S4 or Q5?

[color_wolf]

Hi everyone,

I am currently very torn trying to decide between an Audi S4 or a Q5. I know that they are completely different cars but I like several factors of both cars.

Price difference is not an issue since they are almost the same price with the way I optioned them.

I will list several factors that I like about each car.

S4
- 333hp supercharged engine
- S Tronic gearbox
- 2 tone leather SPORT seats
- Driving enjoyment

Q5
- Larger trunk storage
- More space for passengers
- I bike quite a bit and would like to install a trailer hitch
- Like the look of the Q5 with S Line better
- Girlfriend likes the Q5 more

I currently drive a Lexus GS450h with a tiny trunk. I don't know if I am trying to over-compensate for the small and useless trunk by getting an SUV. I also currently have a trunk bike rack for my bikes which has scratched the crap out of my trunk and bumper. I don't want to repeat the scratching on my new car especially since I want it in brilliant black. I think it will be a lot easier and more convenient to get a hitch bike rack for the Q5 than a roof rack for the S4. I want to be able to remove the rack easily.

If anyone has any experience with roof racks on an S4 please share your experiences with putting it on and off.


Help me make my decision soon. I want to put my order in before wednesday.

Thanks

[Rabbit222]

S4 all the way! Q5 from a passenger perspective seats the same amount of passengers a S4 will. Order a S4 in S tronic....

[ibiski]

Judging from your post and the fact that you're coming from Lexus, it seems to me you're leaning more towards the Q5. It's a great looking car, but even in the S-Line trim, I wouldn't say it's better looking than S4 and IMO it's also more feminine, since it is one of the smaller SUV's. What are your most important priorities? Are you looking for a more practical, do it all vehicle? Do you frequently have multiple passengers? Do you need more storage? Do you prefer smoother, more comfortable ride with a more commanding view? If so, go for Q5. On the other hand if you mostly drive by yourself or with one passenger, want to have a more technologically advanced and more exciting car you won't get bored with after few months, the S4 is a better choice. BTW, the hitch bike rack is the way to go, but the Audi hitch and installation are crazy expensive for the Q5 and unless your height is like that of a basketball player, I'd imagine it's a bit tough to put bikes the roof rack. Another option would be to wait for the rumored Q5S. YOu'd have best of both worlds, but who knows if Audi will decide to bring it to market? Good luck with your decision.

[Okan509]

I vote S4, but it seems like you want the Q5

[foodplz]

If you want a car to "drive"... go s4

If you want a car to carry stuff around... go q5

Simple as that. They are completely different classes. If you want hauling versatility the s4 simply isn't gonna fit the bill. Btw I'm drving a q5 loaner. Its a fantastic car. The electronics are great. The panoramic roof is a must have.

[L0U]

I'd take a q5 over an a4 for a single vehicle family, but the q5 would have to be a 2nd vehicle when compared to the s4.

[MichaelC]

Maybe you should consider an Avant. I do a lot of cycling too and got the Avant so I could carry two bikes inside the car.

[BSBG]

Posting this here, I think you know the answers you will get. Buy what you want, not what we all know is the best sport sedan at the moment .

[ADynamics]

Sounds like your GF is buying the car. If you want room, versatility, power then get a Tahoe.

[Dr GP]

There is really no comparison between a 4 dr sedan and an SUV. Granted, you can get 5 people in both and put a bicycle on both as well. But the S4 is really a performance sedan. An the Q5 will have more room and be more versitlie with repspect to hauling gear and passengers. An S4 avant could be an alternative if Audi ever decided to bring it to North America. But don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. What you reall need to decide is wheth a SUV or an 4 dr sedan presents the biggest compromise to your life style.

[ahcow]

Well, for your purpose, I guess the Q5 is better for you?

I am a golfer, so as long as I can fit my set of clubs, I am fine. In terms of trunk space, the S4 has quite a bit but I don't know if that will fit your bikes too well, however, I did recall a thread on here discussing about how some people put their mountain bikes into the trunk of the S4. Maybe you can consider that if that's all you plan to haul.

[miggity02]

When is the B8 S4 Avant coming to NA? That would be your car!!

[CowtownSteve]

this is an S4 forum....now possibly if you had asked the question R8 or S4 you might get a different response but for the most part people will choose the S4

[marty was here]

a Q5 and a RX450h aren't even in the same class imho as an S4. if im fair, i dont get how this is even a comparison?

S4 for yourself, get your gf a Q5 or an RX

[mcimiluca]

Ive driven the q5 plenty of times... its a beautiful car, but nothing like an s4

[Dr GP]

When is the B8 S4 Avant coming to NA? That would be your car!!

2 weeks!

[Leor604]

2 weeks!

Very funny! Does it come with an APR ecu tune?

Seriously, though, is there a 2 inch receiver available for the B8 series car? If yes, then easy to mount a hitch rack.

I have seen cars with hitch mount bike racks so may be another "best of both worlds" solution. I bike too so would also be interested as we already have a Thule hitch rack for our Odyssey.

Edit: took a quick look and found one from Curt Manufacturing. However, installation requires "minor fascia trimming". OUCH!!!

