Hello folks,
I have been religiously driving my Honda Accord for the past 6 years and it has been a big part of my life so far. Bought the car (2001 model) as soon as I got my Masters in 2004. Anyway, it is time for an upgrade. I have read the Q5 vs RDX comparisons all over the forum but I have a question - I test drove the Q5 this evening and loved the way the car looked from the outside!(absolutely totally loved it!). But while we were driving on a bumpy road I could feel the road and the bumps while I am in the car. Isn't driving a luxury car all about not feeling those bumps and having a comfortable ride? I am *not* trying to compare the ride to RDX (I am going to test drive it tomorrow) but I am curious to know your thoughts since the Audi salesperson said "all SUVs make you feel that way except Lexus, the car is just an extension of you etc". What do you think?
Also, I saw the 2010 RDX yesterday (didn't drive it though) and I do agree with the comments of it being "plasticky" but have to tell you the interior features add quite a bit of "coolness" - bunch of really useful stuff comes in as standard with tech package. I definitely want to have navi in my car and for a 2010 Audi that takes me to at least 45K with 36K for RDX. I felt the RDX navi screen to be a bit bigger or am I mistaken? And is RDX navi package better? The big Audi moon-roof is plain awesome! Still torn if the 7K-8K more is worth it!!! aye aye ..these tough choices in life!

Ride harshness is about the same in the RDX and Q5. However, you'll get MUCH more road noise in the RDX. I think the extra $$ is worth spending on the Q5, as you get bigger (better) engine, more cylinders, better transmission, better AWD system, and the list goes on. Besides, what's cooler than the LED daytime running lights?

Thanks for your response Princeton. I will let folks here know what I find after I drive RDX tomorrow (the "bumpy" ride and noise). I was reading online and seems like the "drive select" option might make the ride a bit more "smoother". What do you guys think about it? Also, are there any other useful (coooool) options I am missing by thinking of Premium Plus and not Prestige (I know it is about ~4K-5K higher in price but I am curious).

Thanks again!

Thanks for your response Princeton. I will let folks here know what I find after I drive RDX tomorrow (the "bumpy" ride and noise). I was reading online and seems like the "drive select" option might make the ride a bit more "smoother". What do you guys think about it? Also, are there any other useful (coooool) options I am missing by thinking of Premium Plus and not Prestige (I know it is about ~4K-5K higher in price but I am curious).

Thanks again!

Search this forum and your questions will have been addressed by others before you. Lot's of real good answers and info here.

If you want to experience a harsh ride, try the Infiniti FX35, which is what I came from!
Option wise, with the Q5 Premium Plus and Nav, it has everything you need (imho) except for the keyless entry. I also added the 19" rims, I love the look of those.
When I was shopping, I did not even consider the RDX. I still do not know why the auto sites compare the Q5 to the RDX, EX, X3. Size wise, feature wise, and performance wise, I feel the Q5 is a direct competitor to the FX35, RX350, X5. The MDX is more of a 4wd Odyssey, of which I chose the Odyssey as my family mover.
Have fun test driving!!

I drove the 2010 RDX and just got back home. Here are my thoughts -

RDX Cons
1) RDX is definitely noisy inside the cabin - not so much the road noise but the engine noise.
2) The Turbo sound ("noise"?) was weird for a "luxury version". It may not be a bad thing depending on the social circle - sounded more like a sports car than a luxury sedan.
3) The moon-roof isn't as big as Q5 and that was a bit of a disappointment.
4) The RDX exterior is no match for Q5 - Q5 has such a "presence" on the road and the LED lights are awesome!
5) I looked at it specifically again after looking at Q5 last evening and man, the plastic definitely seems a bit too obvious esp when compared to Q5's wood inlays!
6) I was driving at 75 in Q5 and it felt like 55. I was driving at 75 in RDX and it felt like 75...

RDX Pros
1) My wife very strongly thinks the seats in RDX are more comfortable than Q5 especially in the back. I am not sure though.
2) The tech gadgets are definitely pretty cool. It pretty much everything needed as standard (in fact, you guys correct me if I am wrong but Q5 didn't have USB port but RDX does - not that it is a deal breaker but still).
3) I didn't find the ride "bumpy" though - in Q5 I felt like I was a feeling the road a bit too much like you guys said "harsh ride". Didn't feel that way in RDX much to my surprise!
4) Price, price and definitely price is much better.

