Audi Neophyte- trying to decide Q5 versus Cadillac SRX

[The G Man]

Originally Posted by gheffty93 The dealer is correct in the sense that the 2.0T will still be offered, albeit with a little more horsepower. if you value A2DP stereo streaming wait for the 2013. The MMI is a little different with fewer buttons, but other than that they are pretty much the same. The OP is buying the 3.2, not the 2.0T. You are right about the new MMI, its no big deal, not a big improvement.

[gheffty93]

Originally Posted by The G Man

The OP is buying the 3.2, not the 2.0T.

You are right about the new MMI, its no big deal, not a big improvement.

Oh, I see. Guess I didn't read closely enough. Scratch that then. WAIT for the 2013s! the 3.0T will be WORLDS better than the 3.2, which as of now has no advantages over the 2.0T

[BeachRat]

Originally Posted by gheffty93

Oh, I see. Guess I didn't read closely enough. Scratch that then. WAIT for the 2013s! the 3.0T will be WORLDS better than the 3.2, which as of now has no advantages over the 2.0T

There are still a few unanswered questions about the 2013s, including:

1) Availability Date: Lots of chatter that the 2013 Q5 won't be available until Fall, which may make this a moot point for the OP. If you need a new car in time for the school year, you'll likely be out of luck for the 2013s.

2) Possibility of a delayed 3.0T launch. Some talk that the 2013 will being with the 3.2 and switch to the 3.0T later in the year.

All else being equal, I'd wait for the 2013 with the 3.0T and updated MMI, but that may not be an option.

[gheffty93]

yah, I see that. Time is an issue for us as well, but we are getting the 2.0T so we couldn't justify waiting. well My advice to the OP is if you are getting a 2012 just get a 2.0T. The performance difference is pretty much indistinguishable, it's cheaper, and it gets far superior MPG. If you can wait, then go with the 3.0T. The 3.2 just seems underwhelming and antiquated to me.

[The G Man]

I can tell the difference between the 2.0T and the 3.2 on the highway, but you guys are right, there is not enough difference to justify the cost.

[Hockeymonkey]

Having had experience owning both the SRX and the Q5 (my current car), I would say both are nice, I actually think the SRX feels more luxurious inside. The Q5 is way better to drive and the MMI system is better in the Q5. Biggest reason though is the gas mileage. The SRX drinks gas and I never even got close to the highway mileage rating. I was always on the low end of the city MPG rating. The SRX was reliable and never really had any issues. The Q5 2.0T engine is awesome in my opinion and my wife also loves it and has never said the SRX feels faster (in fact she though the Q5 had the bigger engine).
As far as waiting for the 2013 model - I love the '12 model LED better. The MMI bluetooth streaming can be done with the 2012 model by buying the right cable. I also probably was not going to pay for the additional $30/mo charge for MMI audi connect - I would rather just use my iPhone hotspot. So in the end I decided not to wait and purchase the 2012.

[js from nc]

My wife drives the SRX as her regular car, it just went past 12k miles, but I drive it on long trips. My Q5 3.2 is approaching 60k, so the SRX is becoming more our "road trip" car. The Q is much more a driver's car; power, towing, handling, braking gas mileage it's the hands down winner. Didn't have any snow this winter so I can't comment about which AWD works better. The SRX is a little nicer inside, the seats are about even, and the SRX had some nicer storage and convenience touches. My Premium Plus had a nice stereo but not as good as the SRX. And the SRX' navigation is so superior it's not funny. Plus the SRX has a lot more vehicle info, particularly tire pressure - really annoys me Audi doesn't have this function. The Q did have more repair issues the first 10k - 3 DRL replacements and the water pump, and the rear seat rattle. The SRX, nothing. My wife would probably choose the SRX to drive all the time. Despite five times a much mileage on the Q, I would choose it as my every day ride.