Test Drive Audi Q5 since 2008 SUV

All photos Audi Q5 since 2008

Problem of choice. Need compact SUV up to 50,000 euros

Alexey Kozin, 38 years old, manager, driving experience 17 years old, goes to Ford Mondeo. Wants modern compact SUV. Budget: 50000.
A good car is not the worst investment. Yes, and there is no way to go in essence: on the nose summer season. Waving all the past summer with trips outside the city on your Ford Mondeo, I realized that it was time to change it to something higher and all-wheel drive. But from the wealth of choice head went around!

Image - I would like to do a modern car, on which it would not be ashamed to appear in a good society!
Style - I have no hard prejudice against automotive stylistics. The car simply must be the most organic.
Economicity - the fact today is important, but not decisive.
Hanging Quality - I am not a racer, and the engine power for me is not an end in itself, but the controllability means a lot.
Interior - Ergonomics, functionality and finishing quality are primary.
Equipment - without excesses, but also from elements that make life more pleasant, I'm not going to refuse.

On the one hand, a new car should allow any weather without any problems to get to the family phasenda. On the other hand, do not bind arm and legs in the city, providing maximum freedom to Moscow streets. Compact SUV! What could be better! But here it happened a snag. A class in which a year ago freedom of choice was very limited, suddenly began to grow as on yeast. As if especially for me, leading manufacturers with the driver's rapidity began to release new models to the market: Audi Q5, Infiniti EX35, Mercedes-Benz Glk, Volvo XC60 ... Eyes ran away. Every new suv I liked more than the previous one, and I finally confused. Static test at the Moscow Motor Show of My Dilemma in the square did not allow. Now all hope for dynamic tests of the favorite magazine. Go!

Audi Q5 40500.
Selected, because: Attractive price and operational efficiency is favorably distinguished by this car
With the form of the design Q5, probably the most conservative of the whole big four. I did not see any of the sizes and frills. But most importantly, nothing annoys.
Salon Q5 pleases the volume, not only for the driver, but also for the front passenger. Passengers of the rear seat were made a lot of feet places. The volume trunk is equipped with rails of cargo fixation system. But the converse of the conditional far on it will not leave.
The interior is decorated in German strictly, practical and efficiently. Good visibility is provided by large outer mirrors. In the cabin, everything is calm, maybe even a bit more commonly, but in its place. Me, with my modest requirements after Ford Mondeo, everything suits. Especially since the ergonomics, according to my subjective sensations, is close to the ideal. From the first minutes you feel yourself in the cabin as if I traveled all my life: no need to set anything. Habituation is none.
The most modest of the entire fourth SUV 2? A liter turbocharged motor of 211 liters. with. However, it provides good dynamic indicators. 7? Step transmission supports the entire possible potential of the turbocharged motor in the tone. In the dynamics of Q5, it is very tearing from the flow. Although little thoughtfulness at the triggement of Kikdaun is still felt. Somewashes Audi's fervor and the presence of strict collars in the form of ESP with emergency braking assistant. Although good stability and acute control periodically make it possible to forget about the annoying work of electronic passive safety systems.

Style
Unassuming appearance, the internal dimensions are much larger than it seems from the outside. Modest

Challenges
The engine and the box in the pair behave quite reasonably, acceleration is very living (especially in sports mode). Optimally

Interior
Salon really like everything at the place. You do not need to get used. Planting places, both the driver and passengers, comfortable. Overview is good! Especially liked large rearview mirrors. Conveniently

Economy
It is difficult to achieve savings at a turbocharged motor on a full drive with a mass of two tons, but you can: 8.5 liters per 100 km. Fine

Equipment in standard
Decent. Especially pleased with the functional equipment of the trunk: there is an electric drive and partition, hooks and a grid for different scents. Worthy

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Large mirrors, great visibility.
- Modest dance, pensive kykdown.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Audi Q5
Dimensions - 4629x1880x1653 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1984 cm3, 211 hp / 43006000 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 7-speed KP
Dynamics - 222 km / h; 7.2 s to 100 km / h

