Compared: Audi Q5 Vs. BMW X3 Vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK

By  Marty Padgett

June 12th, 2009

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2009 Audi Q5

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2009 BMW X3-Series 30i

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2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK

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For your shopping pleasure, three German SUVs--each one spun from the parts bin at their respective automakers to satisfy an emerging demand. What do buyers like you want? Sport-utility convenience, without the sheer bulk of the full-size utes falling out of favor with every rise in gas prices. A nice badge with some street cred wouldn't hurt., either.

What do these three have for you? Seats for five passengers, six-cylinder engines, all-weather capability and distinct personalities to go with their semi-lofty pricetags--not to mention the ability to slide easily into normal parking spaces.

Which one ranks best? Sounds like time for a comparison from TheCarConnection.com between the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.

By now you know TheCarConnection.com rates vehicles for styling, performance, safety, comfort and utility, and features. From there, we arrive at an overall score, based on each vehicle's individual merits and on its competitiveness in its class of cars, vans, trucks or SUVs. We also let you compare cars of your choice, side by side, to see how they stack up in price, fuel economy, and by our editors' ratings.

We also do our own comparisons based on our experts' hands-on road tests. For example, TCC's editors have driven each of these vehicles in various forms, in locations around the country and in Europe, to be able to explain the ratings and to help you make your own decision.

Which of these three is best for you? First, know that each of these three compact luxury SUVs has been introduced or revamped in the past two years. The BMW X3 was refreshed in 2008 with an improved ride and a smoother shape; the Audi Q5 emerged brand-new in 2009; and the Mercedes-Benz GLK arrived late last year as a 2010 model.They're state of the art, in the small-luxury-ute segment. They're similar in size, equipment, and mission, too. Each of these compact utes has a six-cylinder engine, an automatic transmission, and available four-wheel drive (it's standard on the Q5 and X3, an option on the GLK). Maybe most important to you, each wears a luxury-brand badge that conveys a certain standing in the world far more effectively than the badges on other very pleasant vehicles like the Volvo XC60, Infiniti EX35, even the Acura RDX.

Among them, one tops the TCC ratings by a small margin. Of Germany's most prestigious, pint-sized SUVs, which one is the most highly rated by TheCarConnection.com?

We'll compare Audi Q5 vs. BMW X3 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK shortly. But first, the basics:

2009 Audi Q5

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2009 Audi Q5

The basics: 3.2-liter V-6 with 270 horsepower; six-speed automatic; all-wheel drive standard

Price: $37,200

Fuel economy: 18/23 mpg

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

The Audi Q5 is new for 2009, and scores highly for its suave looks and its spacious interior. Editors liked its appealing style, inside and out; the quality feel of cabin and controls; its ample V-6 power; and its standard all-wheel-drive.

On the flip side, the Q5's Drive Select system feels gimmicky when one setting for ride quality would be fine. Steering is too heavy in all modes of Drive Select, and with that $2950 option and others, the Audi Q5 becomes a pricey addition to the class, with a $50,000 sticker possible.

Our Bottom Line? The 2009 Audi Q5 sports the sleek lines of a sweet German sedan, a date-worthy cabin, and good but gimmicky, hefty handling.

2009 BMW X3-Series 30i

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2009 BMW X3

The basics: 3.0-liter in-line six with 260 horsepower; six-speed manual or automatic; all-wheel drive standard

Price: $39,700

Fuel economy: 16/23 mpg

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

The revamped BMW X3 is substantially improved, and editors have noted how the settled-down ride and upgraded cabin make the X3 feel more luxurious than prior versions. Strong acceleration, a smartly styled cabin, standard all-wheel drive and the availability of a manual transmission are all pluses for the X3.

Negatives for the 2009 BMW X3 include a tight back seat, choppy styling outside, and handling that comes close to but doesn't match the enviable responses of BMW's cars. Fuel economy is lower than the Audi Q5's as well.

Our Bottom Line? The 2009 BMW X3 is a more rugged alternative to a sport wagon, but it's not as much fun to drive.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK

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2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK

The basics: 3.5-liter V-6 with 268 horsepower; seven-speed automatic; all-wheel drive available

Price: $34,900

Fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-ute bears a strong resemblance to the larger GL-Class, and that is a good thing--for the most part. Our editors like the upright styling, but it simply looks less upscale than the curvy Audi Q5 or the Volvo XC60. The GLK's smooth ride quality, carlike acceleration and grip defy its SUV shape, but the roomy cabin and cargo area confirm its utility even before you load it with people and stuff.

