Three distinct groups of competitors emerge for the 2009 Audi Q5.
The first group comprises its fellow travelers from Germany and Great Britain; the Mercedes-Benz GLK wears angular clothes and bakes in off-roading, four-wheel drive, and a big V-6, with diesel power on the way.
The BMW X3 is the senior officer in the class and is substantially improved in ride and handling in 2008.
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 seems at odds with its mission, while the EX35’s teensy cargo area leads to questions about its SUV classification.
Lastly, 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.
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 2009 Audi Q5Browse Used Listings |  2010 Volvo XC60Browse Used Listings |  2009 Cadillac SRXBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Acura RDXBrowse Used Listings |  2008 Land Rover LR2Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2009 Audi Q5 sports the sleek lines of a sweet German sedan, a date-worthy cabin, and good, hefty, but gimmicky handling. |
The 2010 Volvo XC60 brings unexpected style and a heavy dose of safety technology to families with all-weather needs. |
The 2009 Cadillac SRX enters its last year as a good-looking and functional crossover, but tight third-row seating and poor fuel efficiency remain as blemishes on an otherwise solid package. |
The 2008 Acura RDX gets its edge from turbo power and crisp handling, but it can feel a little nervous and cramped. |
The 2008 Land Rover LR2 splices the ruggedly stylish look that draws people to the legendary British brand with honest practicality, without the gas-guzzling and clumsy handling. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $37,200 | $32,395 | $40,460 | $33,195 | $33,985 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 18 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 22 MPG Hwy | 16 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Gas V6 | Gas I6 | Gas V6 | Gas I4 | Inline 6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle | N/A | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility |
| Style Name | ||||
| quattro 4-Door 3.2L Premium | AWD 4-Door 3.2L | AWD 4-Door V6 | 4WD 4-Door | AWD 4-Door SE |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| All wheel drive | All Wheel Drive | AWD | 4 Wheel Drive | Four Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4dr SUV | 5 Door Wagon | 4 Door | 4 Door | 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic | Automatic, | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2009 Audi Q5 vs. 2010 Volvo XC60 | 2009 Audi Q5 vs. 2009 Cadillac SRX | 2009 Audi Q5 vs. 2008 Acura RDX | 2009 Audi Q5 vs. 2008 Land Rover LR2 | |
