JaXeN

My understanding is that the option adds hip level airbags in addition to the head level curtain airbags that are standard and run from the front to the rear.

Edit:

Here is an illustration-


I can certainly see the benefit if you are regularly transporting children.

georgehf

When I bought my Q5, the salesman recommended against the rear side airbags specifically because I have child car seats in the back. I'm not sure if he was just trying to sell me a Q off of the lot but I bought his reasoning.

rtlm

I was given the same advice, and I custom ordered. I believe the concern is that with small children, the explosive force of the airbag is potentially more dangerous, or it could interfere with a car seat, or something.

larryV

There's truth to that, and I've seen more than one forum discussion and heard more than one dealership advise me regarding that.

Supposedly, the detonation of a side thorax airbag poses a potential danger to an infant or young child in a car seat when mounted on any of the rear outboard seats. The side curtain airbags are not. If you have a car with the rear side thorax airbags, it's recommended that you place the child car seat in the middle (bitch) position.

I have yet to find any actual studies or actual crash testing to back this up on the internet, but it makes sense to me.

koobah

Congrats on the order. I also was tempted by the SQ5, but decided to wait to see how the Porsche Macan and the rumored Evoque R turn out. The Q5 body style looks kind of dated considering it appeared in 2008, and a completely new Q5 is probably just around the corner. Great engine though.

rarewolf

It's till the handsomest CUV on the road! My thinking was to buy one now BEFORE it was refreshed!!

my CA$0.02

idale

MY2016 will be the next-gen Q5, which will also be built in the new Puebla, Mexico facility (for the NA market). You'd probably want to give it time to prove both the new platform and the new factory, as usually there's minor issues in new platforms and Mexico hasn't had the best track record on assembly in the past (it's supposedly getting better, and you'd hope that Audi's QC would be pickier than VW's, but the only way to know for sure is to see how things turn out).

JBDinTX

Sorry to keep you guys wondering. I just a finalized all the paper work today and put down my $1000 deposit. I had a family emergency that last 5 days. No pricing yet. They are going to sell me the SQ5 for a $1000 over invoice. Best deal I could find right now. I was the first one to order a SQ5 and put money down. This is the way I ended up ordering it. Color ????/black interior, WPT,WTP, PQ8, 5TB, 6W3. I did not get the ventilated seats or the rear side airbags.

Rlk1

Congrats. Did the dealer give you any indication as to when you would take delivery?

JBDinTX

No as long as I get it before Oct 15 2014