Yes! Q5's are everywhere and I feel like i know people buying them right and left. I may be impatient but the A4/A5/Q5/Q7's interiors all seem very dated, especially the Q7. The Q7 dash goes back to the old '04 A6, right? I would have though that the it would have received the A6/A7/A8 style dashboard with popup LCD by now. The dash of the A4/A5/Q5 also seems almost equally as tired. That does not mean I want Audi to hop onboard the "fake iPad/Tablet" stuck on the dashboard motif like their German friends. I imagine the redesign will be much like the A6/A7/A8 dash style which I like a lot. I am curious if that low flat dash style will be compatible with the architecture of the Q's though since SUV's typically have more upright dashboards. While certianly not dated, A3 interior is bizarre. There is really "something missing" in there . The center dash is "awkward" for a lack of an equally consice statement.
It's interesting how the T1 had tons of revolutionary features and options- remember that V10 TDI? Absolutely ridiculous! There was tons of tech packed into that car that never evolved either. Another great feature was for the most part you could get any option irregardless of the engine choice. As you know, more often then not, more/better features you want require you have to buy the bigger engine. V6 with nav and air suspension- not an issue. Then the T2 came along, dropped not only V10 TDI (ok it wasn't the top seller and it had legal issues in Cali) but also they also dropped V8 option, which I would bet sold at nearly if not as well at the V6. VW also took out the real wood trim 99% of the T1's came with and instead have 99% of the T2's have no trim, just rubberized plastic. A lot of the tech options disappeared and I don't think any major developments were made. I'm not even sure if they upgraded the admittedly garbage navigation system that was considered to be the worst on the market. Now the T3 rolls around- leather is now an option, but oddly for 2015 xenons are standard. A $67,000
hybrid is offered but costs $15,000 more than the TDI which already gets 4mpg better than the hybrid. The TDI still costs $8,000 more than the V6. So real world power- the T3 goes 0-60: 7.8sec in the V6, 6.7 in the TDI, and 5.9 in the Hybrid. It seems ridiculous VW even wasted time and money on the hybrid. Are forgetting to advertise some giant tax incentives? VAG's problem is too much convolution and competition between the Q5, Q7, Touareg, and the Cayenne. This problem wasn't evident before the release of the Q7 (and Q5 obviously) when it was only the Touareg and Cayenne since there was a pretty substantial buffer between the two. As I mentioned before when my residency ends I'd like to trade/sell my BMW for a number of reasons but primarily because I would prefer the utility of an SUV. Unfortunately the weather this year is continuously reminding me. I'm really infatuated with the Touareg TDI. I just fear what corners VW has decided to cut with this revision to continue their efficiency game. At least the poor resale value remains consistent between the revisions and since I'll likely be buying used it may be a good thing. Touaregs are rare in general and used options are very limited.
And then I consider the Q5. I believe the Q5 is an well designed, attractive , and excellently executed car. My problem with it is it just seems to feminine. Like the Lexus RX level of feminine. That and it might be slightly smaller than what I'm looking for. Even throwing on black wheels (which I abhor) somehow makes them look even more feminine. I'm not sure if they still offer the "off-road package" but it gave the Q5 a much more masculine feel adding the Allroad styling cues of plastic fender flares and stainless steel "underbody protection" (who knows how much protection...) visible around the bumpers.
It's baffling that right now Audi is one of the top rated luxury brands in reliability and VW is one of the worst rated brands. I really wish VW would reconsider trying to produce the cheapest car possible without ruining the quality. Not just the clearly visible and tangible quality, but also reliability which VW has suffered with for almost 2 decades(?, at least since ~2000). My mom had an original 2001 Audi Allroad back in the day and it was the worst car she has ever owned in terms of reliability by far. If Audi can go from being at the bottom of the ratings to the top, VW is certainly capable of making some improvements.
The Cayenne is another fantasticly engineering achievement. I've driven and ridden in the original generation Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo and they're amazing. That said, they're expensive, even more expensive to fix, not that great looking (honestly I think the Touareg has always been the best looking between the Cayenne and Q7), and really if I wanted a sporty car, I would buy a car, not an SUV pretending to be one.
Yes, I suppose I can dream. Audi has never made a "truck" before and I don't see them moving in that direction. And sadly, car-based pseudo SUV's are the future.