Like other SUVs in this class, the GLK's steering can feel light for a vehicle of its size and height. It's pricey, for sure, not compared to the other Germans but to economy-brand sport-utes in the same size class. Of all these vehicles, only the GLK is offered in rear-drive form, which cuts the price but could also affect resale value, depending on your geography and weather. And even with an extra gear in the transmission, the GLK gets the worst fuel economy in this select group.

Our Bottom Line? The smaller, nimbler 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK sport-ute has come to America at just the right time for Mercedes; where's our diesel version?

2009 Audi Q5, Covington, Ga.

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The Winner: 2009 Audi Q5

The 2009 Audi Q5 sports the sleek lines of a sweet German sedan, a date-worthy cabin, and good but gimmicky, hefty handling.

The Competition

You might not think the Audi Q5 is exactly the right car for you--and the other German SUVs may not fit the bill, either. So what's left in this size and price class? If you're still looking for rugged lines and all-terrain travel, Land Rover's LR2 is a square-jawed niche player in the group, with true four-wheeling bred in its blocky silhouette.

The next pair, the Acura RDX and Infiniti EX35, share Japanese heritage, but feel radically different. The RDX's pulsing turbocharged four-cylinder feels at odds with its mission, while the EX35's teensy cargo area leads to questions about its SUV classification.

Last, the soft and comfy SUVs in this group include the Lexus RX, a luxury favorite with little driving feel and a hybrid model; the new Volvo XC60, a sleek and fairly quick-footed SUV with a marvelous interior; and the Cadillac SRX, a new entry in this size class with crisp styling and good on-road maneuvers.

Compare Cars

You can view this comparison chart at our Compared: Audi Q5 Vs. BMW X3 Vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK page.

Also, you can compare cars of your own choosing at TheCarConnection.com. Just stop at our car comparison page, select your choices for vehicle type, price range, model year, and brands, and then choose up to three to compare on a single page.

Audi Q5 --The Winner,

by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 18th 2008 at 11:05AM

When the money gurus converge on Davos Switzerland for their annual confab next week they will again be shuttled around in a fleet of Audi A8s. The 81 cars provided by Volkswagen's premium division will be propelled by 3.0L V-6 TDI engines. For the first time Audi will be using GTL fuel provided by Shell. The gas-to-liquid diesel fuel is produced from natural gas and allows the fuel consumption to be reduced by 10 percent compared to the cars used last year. Unlike conventional petroleum diesel, the GTL fuel has no sulfur or aromatic compounds. Some of the benefits of GTL diesel include a 93 percent drop in carbon monoxide emissions, and a 30 percent cut in NOx emissions with no engine modifications. The chauffeur fleet is expected to emit 13 percent less CO₂ this year than in 2007. Audi has already been using GTL diesel in the R10 TDI Le Mans racers for the past two seasons.

[Source: Audi, thanks to Christian for the tip]

Audi fleet at the World Economic Forum:
13 percent lower CO2 emissions

? Brand with four rings offers chauffeur service in Davos
? Cars are powered by environmentally sound GTL fuel
? Diesel fleet of 81 Audi A8 3.0 TDI models deployed

Audi will premiere a new fuel concept at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 in Davos, Switzerland, from January 23 to 27. The brand with the four rings, which provides a chauffeur service at the World Economic Forum, will power its complete fleet of Audi A8 models with environmentally sound 'GTL (gas-to-liquid) Fuel' for the first time. In combination with efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, the fuel will allow CO2 emissions from the Audi fleet to be reduced by about 13 percent compared to last year. "We develop innovative premium cars that are environmentally friendly to drive. Our highly efficient TDI and TFSI engines are proof of this. The fact that our Audi A8 diesel fleet in Davos will be using GTL fuel also shows that we are working intensively toward achieving sustainable mobility," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG.

