2011 Audi Q5: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Audi Q5 lineup expands to include a new lower-price 4-cylinder model. This 5-passenger premium-compact SUV has Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. New for 2011 is the base 2.0T, which has a 211-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine borrowed from the Audi A4. Now at the top of the Q5 lineup is the 3.2, which has a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine. The 4-cylinder pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission while the V6 uses a 6-speed automatic. The AWD system splits torque 40/60 front/rear, and has the ability to shift as much as 65 percent to the front and 85 percent to the rear as driving conditions warrant. Maximum towing capacity is 4,400 pounds. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-and rear-side airbags. Available features include Audi's MMI (Multi Media Interface) system, which uses a dashboard screen and control knob to control audio, navigation, suspension, and other functions. Other available features include three-zone climate control, a navigation system with real-time traffic information, keyless entry/engine start, a rearview camera, blind-spot alert, a power tailgate, and a wireless cell-phone link. Optional is Audi Drive Select, which allows for driver control of engine, transmission, steering, and suspension settings.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium-Compact SUVs are luxury SUVs that are compact in size. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. This segment is one of the industry's fastest-growing categories. Our Best Buy in this class is the Audi Q5. Our Recommended picks are the Infiniti EX35 and Volvo XC60. New or significantly redesigned models for 2011 include the BMW X3.