2009 Audi Q5
Price: $37,200
The basics: 3.2-liter V-6 with 270
horsepower; six-speed automatic; all-wheel drive standard
Fuel economy: 18/23 mpg
Rating: 8.4 out of 10
The Audi Q5 is new
for 2009, and scores highly for its suave looks and its spacious interior.
Editors liked its appealing style, inside and out; the quality feel of cabin and
controls; its ample V-6 power; and its standard all-wheel-drive.
On the flip
side, the Q5's Drive Select system feels gimmicky when one setting for ride
quality would be fine. Steering is too heavy in all modes of Drive Select, and
with that $2950 option and others, the Audi Q5 becomes a pricey addition
to the class, with a $50,000 sticker possible.
Our Bottom Line? The 2009 Audi Q5 sports the sleek lines
of a sweet German sedan, a date-worthy cabin, and good but gimmicky, hefty
handling.
2009 BMW X3-Series
The basics: 3.0-liter in-line six with 260
horsepower; six-speed manual or automatic; all-wheel drive
standard
Price : $39,700
Fuel economy: 16/23 mpg
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
The revamped BMW X3 is substantially improved, and editors have noted how the settled-down ride and upgraded cabin make the X3 feel more luxurious than prior versions. Strong acceleration, a smartly styled cabin, standard all-wheel drive and the availability of a manual transmission are all pluses for the X3. Negatives for the 2009 BMW X3 include a tight back seat, choppy styling outside, and handling that comes close to but doesn't match the enviable responses of BMW’s cars. Fuel economy is lower than the Audi Q5's as well.Our Bottom Line? The 2009 BMW X3 is a more rugged
alternative to a sport wagon, but it's not as much fun to drive.
2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK
The basics: 3.5-liter V-6 with 268 horsepower;
seven-speed automatic; all-wheel drive available
Price: $34,900
Fuel economy: 16/22 mpg
Rating: 8.2 out of 10
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-ute bears a strong resemblance to the larger GL-Class, and that is a good thing--for the most part. Our editors like the upright styling,
but it simply looks less upscale than the curvy Audi Q5 or the Volvo XC60. The
GLK's smooth ride quality, car like acceleration and grip defy its SUV shape, but
the roomy cabin and cargo area confirm its utility even before you load it with
people and stuff. Like other SUVs in this class, the GLK's steering can feel light for a vehicle of its size and height. It's pricey, for sure, not compared to the other Germans but to economy-brand sport-utes in the same size class. Of all these vehicles, only the GLK is offered in rear-drive form, which cuts the price but could also affect resale value, depending on your geography and weather. And even with an extra gear in the transmission, the GLK gets the worst fuel economy in this select group.
Our Bottom Line? The smaller, nimbler 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-ute
has come to America at just the right time for Mercedes; where's our diesel
version?
The Winner: 2009 Audi Q5
The 2009 Audi Q5 sports the sleek lines
of a sweet German sedan, a date-worthy cabin, and good but gimmicky, hefty
handling.
The Competition
You might not think the Audi Q5 is
exactly the right car for you--and the other German SUVs may not
fit the bill, either. So what's left in this size and price class? If you're
still looking for rugged lines and all-terrain travel, Land Rover’s LR2 is a square-jawed
niche player in the group, with true four-wheeling bred in its blocky
silhouette.
The next pair, the Acura RDX and Infiniti EX35, share Japanese
heritage, but feel radically different. The RDX’s pulsing turbocharged
four-cylinder feels at odds with its mission, while the EX35’s teensy cargo area
leads to questions about its SUV classification.
Last, the soft and comfy SUVs in this
group include the Lexus RX, a luxury favorite
with little driving feel and a hybrid model; the new Volvo XC60, a sleek and fairly
quick-footed SUV with a marvelous interior; and the Cadillac SRX, a new entry in this
size class with crisp styling and good on-road maneuvers.
Source : TheCarConnection.com, Fortitude.com
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