Consumers understand the deal with the A4 Wagon, as one notes, "Did not want an SUV; simply more weight and a higher center of gravity leads to a dull driving experience. With any Audi you buy, you must get the sport package and Quattro, otherwise you might as well buy something else." Another says, "I never thought I would go for a wagon, but coming out of an SUV I am amazed at how fun this car is to drive. The fuel economy is excellent and the four-cylinder turbo has plenty of power."
SUV $35K-$45K: 2011 Audi Q5
When you choose a small luxury crossover like the Audi Q5, you feel a lot like Goldilocks. SUVs or trucks are too big — oversize gas hogs, really — and you want something smaller and more fuel-efficient. Maybe you're coming from cars that were just a bit too tight for family needs, and it's time for more space. After considerable research in this SUV price range, you decide that with the Q5, "The size is right." Most owners opted for the Premium trim level with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The rest stepped up to the Premium Plus with its 3.2-liter V6 and six-speed transmission. "The 2.0 felt more tossable, and having eight speeds vs. six speeds made this vehicle a blast to drive," one owner says.
Our owner-reviewers agree that the Audi Q5 is "roomy, efficient and beautiful." Tech features and ride and handling score high with them. One swoons: "I have never had a car that was more enjoyable to drive, be in, or look at." The downside is price, though. "She is not cheap," one buyer says. A few note a transmission "hiccup," which the users say is the subject of a voluntary recall and fixable with a reprogramming.