Preparations include construction of a GTL filling station next to the Audi pavilion in Davos. The synthetic fuel, made from natural gas, will be provided by Shell. Thanks to the combination of TDI and GTL, fuel consumption is also cut by about 10 percent, while carbon monoxide emissions drop an amazing 93 percent. Sulfur dioxide emissions are completely eliminated. A total of 81 Audi A8 sedans with 3.0 TDI diesel engines will be deployed at the WEF in Davos.

GTL Fuel is produced synthetically through a chemical reaction, is crystal-clear and is free of sulfur and aromatics. This results in nitric oxide (NOx) being reduced by up to 30 percent. And most notably, the fuel can be used for all Audi models fitted with a TDI engine without requiring any retrofitting measures.

Audi has already tested GTL Fuel under extreme conditions ? and with excellent results. In the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 and 2007, the race-winning Audi R10 with a TDI engine was powered with a special diesel mixture that consisted largely of GTL fuel. These victories were the first for a diesel-powered racing car in this major sports car endurance event.

The chauffeur service for participants at the WEF will employ an 81-strong fleet of silver Audi A8 models ? all of them long-wheelbase versions featuring quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Another first is that these luxury sedans are all fitted with a 3.0 TDI diesel engine. This six-cylinder engine generates 233 hp, yet requires an average of just 8.5 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers. There are also twelve armored Audi A8 models for transporting VIPs who require higher security.

Audi has been the exclusive provider of this service in Davos since 1987. The annual meeting of economics experts and politicians in Switzerland has become something of a tradition for the Audi chauffeur service. Monarchs, heads of government, ministers, business leaders and other prominent personalities from all over the world have been chauffeured in the comfort of an Audi A8 at this event

A8L Shell diesel GTL,

Super, Thanks for Asking

By Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor Email | Blog
Date posted: 06-18-2009

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Did the 2009 Audi A6 just get back from vacation? It looks so...refreshed.

It might look very similar to last year's A6, but after closer inspection, we notice that some minor nipping and tucking have gotten this aging Hollywood starlet prepared for another red-carpet season.

But that's not the only reason the 2009 Audi A6 is looking so perky and uplifted. Besides new headlights, it has a more efficient V6 engine with a supercharger.

A Supercharger, You Say?
Isn't that word reserved for modified American V8 dragsters? What's a supercharger doing on an upwardly mobile six-cylinder Audi sedan? The answer: providing power in a more efficient package.

Replacing last year's normally aspirated V6 that produced 255 horsepower, this new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 is capable of 300 hp, getting close to the V8's 350 hp but for $10,000 less.

Despite worldwide sales that outpace its main competitors, the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, Audi sold only 12,000 examples of the A6 in the U.S. last year, so it hopes that this blast of power will spur some market interest. But can a midsize sedan with a supercharged V6 be relevant in these fuel-conscious times? According to the EPA, this new, efficient Audi V6 is rated at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. While on paper this is only 1 mpg better than last year, it's important to remember that this new V6 is producing 50 hp more.

Back to Its Roots
Audi has a long tradition in auto racing, and now that it's celebrating its 100th anniversary, the company makes references to its famous supercharged Auto Union racing cars of the 1930s all the time. You know, supercharged power. But aside from the heritage thing, a supercharger is also a little easier to package with the 2009 Audi A6's V6 engine than a turbocharger, and this compact, Roots-type compressor easily fits inside the vee between the cylinder banks of the V6.

As with any supercharger, it's the quick response that you notice. With short intake tracts after the compressor complemented by direct fuel injection, the power builds quickly without the typical lag of a turbocharged engine.

The maximum torque of 310 pound-feet is available at a low 2,500 rpm and remains constant through 4,850 rpm, much like the broad power band of those triumphant Auto Union racers of old. And the mechanically driven compressor keeps making boost as long as the engine is spinning, so power eventually works up to 300 hp at 5,100 rpm.

Although Audi has kept the nomenclature for the A6 3.0T, the T no longer denotes turbocharged. Perhaps in the modern era it stands for "tradition" or "technology."

Behind the Wheel
Under normal driving conditions, the new 3.0T feels powerful and responsive while mated to Audi's smooth six-speed automatic transmission with its Tiptronic manual-shift feature. The supercharged V6 makes a pleasant sound, and driving the car around town is fun and comfortable.