Infiniti EX35 44000.
Selected, because: glorified Japanese quality, multiplied by modern technologies, give a striking attracting effect
In this quartet, Infiniti EX35 is noticeable as an Asian in the crowd of Europeans: soft features, a specific eye cut, modest growth. Thanks to the latter, the car resembles, rather, merchant-shaped hatchback. I add ribbed waves in the sidewalls to this sidewalls, littered to the roof of the roof, the fifth door with a large angle of inclination of the glass, and the accuracy of the mentioned image will not even cause the shadow of doubt. But I don't like it in it: the car is too feminine, or something. Let's say, I see more at the wheel of EX35 my best half than yourself. However, there would be just driving, and I myself would love to be happy. In the interior, the car will easily give odds to the other Europeanoids, demonstrating the reference attitude towards the driver! Magnificent materials, friendly interface, comfortable seats with a bunch of settings, ahead. But from behind with a place is tugged, and the trunk is only in the store for a weekly dose of dietary food in a modest to dart.
But do it can be in all the fat 302 horses 3.5? Lithing motor! From the place of the car literally tears, acceleration is given to him easily, the power supply under the pedal seems to be inexhaustible. All maneuvering EX35 makes it easy, while remaining controlled. In general, solid pads and fun! Slightly dilutes the picture of the overall joy of the machine, which seemed to me non-optimal for transmission of power on the wheels: it happens to him unpleasantly thoughtful with intensive acceleration.

Style
This bright car undoubtedly deserves attention. But for me, his design is too sophisticated to be courageous, and therefore EX is more suitable for the female floor. Manicure

Challenges
The dynamics are so easy, and the behavior on the road is so clear that it seems as if you manage the machine from your favorite computer game, not once. Crying

Interior
Just class! You can leave the car only under the pistol don. However, I already spoke. Genil

Economy
In the theory of appetite, Infiniti EX35 consists of 12.3 liters per 100 km of run, but it is quite difficult to achieve this in practice. Doubtful

Equipment in standard
Equipment in Standard: Great! So write, big letters! Atas!

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Stunning dynamic qualities, attractive interior.
- Modest trunk, feminine design exterior.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Infiniti EX35
Dimensions - 4635x1800x1600 mm
Engine - gasoline, 3498 cm3, 302 hp / 6800 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 5-speed KP.
Dynamics - 231 km / h; 6.9 s to 100 km / h

Mercedes-Benz GLK 48000
Selected, because: in terms of prestige and representativeness Stuttgart cars have always been a benchmark
Mercedes-Benz Glk Scoorable Aryan appearance attracts. Acute, chopped forms make the car as brutal as Audi Q5. Even in color silver metallic, he looks harsh. Yes, and the three-beam star on the radiator grille adds status. The only thing that is controversial for me in this Mercedes is the low belt line. From the point of view of security, this is excellent visibility at the height. But too large windows create an impression of aquarium. Therefore, give a clear answer to the question of how I feel his appearance, I can not. All is well, but there are nuances.
But there are no complaints to the GLK salon. Here everything is in Mercedovski strictly, concise and functionally. True, you need to get used to the steering switches. There are no on the right at all, but the left of the whole two. The classic layout of the submissive switches for me is much more convenient.
In motion, even in the most comfortable mode of suspension, Mercedes-Benz GLK is very dense. Like the steering wheel, it is short and with good effort. Informativeness is high, as a result, good handling. Please be rapid feedback on the steering wheel. That's what I would like to add, so it is more sharp brakes. The feeling that they lack them with a 3.5 liter motor with a capacity of 272 liters. With. and this weight of the car. There are no complaints to manageability, everything is maximally balanced.
Summarizing, we can say that inside the GLK liked more than outside. But with Volvo, everything is just up to the opposite!

