2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro - First Drive Review - Car and Driver
The sports sedans of German automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW have slugged it out toe-to-toe for decades. Since the launch of the 3-series–based BMW X3 in 2004, both Audi and Mercedes have strangely declined to counterpunch, until now. Showing up fashionably late to the so-called compact-luxury sport-utility segment means that Mercedes and Audi face already established competition from the Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, and Land Rover LR2, not to mention BMW’s tidily sized X3. But it... Optional equipment includes Audi Drive Select (ADS), which gives the driver adjustable shocks and transmission settings, as well as variable-ratio steering that works transparently to give the Q5 quick steering at lower speeds and relatively lazy... Although the option is expected to cost a whopping $3000, ADS, especially with the variable-ratio steering feature, gives the Q5 a deftness and carlike feel that is largely missing in other small SUVs. Sculpted in-house by Audi, the Q5 has elements of the A4 as well as the A3. The exterior design is muscular, free of froufrou, and when the vehicle is equipped with the optional 20-inch wheels, it’s remarkably sporty for something 65. 1. Source: www.caranddriver.com
