2009 Audi Q5: 2008 Beijing Auto Show
One of the most anticipated introductions at the show was the 2009 Audi Q5 SUV. Instead of a full-blown press conference, however, Audi just put a couple of Q5s out on the show floor and let the vehicles speak for themselves. After taking a closer look, they should’ve made a bigger effort.
Maybe it was the colors or the chrome wheels of the main display model, but the Q5 looks too anonymous in person, especially for a company that’s trying to re-create itself as the anti-establishment luxury brand. There’s not a memorable line on it from the front, and the only notable styling feature in back are the big LED taillights.
There’s nothing wrong with the interior, as it’s basically borrowed straight from the
new A4 sedan and wagon. Passenger room is about average and the cargo area is a useful size. With Audi’s 3.2-liter V6 under the hood, the Q5 should have reasonable performance, too. In other words, nothing unexpected here, and nothing very exciting either.
-- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
- Permalink | Comments (8)
- Posted by: Ed Hellwig April 20, 2008, 2:37 PM
- Categories: Audi, Beijing Auto Show, SUVs
I like the Forester-like stance and the interior is leaps and bounds ahead of the Mercedes GLK.
The white sure doesn't do anything for it, though.
I never though I'd say this, but the X3 looks better than both of these things.
I think the rear end design is totally odd. The flat surface for the lisence plaate is so huge that it is out of proportion. Audi used to make nice rear end design but has failed horribly in the past 3-4 years except for the TT.
I don't hate it, but I'm not exactly thrilled either. Audi set the standard pretty high for itself with the A5/S5, which I suppose makes this crossover all the more disappointing. Still, I like it more than the X3. Forgive the sacrilege.
Good job Audi, recycling the same interior that's in all your other cars.
Are you sure this isn't some Chinese knock-off of an RDX??? Especially the side profile and back. Hopefully Cadillac & Saab will finally bring a decent looking AND decent performing vehicle to this segment. And why would Audi bother to change the interior? It's not like someone's goint to buy one of each and get tired of seeing it all the time in different cars or something.
Looks like the bottom half of the rear hatch broke off.
The rest is fairly anonymous. They didn't try very hard here.
Interior looks great.
"And why would Audi bother to change the interior?
Why not? Every other car manufacturer doesnt have too much trouble differentiating the interiors. My point is this style is old, and instead of designing a new one Audi just slaps it into every vehicle.