (about 250 pounds). It should be noted that while the 50 extra horsepower is certainly welcome, it's not exponentially more powerful than the base engine offering.
From the front, the driver and front passenger have a good view of the road with comfortable thrones as standard. Add heating or ventilation to the front seats and they firm up just a little, but not too much. The tilt/telescoping wheel helps a wide range of drivers find an excellent driving position.
Inside, the Q5 delivers a bright, richly finished cockpit with a fine eye to details and to choices for interior trim. The build quality has been uniformly excellent in the most recent few examples we've driven, and although road noise is more present in 4-cylinder models, the Q5 carries itself with the refined feel that comes from a tight body structure.
The back seat has enough leg room for most adults, thanks to a long wheelbase. The rear seat slides on a track and reclines for better touring comfort, or folds forward for more cargo space.
*This vehicle is Certified Pre-Owned and is eligible for our third party warranty program.