I am not sure if I should drive a Lexus RX though.
Thanks for your thoughts.

It's a luxury sports car (suv). You're suppose to feel the road. The less you feel the road, the more you give up in handling and performance.

...
RDX Pros
1) My wife very strongly thinks the seats in RDX are more comfortable than Q5 especially in the back. I am not sure though.
2) The tech gadgets are definitely pretty cool. It pretty much everything needed as standard (in fact, you guys correct me if I am wrong but Q5 didn't have USB port but RDX does - not that it is a deal breaker but still).
...


1a) Note that the Q5's front seats have a power lumbar control. Once you get it set right you melt into the seats, if its set wrong it just digs into your back!
1b) Note that the rear seats in the Q5 slide forward/backward and also tilt back.
2) There is an AMI cable jack in the glove box, and there is a USB cable (item #4F0051510G) you can get for it. I have an iPod cable and a 3.5mm cable for mine.

akkapeddi,

You sound like a man with big M so you definitely need a real machine as you deserve the best of the best, the jewel of all, the most comfortable ride that exists,

<O:p</O:p
The Jeep Commander.

<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Seats comfy and soft like your couch, bling bling and electric pleasure more than you can count and no to forget the ride of all rides, so comfy and smooth that you just hover over the masterpiece of greatest art form of crappiness, also known as local roads and still have bad arse shiny trail rated emblem on each side of masterpiece.
<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p

I did have one bling bling electric pleasure that made me wonder who needs Viagra when they can have Commander....

When I was shopping, I did not even consider the RDX.

..nor the ML/GL (Merc), x5 ('09-'10) where I had come from before..but did consider X6

First car I had in my early 20s was a Jap made one. No cheap stuff for me again.

The Q5 is one of the few SUVs that totally had a sports sedan feel. Other SUVs just felt like you were driving umm well, SUVs. The Q5 is very fun to drive but as far as the comfort department, I would rather take a long trip in something else. ( I know I know, that's my opinion though.) One option that I really do love beside the B+O sound system is the keyless entry smart key feature, very under rated and very cool. Also, if you think that the interior and exterior look good take a look at an Sline model. They are very cool looking.

The Q5 is very fun to drive but as far as the comfort department, I would rather take a long trip in something else.

Agreed, this is one area where I feel the Lexus RX takes the Q5. I suggest you test drive it for comparison... when you're spending $40-50K on a car, you want to make sure you look at everything. I told my husband I could live in the RX, it's so nice and plush. You won't feel the road like you do in the Q, but you lose all sportiness in the process. The RX also doesn't have the sporty look of the Q5; needless to say my husband said he felt like he was "trading in his youth" with the RX.

.... I would rather take a long trip in something else.......


Each of their own, one likes couch and another likes something else.

To keep this in perspective, what is really your long trip? 50 miles, 100 miles, 500 miles or 1000 miles and in what time? In hours or in 6 months?

I do 1200 miles in 16 hours non stop hauls (ok I stop to refuel) to Utah every now and then, actually in two days I'm going to very same 1200 miles in 16 hours haul with trailer and 2 weeks later same back home.

From all the vehicles I have driven in Europe, Asia, Russia and North America, I find Germans enjoyable for long distance drive as seats are not too soft like on some over sized Commander type SUV's.

Agreed, this is one area where I feel the Lexus RX takes the Q5. I suggest you test drive it for comparison... when you're spending $40-50K on a car, you want to make sure you look at everything. I told my husband I could live in the RX, it's so nice and plush. You won't feel the road like you do in the Q, but you lose all sportiness in the process. The RX also doesn't have the sporty look of the Q5; needless to say my husband said he felt like he was "trading in his youth" with the RX.


you might want to test drive LR2 - good midsize SUV/CUV, not too expensive, a little softer then Q5, less sporty, you can get all the same amenities (almost ) as in Q5.

Oh, the seats are VERY comfortable, more so then Q5.

