...but did not test drive. I wanted to get an idea of the interior and size of the Q5 -which in this particular case was a Premium Plus model.

The Q5 in real life was surprisingly low to the ground and very wide. The interior quality fit and finish was very very good. My wife and I liked the cargo space area but the rear seats would be a tight fit for adults. My wife liked the Premium Plus' upgraded center console with controls. The panorama sunroof was a huge hit. My wife liked the sleek rails on top and I told her about the sensors built into them- since we like to haul mountain bikes this would be a good idea.

The Q5 seems like a tight package. But the 3.2L for me is a deal-killer. Audi would have had a sell on the books right then and there TODAY if only the 3.0L TDI was here, but evidently I guess they feel the 3.2L will be good enough for now. BTW, New Country Audi was really hopping today.

I don't think two or even three mountain bikes are going to shift the load of the Q5 enough to justify severe ESP compensation. Not enough weight.

waiting for it to arrive.

In fact, it's pretty zippy and extremely smooth. Mileage is only passable around town, but my guess is you could do much better than the claimed 23mpg highway in real world driving.

'My wife and I liked the cargo space area but the rear seats would be a tight fit for adults'. From the website, the rear seats slide fore and aft. Did you check out that adjustment?

if they would tell me wife not to plow the bikes into the mall underground parking, this would be practical use of rail sensor tech.

just because you have load bars on seems a bit much.

I am not looking to make anyone envious but I have just test driven and ordered a 3.0 TDi. Is it not the case that the 3.0 TDi may well appear on the other side of the pond sometime in the future?

500 Nm of torque + S-tronic box + Drive Select = a truly incredible machine with capabilities well beyond the sum of its parts.

I have driven an A5 and a Q7 with the 3.0 TDi. A5 IMHO feels too peaky with this engine and Q7 was (I felt) a much better application but not as quick as i'd like. The Q5 simply takes the 3.0 TDi experience to another level. Truly usable performance.

If I was in the US and I had tested this car while visiting Europe or something I would simply wait, no question.

Now all the d-bags with empty turned down ski racks, or bike fairing w/o bike attachments finally have a reason to keep them on year round.

I thought that fad had died.

FWIW, I often carry heavy stuff on top of the wagon, always have. I can see the benefit...just giving heat because the engineering tends to be geared towards the (hopefully) rare or never used safety feature event.

Try lightening the cars guys... that would have a handling benefit too.

I know "you would care if it were your family" yadda-yadda...

DD

bring the S4 avant...