Perry001

I know they are not ready to order yet but I am looking to replace my 2004 VW Touareg V8 with a new Q5 3.0T. The Touareg has been a great SUV, very luxurious with good styling but the fuel consumption is quite high at 13 MPG combined city/highway. I need to be able to tow my boat which weighs 3900 lbs fully loaded on its trailer.

I am wondering if the Q5 would be a good tow vehicle for me with its tow rating of 4400 lbs. I know a TDI would have more torque but diesel is over 50 cents more per gallon where I live and I prefer the 3.0T.

I am also wondering what the EPA will rate the new Q5's 3.0T MPG at. Any ideas?

jcom

Where are you located that the TDI will be an option?

spijun

Do not forget to fuel consumption
Fuel consumption 3.0TDI:.........................Fuel consumption 3.0 TFSI:
-City(l/100 km) 7,1............................-City(l/100 km) 11,4 difference 60%
-Highway (l/100 km) 6,0.....................-Highway (l/100 km)7,0 difference 17%
-Combined(l/100 km) 6,4.....................-Combined 8,5 difference 33%

Real consumption is even greater.
My Q5 2.0TFSI average fuel consumption(factory data 7,9)real 12.5 l/100 km and from my friend Q5 2.0 TDI consumption an average of 8.6 l/100 km
That's a difference of 45%

cluless

Considering the 2013 Q7 3.0T gets 16 mpg city and the 2013 A8 3.0T gets 18 mpg city, I would say the Q5 will get 17 mpg city. I base this assumption on the fact that the Q5 is lighter than the Q7 but is less aerodynamic than the A8. Horsepower is different but many times that is not a consideration in rating the cars. The "course" that they drive these cars on doesn't tax the engines to use the extra horsepower.

Looking at the highway ratings the same way as the city would result in a highway rating of about 25-26 mpg.

If you tow that boat a lot or in hilly terrain I would wait for the 2014 TDI. I suspect that will get about 23/33 mpg. The instant torque of a diesel really comes in handy towing.

Remember that these 3.0T require premium gas. In my area the price of premium is the same as diesel. The price of premium is 5-10% more than regular.

Another option is the 2013 Q7 3.0TDI if you have deep pockets. It is rated 19/28 mpg.

Perry001

Towing mostly short distances over flat terrain. I know the diesel is a better towing motor but the base price of the TDI will be quite a bit more than the 3.0T and that difference can buy a lot of fuel.

Is the Q5 a stable platform for towing? 4400 lbs is more than other SUV's in its class but no where near the 7700 lbs tow rating of my Touareg.

I really like the looks of the Q5 and I'm glad they are finally offering the 3.0T and the 3.0 TDI for 2014.

Even if I can get 20 MPG combined, I'd be happy.

cluless

Considering the your Touareg is rated 12/17mpg 14 combined and that you get 13 combined you should be able to get 20 mpg combined. More freeway miles will increase your fuel use drastically because of the 8 speed transmission.

I have no experience towing with a Q5 and therefore know nothing about its stability. I tow an RV about 5000 miles a year with a truck. I've learned the longer the well base of the towing vehicle the better the towing experience. Therefore, do not go long on a boat trailer since the short wheelbase of the Q5. If you go to long on the trailer and don't have the correct tongue weight the tail-wagging-the dog can occur. The correct tongue weight of a trailer should be 10-15% of trailer weight. I'm not sure of the Q5's max tongue weight capability. According to your boat weight you should be about about 400 pounds on the tongue.

cluless

More freeway miles will increase your fuel use drastically because of the 8 speed transmission.

I meant fuel economy not fuel use

HZ60

Spijun,

Can these l/100 km numbers be converted to US MPG or are they calculated using a different European formula? I went to http://www.markporthouse.net/rangie/...onversion.htm# and plugged in your numbers for the 3.0 TFSI. It came out to 20.63 mpg city, 33.60 highway and 27.67 combined. I also found this website http://www.automotive-fleet.com/Chan...x?prestitial=1 that states, "The 3.0 TFSI is a V-6 (replacing the 3.2L engine) and can produce 272 hp of power and 295.02 lb.-ft. of torque. With this engine, the Q5 can travel from 0 to 62.14 mph in 5.9 seconds and gets a combined fuel economy of 27.67 US mpg, according to Audi." That combined number exactly matches the conversion I got using your l/100km figure. The fuel economy numbers are not listed on the US site for the 3.0 TFSI engine, just curious.
Thanks,

spijun

I think this is the same result that consumption did you get
Consumption data are from the official website Audi Germany
http://www.audi.de/de/brand/de/neuwa...che_daten.html
You have information on this web site but British imperial measures
http://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/q5/q5...fications.html

HZ60

Ok thanks,
So now we convert Imperial Gallons to US and come up with 17.17 city, 27.97 highway and 23.04 combined which is a little better than the 3.2. Of course, YMMV