At our test track, the 2009 Audi A6 3.0T goes from zero to 60 mph in a moderately stimulating 5.8 seconds (5.5 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip). We pass the quarter-mile mark in 14.0 seconds at 99.4 mph. (The use of traction and stability control makes no difference to the times.) While these numbers aren't bad, the A6 isn't going to rip the doors off a twin-turbo BMW 5 Series, but it will rub the nose of the Mercedes E-Class V6 in it. This new A6 3.0T certainly outpaces the base A6 with its V6 and continuously variable transmission, while the long-in-the-tooth A6 V8 looks irrelevant in a gas-guzzling sort of way. The A6 3.0T's top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

Bringing the car back down from speed proves a little inconsistent, although thankfully not exciting. The brakes earn a good rating in our instrumented testing but the stopping distances are not spectacularly short. With Continental ContiPro Contact all-season tires to work with, the A6 3.0T comes to a halt from 60 mph in 121 feet on our best run. There is no fade apparent in pedal effort and we are always confident the car will stop, yet the stopping distance did vary by 5 feet over the course of several runs.

The 3.0T proved surprisingly average in our handling evaluations as well. Through the 600-foot slalom, the A6 makes it through our orange cones at 64.6 mph. But the retuned suspension is still not well-suited to this car. This slightly sporty A6 strives for a comfortable ride and dynamic handling, but manages to be swishy and stiff-legged at the same time. Lots of body roll is disappointingly apparent through the cones and the steering is somewhat uncommunicative. The 3.0T even feels wobbly while making left turns at regular city intersections. Nice leather-wrapped steering wheel, though.

On the skid pad, the 2009 Audi A6 pulls 0.81g. With all-wheel drive and all-season tires, we get lots of understeer. We expect a more vibrant track performance from Audi, yet we have to admit that this remains a nice car when you're driving around town.

The Experience
Audi is known to whittle away at things until it gets them just right, and the '09 A6 3.0T's design tweaks include new front headlamps with daytime-running LED lights in horizontal strips, a feature inspired by the resplendent Audi R8. (When you've made the most beautiful car of the year, you might as well steal from it as much as possible.) A new front bumper and grille also have gone under the knife for a Hollywood-style fascia-lift.

Our test model came equipped with the Prestige package, which adds $5,100 worth of stuff to make you look more prestigious. How did we ever live without a trip computer that is in color? But seriously, the things that matter in this package are 18-inch wheels, navigation, rearview camera, itty-bitty shift paddles and very intelligent headlights that are adaptive and self-leveling and bend the space-time continuum around corners.

The A6's interior dimensions are unchanged, but some aluminum touches have been splashed around and some new materials have been used. The two-tone treatment in black and amaretto looks attractive on the seats but the brownish headliner makes the space seem a little claustrophobic. Any Broadway baby will tell you that head-to-toe black would be more slimming.

Complications ensue when we try to wrestle with the MMI interface, which never lets you fully have manual control. For example, we could never get the air-conditioning just the way we wanted it. We want the fan to be on level 3. It adjusts to 7. We dial it back to 3. It gives us 1. We scream and dial it back to 3. It compromises and gives us 5. We admit defeat and open the windows.

Hot and Cold
While the 2009 Audi A6 3.0T is altogether pleasant, it should be better. It just doesn't get our blood pumping. Audi's only consolation is that the BMW 5 Series seems just as lost, while the new Mercedes E-Class.... Well, you really need the V8 in that car.

These midsize luxury performance sedans are in the middle of an identity crisis. They want to be fast, they want high horsepower numbers on their window stickers, but they know a lot of people want them for status and luxury more than raciness.

So what you get here is a slick-looking commuter vehicle, a comfortable companion for road trips and the opportunity to boast about the supercharger at the office espresso machine. Since most people don't spend their weekends wringing out their daily driver at a racetrack, making a choice between sporty handling and luxurious ride comfort might not matter. Instead they're happy to compromise.

But compromises rarely result in something spectacular.

Perhaps the very mention of the word "supercharged" will be enough to make the 2009 Audi A6 3.0 T do boffo box office. But you can't count on being a starlet forever. Sooner or later you won't be ready for your close-up and you'll have to learn to tread the boards with the big boys.