Style
On the one hand, Mercedes-Benz GLK looks strictly and brutally due to the abundance of rectilinear lines. On the other hand, I do not like the low window line, an impression of aquarium is created. Weird

Challenges
Steering is sharp and informative. I like. Sharp

Interior
The appearance caused two feelings, and the salon immediately liked. All strictly, concise and functionally. Strictly

Economy
The manufacturer promises a very moderate consumption of 10.4 liters per 100 km, but with our skills about savings you can forget, especially with such a motor at 3.5 liters. Decent

Equipment in standard
It is worth a lot, but the basic equipment pleases the long list of available options selected from the point of view of the need. Worthy

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Excellent dynamot challenges, representative appearance.
- Some angular design, hinged monitors on the backs of the chairs and I want to tear off.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Mercedes-Benz GLK
Dimensions - 4525x1840x1689 mm
Engine - gasoline, 3498 cm3, 272 hp / 6000 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 7-speed KP
Dynamics - 230 km / h; 6.7 ° C. up to 100 km / h

Volvo XC60 45000.
Selected, because: attracts its rapid design and intrigues unrelated electronic systems
Volvo XC60 attracts attention even before you get behind the wheel. Contrary to those who have developed ideas about the calm and low-speed Scandinavian design of Volvo, XC60, of course, the most extravagant and attractive model from the entire large four of small SUV. It is impossible not to fall in love with it!
The salon is very modern and ergonomic. I adapted fast enough. The only thing that did not like is: the leg rests on a wide beard of the central console. Slightly disappointed slippery skin and weak side support of the front seats: the impression that you are more behind the steering wheel.
Taking three modes of setting the variative suspension, a special difference in the comfort of the car, to be honest, I did not feel. But in controllability, yes: in the Sport and Advanced modes, the car stands in turns much more clearly. The box works softly, the retardation at the kicdaun is much shorter than the Q5. As a result, Volvo, as befits this brand, is smoothly as an sea liner.
A rich electronic filling, which includes adaptive cruise control with the function of automatic braking and the unique system of City Safety, is impressive at the first dating. However, in order to truly begin to trust these systems, it is necessary to get into the car. And do it in the course
a short trial test drive practically
maybe.

Style
The brightest and youth appearance from the entire large fourth of small SUVs. Bright

Challenges
The variability of the steering and suspension settings simply amazes. I will not say that the difference in modes is so great. But this set did not have to see such a set of configuration functions. Together with excellent base settings of the chassis, it is practically nothing to do. Variatives

Interior
Everything is in place: worthy and ergonomically. But personally for me the interior is too motley and slippery. Too

Economy
11.9 l per 100 km for a car with 3? The liter turbo engine is quite acceptable. Fine

Equipment in standard
City Safety and a full-sized dancer favorably distinguish the car from competitors. Good

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Stunning equipment of the basic version of the auxiliary electronics.
- Slipping upholstery, weak side support, pale navigation.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Volvo XC60
Dimensions - 4628x1891x1713 mm
Engine - gasoline, 2953 cm3, 285 hp / 5600 min-1
Transmission - automatic, 6-speed KP
Dynamics - 209 km / h; 7.5 s to 100 km / h

Editor's Choice
All four cars equally can claim the championship. The choice of editions in favor of Volvo XC60 today predetermined two factors: more recent and rapid design and richest equipment innovative auxiliary electronics systems, including the City Safety authorized.

My choice
From the point of view of design, GLK seemed to be too glass and angular, extinguished. Q5 and XC60, though cheaper of competitors, but externally like me much more. And each in its own way. Audi has a more brutal design, Volvo has a rapid flying, the most catchy of all. Both approaches are modern and have the right to exist. But x60 is still designed for a little more youth audience. I am already old for him. The design of Audi, for a person more relaxed and is not a rush anywhere, it is suitable for me. In addition, Q5 seemed to me much more functional, ergonomic and economical.

Photo: Sergey Crostes