(results from B6 A4, B7 A4, B6 S4 and B7 S4 forums)

So Audi if you are reading this, don't expect to mop up too many Avant sales with the Q5.

It was pretty bleedin' obvious without a poll anyway. Do you really think anyone would have gone out of their way (it's not like there are many on the lot or you ever see them advertised) to buy an Audi A4/S4 Avant if what they really wanted was a little SUV? I don't think so.

If anyone is like me, they buy an Avant because they want a sports sedan with added practicality and better looks. The last thing I want is more ride height for a vehicle that never goes off road.

And it's not like small SUVs are more spacious either. I wouldn't exactly call the Hummer H3 small, but even it has less cargo space (55 cu.ft.) vs than the A4 Avant (59 cu.ft.).

Please Audi, whatever you feel like doing with the Q5, make sure you bring the B8 A4 Avant and S4 Avant to the US. Oh yeah, and the RS4 Avant too.

unlikely, but possible. After all, AW is a pretty popular forum. Maybe word of this will get around to them eventually.

I can certainly understand Avant afficionados being upset if there is no B8 A4 Avant.

I think the real question for Audi is "What will current Avant owners buy next?"

Will they go with another brand instead?

Perhaps some will.

But if Audi draws more new buyers with their new line up then Audi will be happy.

If the Q5 is to succeed, the B8 Avant probably needs to go.

The overall economic impact for the entire Audi lineup will matter most.

I'd be sorry to see the Avant go because, even though I'm not an Avant buyer, I do believe it's far and away the best execution of a (please don't stone for this....)sports wagon out there.

Only time will tell, but I can't imagine any poll making a lick of difference.

Good luck guys...I think Audi would make a big mistage not keeping this in NA. I am not ready for a wagon yet but if I was this is the one I would want...

I think the fact that the A6 Avant and Q7 coexist bodes well for the return of the Avant with the B8 platform.

Being a skier and/or snowboarder changes your perspective on "what is cool" in cars.

I agree that those with the means would probably step up to the A6 Avant as opposed to "settling for" the Q5.

If that happens then Audi wins BIGTIME.

I'd be surprised if many A4 Avant owners step up to the 5 series wagon. Those with that kind of money would probably stick with the A6.

Might those who can't afford an A6 Avant go for a 3 series wagon? Sure, in which case Audi loses a bit there.

But, how many small suv drivers will Audi lure from BMW and Mercedes?

That might be the key question.....

Frankly, I don't think it would be very many but who knows.

Naturally, it's all specualtive.

X3 -> Q5 wins are more than A4 Avant -> 3 wagons losses.

What I find as people's general perception:
- SUV = higher seating position = safer
- AWD = safer
- Quattro = one of the best AWD

Put ^^^ ingrediants together, add water (snow), bake (marketing), and then top with some delicious frosting (styling), now people can have their cake & eat it too! :-)

How many overturned station wagons (of any type) have you seen, compared with rolled over SUVs?

Exactly.

And yet, the general public still thinks that SUVs are "safer" than smaller, capable cars like, oh, I don't know, an A4 Avant.

unless the B8 has about 3 more inches of rear seat room.... that is, enough for an adult to sit in for more than 5 minutes with me (6'1") in the driver's seat

great thread/question

My favorite Avant by appearance: the C4. Timeless.

I went from a B6 Avant to a B7 sedan. I love my current car, and while I don't miss the soccer dad references :-) I miss the utility. So I just figured that when the lease ends in late '08, my timing would be perfect for a B8 Avant, but now that might not be possible.
It's this simple - my street car HAS to be good on Mulholland Drive, Topanga Canyon, Angeles Crest.. all roads I drive for fun when opportunity permits. A Q5 will simply *never* be considered as an option.
Whatever temptation I may have to stay with Audi and join the masses riding high, could only quickly end with buyer's remorse the first time I attempt a quick left-right transition somewhere in the mountains around L.A., and find myself fighting the laws of physics.
I was looking forward to the B8 because there have been many reports of the engine being moved farther back, to help weight distribution - my only real dislike about my current car. But I'll take a clean used B7 S4 Avant with too much weight in the nose over a Q5 with the center of gravity somewhere high up in the atmosphere.

we have a A6 Avant, and A6 based Allroad, and a Q7. I think we are safe, I would be very surprised if Audi decided to not bring the B8 Avant....

If only one of Q5 or B8 Avant makes it here, bet on the Q5.

You are polling a group of audi fanatics a lot of which already have an Avant.

Poll the real world, most people I have know would never buy a wagon. For whatever reason people want SUVs to haul their kids, equipment, etc.

I agree with assertion that there are more Q5 buyers out there in the general US population than there are Avant buyers. I think that's pretty obvious, you only have to look at the relative numbers of BMW X5/X3s on the road compared to Tourings.

The point of my poll however is to show that they are addressing different market segments. There's virtually no overlap. There are virtually no current Avant owners who would want to buy a Q5.

Only Audi can determine if it's worthwhile to import any model into North America. At the current exchange rate, we should be happy that Audi hasn't abandoned the Americas to concentrate on growing markets, like China.

If the B8 Avant were not offered, Subaru would own the wagon market. But that would be terrible for Audi to give away hard-earned market share, especially if the exchage rate ever swings back and more people look at european goods again. I am optimistic that the Avant will continue to be available.