Test drove Q5 today. Premium plus with nav. Cost $45,000+. It was a very nice vehicle but I was somewhat disappointed. The steering appears quicker and is firmer than the A4. This would be great in a S4, but I don't see the point in a SUV type vehicle where manuverability is probably more important than road feel. The room really seems no better than the A4 even with the rear seat pushed back all the way. The nav. is $3000 which is much too high even if it is excellent. I thought ride, handling, and NVH were very good, and it seemed very solid. In my mind a A4 wagon is a better choice for most people and is $4000 cheaper. A Tiguan similarly equiped is $9000 cheaper. I previously had an allroad and I think it also would be a better choice. I have driven the GLK. It drove well but is cheaply finished and had a smaller back seat. The Infiniti EX is much too small. The LR2 might be a good choice except for reliability issues.

We liked the Q5 better since it seemed to offer a bit more room than the A4 avant. I feel this is due to the taller cabin and panorama sunroof in the Q5 making it feel much more open.

Plus during our test drive, we drove with one adult (salesperson who was 6'2") and two teenagers (the eldest is 6'1") in the back and the kids commented that there was much more room than with three in the back in our allroad and they were not "squished".

Those cars felt like trucks to me

If space was not an issue, would you rather have the A4 Avant? Or does the Q5 handle better? Is there a big difference between the Avant's 4 cylinder turbo vs. the Q5's V6?

Feels like you are driving an A4, with not very much more interior room. I'll checkt he specs, but maybe slightly more headroom, definitely 2 inches or more leg room in back seat, very small rear compartment. I looked as well at a 2007 Q7 4.2 premium loaded with 14k miles for 12 grand less........
hmmmm, what will the wife drive next.....maybe the GL450 trades for the diesel, yet the cost of diesel more than offsets the added fuel efficiency.........MB lease rates seem sig better than Audi

Hmmm. Lots of hype, a great car, but at near 50k?? Nope

I thought handling, ride and performance were very similar between the Q5 and the A4 2.0 sedan. I have not driven an A4 Avant. I think a 2.0T or 2.0TDI option would make the Q5 a better deal in North America. I have driven a BMW X3. I think the room is similar. The Q5 rides better without given up anything in handling and is much better as far as luxury and finish.

Since it's a sportier overall package in ride and handling. The 2.0T in the A4 avant is punchier and the V6 in the Q5 offers a smoother power band, but I guess I am so used to turbo Audis, the V6 left a little to be desired off the line. Handling was tight in the Q5 and again, the A4 avant seems like it would be better for more "spirited" driving due to it's lower profile.

However, since space is an issue and since Audi is regrettably not bringing the new A6 based allroad to the US, the Q5 seems like the next best thing to the current allroad.

hmm I think the GLK, X3,Q5 and Rx350 were all priced about the same here. If your looking for Q5 with the Premium Plus package minus the nav MSRP is around 42-43k. A GLK similarly equipped with no nav MSRP is around 45-47k. The RX350 once you add the Premium Package no nav MSRP 42.8k. and the X3 with similar equipment was about 46k. Out of all of them you most likely could get a nice deal on the X3 right now because there being redesigned for 2010.
The Avant is cheaper but its a wagon not an SUV. Most people that I know who buy SUV's like the fact that your sitting up higher in a SUV versus a car.

My wife and I went to Audi dealership at Woodland Hills to test drive new crossover Audi Q5. Her everyday driver Acura MDX and my is BMW 330i. After test drive X3, Lexus RX350 and Infinity FX35 and EX35 we decided give it a try to Audi new Q5. Test drive was on local streets and a 2 exit of 101 fwy. No need to tell anyone here that interior of this car fantastic and having our current cars with BT and NAVY was very happy to see that NAVY in Audi look very good with good women voice guidance. Doesn't play with audio or navigation menu because this trip to dealership was only to see in person and test drive a vehicle.
Now driving - at start car doesn't accelerate brisk like our MDX (nor BMW) but then pick up and go smooth. Driver position and reach to the panel is excellent. I give car "A+". Got filling that few customers who shopping for X3 will switch to Q5.
My wife has few minor cons - big open sky sunroof in LA at summer when temperature get near 105F - not sure if this is good idea - so if we order this one - delete sunroof will by our choice.
Second - side mirrors is too big for this car - they look good on Q7- but take same observation space and looks like two big shawls.
At the end - not my words- my wife - this is best of SUV that we test drive lately. If financing situation doesn't get worse - this is #1 candidate for summer 2010 European Deliver. Done ED before and both of as can't wait for another one.