Audi is a bit late to the crossover game, but the market is too lucrative to sit back. The Q5 is getting nice reviews.
If sales numbers are anything to go by, it is impossible to ignore the popularity of the compact SUV. In fact, nearly every carmaker in the world has something to offer in this growing vehicle segment: Acura RDX, BMW X3, Cadillac SRX, Infiniti FX, Land Rover LR4, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and Volvo XC60, just to name a few. A relatively new addition to the aforementioned list is the 2009 Audi Q5 ($37,350). And while the German automaker is a little late to the crossover game, the Q5 is arguably the best of the bunch. The vehicle’s brilliance begins with the chassis, which shares its platform with Audi’s impressive A5 coupe and redesigned A4 sedan. A torque-happy 3.2-liter V-6 engine and smooth seven-speed automated manual transmission complete the drivetrain by delivering 270 hp to all four wheels. The Q5 also features a surprisingly spacious interior—even for backseat passengers—thanks to a longer wheelbase than most of its competitors. – From Robb Report