:) I was driving at 75 in Q5 and it felt like 55. I was driving at 75 in RDX and it felt like 75..

you might want to test drive LR2 - good midsize SUV/CUV, not too expensive, a little softer then Q5, less sporty, you can get all the same amenities (almost ) as in Q5.

Oh, the seats are VERY comfortable, more so then Q5.

I am going to jump in here and say "don't waste your time" with the LR2 - unless you like a softer, more comfortable ride to their service department. Unfortunately, the Land Rovers have an awful repair history, awful mileage and a host of other issues and are for the most part, IMHO, bought by people in love with the "look" or "mystique" of a car with a once proud history of ruggedness. That history is history.
Regarding the RDX vs the Q5; two waaaaaaaaaaaaaay different SUVS and as mentioned above, are not in the same class.
Before the Q5, I test drove the RDX, admittedly for a short ride, but that was all I needed to realize that the ride was rough, the engine loud and just too small for my needs. In the Acura lineup, the MDX is a more suitable competitor to the Q5 - drove that too and still prefered the Q5.

Bob

[QUOTE=Sherman's Audi;23980643]The Q5 is one of the few SUVs that totally had a sports sedan feel. Other SUVs just felt like you were driving umm well, SUVs. The Q5 is very fun to drive but as far as the comfort department, I would rather take a long trip in something else. ( I know I know, that's my opinion though.)

Agree w u. Maybe it's my slightly bad back, but on moderate/long trips - (1+ hours) I am just not feeling that "Audi seat" comfort.

Bob

I am going to jump in here and say "don't waste your time" with the LR2 - unless you like a softer, more comfortable ride to their service department. Unfortunately, the Land Rovers have an awful repair history, awful mileage and a host of other issues and are for the most part, IMHO, bought by people in love with the "look" or "mystique" of a car with a once proud history of ruggedness. That history is history.
...
Bob

Bob,

I drive LR2 every day, and in 3 years I had 3 problems. The newer Land Rovers are more reliable then before, LR2 was a joint venture under the Ford's ownership between LR and Volvo-LR2 has Volvo engine, AW transmission, drive train is from Volvo (haldex unit),

the interior is designed by LR -very simple and functional, you need only one movement of your hand to adjust temp., air flow or fun speed (not 3 like in Q5), seats are superior to Audi- I get in LR2 and do not need to adjust the seat, and I keep adjusting it all day long when driving Q5.

the radio display is so-so, but nav. is good. All the buttons on radio/climate control system are big and easy to see and press, instrument cluster is dated in its look, but overall LR2 is a very underestimated SUV - I only realized that after we started shopping for another SUV for my wife.
For the price LR2 will give you all you need and more, and still be alot cheaper then RX350 or Q5.
And NO you don't get the "sporty feel" like you get from driving Q5.

PS

LR2 has a lot less /more simplified elecronics then Audis or Volvos so will potentially have less electric problems in the long run.

Bob,

I drive LR2 every day, and in 3 years I had 3 problems. The newer Land Rovers are more reliable then before, LR2 was a joint venture under the Ford's ownership between LR and Volvo-LR2 has Volvo engine, AW transmission, drive train is from Volvo (haldex unit),

the interior is designed by LR -very simple and functional, you need only one movement of your hand to adjust temp., air flow or fun speed (not 3 like in Q5), seats are superior to Audi- I get in LR2 and do not need to adjust the seat, and I keep adjusting it all day long when driving Q5.

the radio display is so-so, but nav. is good. All the buttons on radio/climate control system are big and easy to see and press, instrument cluster is dated in its look, but overall LR2 is a very underestimated SUV - I only realized that after we started shopping for another SUV for my wife.
For the price LR2 will give you all you need and more, and still be alot cheaper then RX350 or Q5.
And NO you don't get the "sporty feel" like you get from driving Q5.

PS

LR2 has a lot less /more simplified elecronics then Audis or Volvos so will potentially have less electric problems in the long run.

Ok, that's good to know and hope it holds true and reliability gets to where it needs to be. I have never driven one, knew of a couple of people who did have one - not sure of the model, but was in the shop more than out and the JD Powers people low rated the reliability. Again, hope it is, as you pointed out, improving..it's a nice looking suv.

