[fedinand]

I liked the Q5 a lot and would have probably purchased one if the X3 wasn't as good as it is. I personally want to thank Audi for making it so good - I think that competition is what made the X3 as good as it is!

[sfax]

Originally Posted by Mako

actually, I park next to a Q5 at work all the time (on purpose) and I think the X3 (35i M Sport) looks BETTER than the Q5, the Q5 is too rounded in my opinion.

It does look too rounded, particularly from the sides but the front and back looks better IMO. X3 definitely the more aggressive looking. The size of the alloys also makes the world of difference on the Q5. Standard alloys in space grey = very average, 20" S-Line in white or black with xenons = very nice

[BBMk]

I think both cars are good. My opinion is BMW X3 drives better; however, the Audi Q5 is finished better.

To be honest both cars are priced very closely in the Canadian market. From the lease quotes I received, BMW has a higher RV or Buyout at the end of term. I think would the weakening US dollar the BMW is actually going to be worth less because Canadians have the option of importing used BMWs from the US. ( there is about a $7K difference at list ) Which makes me think...why would I buy out my car after the lease term...I could get a used X5 for the same price.

[ivanoski]

Originally Posted by BIMMER UK 76

Q5 mentioned hundreds of times

Q5 looks better, drives worse - simple

my opinion Q5 looks worse and drives worse

[TSM330i]

I've driven both the Q5 3.2 (my bosses) and the X3 3.5 and now own the X3 2.8 (wife's).

The Q5 felt nice and solid, no difference between the two vehicles and space is VERY similar for both. Styling I prefer the X3, but I can see why some may prefer the Q5 (it's not like an EX 35 Infinity - UGLY).

Driving dynamics is where the main differences come to play.
Steering:
Feel in the Q5 is non-existent. It is light and overboosted.
X3 is much better than the Audi, but you still have the same feeling as most electric power steering systems vs. the old hydraulic units. My wife complained that she doesn't have the same feedback as she did in her old 3-series. I told her the new 3 will be very similar to the X3 and that's just the way they are today.
Ride:
Q5 is very choppy and didn't feel controlled over mid-corner bumps. It just kind of bounces around and doesn't feel planted. My bosses Q5 has the S-line package with 19" wheels.
X3 is so much more controlled and feels very planted all the time. You really feel confident flinging it into a corner. I've driven with both 18" (the demo drive) and 17" out vehicle. I'll have to see how the ride and handling change once I put on 19" summer wheels in the spring. I'm more than likely going to get rid of the runflats, so I don't think the ride and handling will be affected as badly, plus, the wheels I'm more than likely going to get will be under 25lbs so weight won't be an issue.
Engine:
Q5 was good with 270hp. No complaints.
X3 2.8 with 240hp n/a 6 is more than adequate. Still breaking the engine in so we haven't really stepped on it, but it does NOT feel slow at all.
X3 3.5 with 300hp turbo 6 - WOW! Rocket.

[jbinbi]

great info. I am thinking that I am going to test drive the x3 and the rx350. I know this is the q5 vs. x3 thread, and didn't think the rx would fall into this category, but the rx is 5" longer, same width, and 2.3" taller. That is alot closer than I thought!

I had the original rx300 and it was a great car. I don't expect it to be as sporty as the x3, but it has 270 hp now and weighs only 100 lbs more than the x3, so i might be surprised. not wanting to hijack this thread, has anyone looked at this vs. the x3?

[sfax]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

great info. I am thinking that I am going to test drive the x3 and the rx350. I know this is the q5 vs. x3 thread, and didn't think the rx would fall into this category, but the rx is 5" longer, same width, and 2.3" taller. That is alot closer than I thought!

I had the original rx300 and it was a great car. I don't expect it to be as sporty as the x3, but it has 270 hp now and weighs only 100 lbs more than the x3, so i might be surprised. not wanting to hijack this thread, has anyone looked at this vs. the x3?

rx350. It's already discussed in quite a few threads including one you started

[brissim]

Originally Posted by jbinbi

great info. I am thinking that I am going to test drive the x3 and the rx350. I know this is the q5 vs. x3 thread, and didn't think the rx would fall into this category, but the rx is 5" longer, same width, and 2.3" taller. That is alot closer than I thought!

I had the original rx300 and it was a great car. I don't expect it to be as sporty as the x3, but it has 270 hp now and weighs only 100 lbs more than the x3, so i might be surprised. not wanting to hijack this thread, has anyone looked at this vs. the x3?

The thing that actually surprises me about this and similar X3 vs Q5 threads is what about the XC60. I must admit in arriving at our choice of the X3, the Q5 was knocked out early in the race and in the end it was between the XC60 and X3. Might be different with the diesel models available here in Oz and pricing.

Tony

[jbinbi]

Originally Posted by sfax

rx350. It's already discussed in quite a few threads including one you started

funny. between this bmw forum and another one, i forget which one I posted what to. of course, this one is the best. ;-)

[jbinbi]

i had a volvo 850 in mid 90s. I was very unimpressed by it and was glad when my lease was over. The overall quality was not close to what my honda, lexus, or bmw was. I don't know if things are different 15 yrs later, but back then I said I would not get a volvo again. Maybe I should re consider?

[cadman50]

Still wonder why no one ever mentions the FX in a comparison but the RX is. The FX35 is alot more like the X3 than the RX. I drove both the X3 and Q5 and IMO the X3 is the winner. But I think the FX is the sharpest looking.

[jbinbi]

have a buddy who just got a fx. I ruled it out because it has almost no useable space for a suv. also, rear seat I felt to be too small. if it is just you and possibly one other, i think it works out well, but if you need to put 3 or more, not a good choice. however, it is very aggressive in it's looks and also in driving.

[sfax]

Originally Posted by brissim

The thing that actually surprises me about this and similar X3 vs Q5 threads is what about the XC60. I must admit in arriving at our choice of the X3, the Q5 was knocked out early in the race and in the end it was between the XC60 and X3. Might be different with the diesel models available here in Oz and pricing.

Tony

Volvo still has a certain stigma attached to it in my eyes. My Dad had a succession of them and each was driven very slowly . Volvo have come a long way since then but I couldn't buy one just yet.

I've heard good things about the XC60 and it did well in the What Car comparison against the X3, Q5 and Freelander

[cadman50]

Having owned one for several years I think there is a decent amount of space in the back. comparing it to the X3 with rear seats folded, the FX is longer but it might not have the height that the X3 has. I think they are comparable side to side up to the windows. The adults in the back seats I've had on long trips seemed like they had plenty of room plus the seats reclined. That's too bad that the X3 rear seats don't recline. It's funny because I always thought mine was larger than the X3 but when I parked next to one and compared it, the X3 was actually almost as long and was the same height but the FX was wider.

[jbinbi]

sorry, my comments were based on the ex, not the fx. just looked at the specs. the ex is the same length, but 3" narrower and 2.5" lower. I was mistaken, my friend has the ex, which is what i was thinking of. Still believe that it is smaller cargo, mostly because of rear hatch slope. However, it has 297 hp engine, which felt really quick when he took me for a test drive. I think of all the asian manufac, infinity has definitely taken an image for the 'driver's car, and want to go against BMW. It seems like lexus is more for the comfort and against MB, the same with high end hyundai. IMHO.