A6 3.0T,

Audi to supply GTL-fueled diesel A8s for World Economic Forum,

Posted by Jeff Glucker on Monday, June 22, 2009 8:12 AM

Tags: audi, audi a3 tdi, diesel, nadaguides, turbo diesel, clean diesel

The Audi A3 TDI carries the updated styling cues seen throughout the entire lineup, and wears them nicely.

Let?s play a word association game; when I say diesel what words come to mind? If you said: smelly, loud, sluggish, and/or boring you would be correct when referring to old diesels but you would be very wrong when talking about what is currently available. Need further proof of this? The Audi A3 TDI is here and more than happy to oblige.


If you could not tell, this is in fact a diesel-powered Audi A3.

The first thing I noticed when turning the key of this A3 TDI is the 2.0L turbo diesel comes to life not with a sputter and burble, but with a quiet purr. There is no old diesel rumbling, no old diesel exhaust stench and no old diesel noise. This new clean diesel technology in the Audi is run on common rail direct injection and piezoelectric injectors for smooth and efficient performance at all speeds.

I addressed a few of the many words that spring to mind when thinking of old diesels, but let?s focus on the last one which was boring. Gone are the days of pushing down the gas pedal, waiting 10 seconds and then the car is off in a manner that is the exact opposite of a hurry. This A3 TDI is good for 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers don?t sound like much but all that torque is available at just 1,750 rpm. When I step on the gas - the car goes. Once I am moving, the A3 also handles surprisingly well for a heavy FWD car. It is fitted with multilink independent rear suspension and speed sensitive steering. I can feel the rigidity of the TDI frame when engaging a few twisties on a local back road.


Audi always does stylish, simple, and sporty really well.

This A3 is equipped with Audi?s S-Tronic transmission. It is a dual-clutch system and can be driven as a pure automatic, or I can decide when to shift by using the steering-wheel mounted paddles, or by moving the gear selector over to the right and moving it back and forth for up and down gear shifts. The paddles responded quicker than I expected, but I still would have preferred a manual transmission. In full automatic mode the transmission wanted to shift through the gears a little quicker than I would have liked, but this can be solved by moving the gear selector over to the right and placing the car into sport mode.


If you drive the A3 TDI, you will not need to also own the other items in the background of this photo.

The real hallmark of this Audi A3 TDI is the fuel economy. Everyone loves to brag about their fuel economy in their hybrid, so I am going to brag about my fuel economy in this diesel. I was consistently hitting 40+ mpg every day on both the highway and around town. At one point my wife and I were driving back from Temecula, CA and she had fallen asleep in the passenger seat, the air-conditioning was on and I was cruising at a good clip - and hitting 43 (forty-three) miles per gallon.


See!

The interior has the blend of sporty and luxury that Audi does extremely well. The front seats are nicely bolstered and alcantara/leather blend which looks good. The steering wheel feels great in my hand and the basic audio and phone controls are located here as well. Many folks might gripe at Audi?s MMI (Multi-Media Interface) system, but I find it to be fairly intuitive and I can find my way around it with relative ease. Thankfully in this updated version they have relegated the HVAC controls to an analog setup for easier manipulation.

The car looks great on the outside as well thanks in no small part to those stunning daytime running LED lights. It is a stylish wagon, though Audi calls it a hatchback because the word wagon scares them for some reason. The A3 TDI is a great entry point into the Audi family of cars and wears the overall aesthetic of the four rings quite nicely.

The Audi A3 TDI I reviewed was a 2009 European version. It carried a few goodies that we won?t see when this car comes to the US market as a 2010 model next spring. I was excited to try out the euro-only self parallel-parking system. It worked ok, but when going in reverse the A3 felt the need to do it as fast as possible. This was quite scary and every time I tried it I thought I was going to slam into the car behind me, so I interrupted the process by stepping on the brakes. Once I put the car back into drive, the system completed the parking and everything was good. It doesn?t matter at this point though, since we won?t be seeing this system anytime soon.

The Audi A3 TDI is a great small luxury car that can help change what people think about diesel engines. The car is quiet, comfortable, has plenty of low-end power, and can hit the 40 mpg mark with relative ease. Pricing has not been released, but I expect it to start in the low $30K range since the 2009 Audi A3 starts in the mid-$20K range and moves up from there.

A3 TDI,

Road Test Review: Audi A3 TDI,