I saw a Q5 that just arrived at a dealer. First impressions are: I like the exterior styling... much much much better than the new MB small ute and the X3. Better proportioned than the Q7. Interior styling - again, very nice! Only dissapointment was rear seat space - it's OK but doesn't give you the impression that you're in a SUV/crossover. Price... starting price is OK, but with options easily gets close to 45K+, which is a lot of money.

I saw one yesterday at the midtown tunnel in Queens approaching Manhattan in Ice Silver.

significantly more appealing to the eye than the q7 (imho). proportions are nice, and it has a nice sporty/muscular look.

since i was out shopping for a larger car (b5s4/a4 not cutting it with a 2yo son), the rear seat room was of chief importance. here, i was really disappointed. the combination of the lack of movable rear seat, luxury seating surface, and large rear seatback of the front passenger seat left probably the least amount of room compared to b8 a4 and c6 a6.

it was less room than the *much* cheaper tiguan, which I drove about an hour later. sure, not the same ride, but for a little more than half the price (q5 sticker was >$42k, can't remember the tig), it was pretty compelling.

i'll have to take a q5 out sometime, but as i'm a used car kind of guy, it won't be for a few years that I find myself in one.

Why wasn't the rear seat moveable? I thought all U.S. spec trim levels had rear seats that move ~4 inches fore and aft.