[wbwynn]

The seats alone on the S4 would make me buy it over the Q5; I traded my Q7 for the S4. Best move I ever made. The joy from driving an S4 totally overwhelms the utility of a Q5. From my experience, the Q is a good truck in its class, but it's not what Audi does best. Good luck.

[Kandiru]

At least Porsche had the decency of offering a manual tranny in the Cayenne GTS,
just about the only sporty SUV out there right now.

You are comparing apples to oranges. The Q5 is an SUV that will draw little sympathy
from the enthusiast drivers.

[fatbrembos]

s4 is a amazing car and it might not be all that big compared to the trunk space of a q5 but its one hell of a car
just go with the s4!

[rktskicar]

As this is a S4 forum, the results will be biased toward the S4. Try this same poll on the Q5 forum and see what you get, lol!

Bruce

[ibiski]

As this is a S4 forum, the results will be biased toward the S4. Try this same poll on the Q5 forum and see what you get, lol!

Bruce

Q5 forum is almost dead. Not many enthusiasts there.

[JEmm]

Why not a loaded A4 Avant? Yes less powerful as an S4 and not as big as a Q5, but to me it's the perfect mix. Just my .02 though.

[audi40]

Why not a loaded A4 Avant? Yes less powerful as an S4 and not as big as a Q5, but to me it's the perfect mix. Just my .02 though.

Better yet, an A6 Avant with sport package...it's got your two-tone seats, with 300HP supercharged engine, and plenty of hauling capacity:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...=&cardist=5558

[ahcow]

Better yet, an A6 Avant with sport package...it's got your two-tone seats, with 300HP supercharged engine, and plenty of hauling capacity:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...=&cardist=5558

OP is in Canada, we don't have two-tone seats as an option on the A6. I guess he can always go down to the states to pick one up?

[Reverserewind]

I also ride a tonne, just get a roof rack, less bouncing around for the bikes than a hitch, less wear on the car than a trunk mount. A trick from my brother with his A4 get a few small pieces of 3M and put them where you'd mount the feet for the roof rack and where the fairing will sit to save the paint. I'm not sure if you're road riding out mountain biking but putting the bikes on the roof saves a lot of dirt from the inside of your car/suv. The trunk space is plenty big enough to fit all the extra stuff you need to ride for at least 2 people. I just came off a Saab 9-3 which is smaller than the B8 and with a roof rack I never had any problem taking everything I needed riding and at least one buddy.

Plus then when you're not riding you have an S4 to boot around in ;)

[Reverserewind]

I also ride a tonne, just get a roof rack, less bouncing around for the bikes than a hitch, less wear on the car than a trunk mount. A trick from my brother with his A4 get a few small pieces of 3M and put them where you'd mount the feet for the roof rack and where the fairing will sit to save the paint. I'm not sure if you're road riding out mountain biking but putting the bikes on the roof saves a lot of dirt from the inside of your car/suv. The trunk space is plenty big enough to fit all the extra stuff you need to ride for at least 2 people. I just came off a Saab 9-3 which is smaller than the B8 and with a roof rack I never had any problem taking everything I needed riding and at least one buddy.

Plus then when you're not riding you have an S4 to boot around in ;)

[volkl7]

2 weeks!

no joke. how the heck can we get audi to get the s4 avant here?

[Ryan_T]

Your gf is trying to tell you something. Ignore her.


Carry your bike with a roof rack.

[rktskicar]

no joke. how the heck can we get audi to get the s4 avant here?

Give it up dude, no B8 S4 Avant will ever be here. Either Q5 or B8 A4 2.0T or A6 3.0T. Take your pick of these or go home.

Bruce

[colt45]

get the S4.

[audi40]

OP is in Canada, we don't have two-tone seats as an option on the A6. I guess he can always go down to the states to pick one up?

Amaretto & Black interior is offered on Canadian A6's:

http://www.audi.ca/ca/brand/en/model.../interior.html

[color_wolf]

S4 it is ... anyone know if the Thule bike racks fit on the Audi base rack ?

[Reverserewind]

Nice choice!!! My 11 just showed up yesterday still all wrapped up.

I believe the new racks will work or you can get an adapter for some of the racks. The Audi bars resemble the new Thule Aero bars.

Page 8
http://www.audi.ca/etc/medialib/ngw/...atalog_cnd.pdf

Thule Rapid Aero Load Bars
http://www.thule.com/en/CA/Products/...ars/17912.aspx

Rack Adapter (Based on the Thule Fit Guide)
http://www.thule.com/en/CA/Products/...ies/24712.aspx

I haven't had the chance to check out the Audi racks up close but I don't think Yakima makes a rack system for Audi so their racks may just be a re-branded Thule rack. If you're not getting the racks thrown in it may be cheaper just to buy the whole Thule system for the new car. I'm interested in knowing how this works out as well as I'll need new racks sometime soon.

Anyone want to buy a Thule base rack for a Saab 9-3?? LOL.

[bcampbell]

I was going to tick the Q5 box but couldn't bring myself to do it