Bob

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate your thoughts. At this point, I am sold on why Audi deserves to be paid $8K more :-). I am doing additional research on reliability - I have been reading a lot about transmission problems. At this point, I guess I am just telling myself why Q5 is a better choice but I do want to research some more about what happens 4 years from now once warranty runs over. For me, any car I buy is a keeper - I don't intend to switch cars for the next 6-7 years at least. Thanks again. I will come back to the forum if I have any additonal questions. Plan to make up my mind in the next week or two (hoping that June 1st brings some new deals ;-) with Euro value going down, I was reading on Yahoo Finance how German cars could be cheaper! :-) )

Thanks for your comments. Appreciate your thoughts. At this point, I am sold on why Audi deserves to be paid $8K more :-). I am doing additional research on reliability - I have been reading a lot about transmission problems. At this point, I guess I am just telling myself why Q5 is a better choice but I do want to research some more about what happens 4 years from now once warranty runs over. For me, any car I buy is a keeper - I don't intend to switch cars for the next 6-7 years at least. Thanks again. I will come back to the forum if I have any additonal questions. Plan to make up my mind in the next week or two (hoping that June 1st brings some new deals ;-) with Euro value going down, I was reading on Yahoo Finance how German cars could be cheaper! :-) )

The Q5 is a much better choice than the RDX, in fact, I dont even consider them to be in the same class, but if you prioritize reliability on top of your list, you might want to re-think Japanese car again. Most Audi are pretty reliable the 1st 4-5 years, but as it gets older, it will have some expensive repairs. Generally, Japanese luxury cars are more reliable as they age, but the repair cost can be close to what the Germans are charging. In the end, it comes down to performance vs reliability, which is more important to you.

I don't find the Q5's ride bumpy at all. I actually find it real comfortable going over rough streets, and there are plenty here in San Francisco. Stretches that I previously slowed down for in my old Ody and my TL, I no longer do that in the Q5. I have complete confidence in it and it is not jarring. It has been much better than I expected.

Did you test drive the S-Line with the 20" wheels? That may be the culprit. I have a non-SLine with 19's.

I don't find the Q5's ride bumpy at all. I actually find it real comfortable going over rough streets, and there are plenty here in San Francisco. Stretches that I previously slowed down for in my old Ody and my TL, I no longer do that in the Q5. I have complete confidence in it and it is not jarring. It has been much better than I expected.

Did you test drive the S-Line with the 20" wheels? That may be the culprit. I have a non-SLine with 19's.

Please check the tire pressure all round!
Mine was at 45 to 48 psi when I picked it up and drove around for a few hours and felt very unusual. Stopped to check at a gas station. Reduced to 33 psi - been fine so far.
Even demo units can be overlooked at the dealership.

Of standard 18" and S-Line 20" do make huge difference as well in ride quality/comfort.

Please check the tire pressure all round!
Mine was at 45 to 48 psi when I picked it up and drove around for a few hours and felt very unusual. Stopped to check at a gas station. Reduced to 33 psi - been fine so far.
Even demo units can be overlooked at the dealership.


+1, my Q5 was at 44psi cold all around when I finally got around to checking them. At 31 psi (manual says regular load 30, max load 33 for my 19s), it made a world of difference to the ride/handling.

+1, my Q5 was at 44psi cold all around when I finally got around to checking them. At 31 psi (manual says regular load 30, max load 33 for my 19s), it made a world of difference to the ride/handling.

+2,same issue on my S Line, adjusted to 33 PSI and the ride/handling is fantastic.

+1, my Q5 was at 44psi cold all around when I finally got around to checking them. At 31 psi (manual says regular load 30, max load 33 for my 19s), it made a world of difference to the ride/handling.

aaaah! this is what I missed on the day I bought and now this post reminded me.. I was sitting in my new Q5 and was of course drooling at how beautiful it is. I had tire pressure as 1 of items to check off (I made a list based on this forum)..my sales guy sits in the front passenger seat, goes into the car menu and makes the current tire pressure as the baseline or benchmark or something like that. All of that while I was looking at it and I didn't ask what the pressure was then! That is after I wrote that item in the list! Sorry - too busy getting a kick and thrill out of new Q5!!! :-)

There is an option to check the current tire pressure in the menu right? I should go check it out..