MB GLK350 or Audi Q5

[kyoshiro]

Anyone got any experiences with these 2 5 seater CUV/SUVs? Thinking of maybe trading in my current car for one of these after summer. They're both roughly the same price range with the Audi being a few thousand more expensive when compared directly at the features and options/packages. On the side note, anyone got CCC Reports on these 2 cars for Vancouver area or is it advisable for me to open an account and get them before i go dealer hunting.

Id prob also consider the 2010 X3 if we get it in the showrooms soon enough.

[m4gician]

The GLK350? THat'll hold a small army...you must mean the ML350? Yes? If that's the case, I just detailed a brand new one, very nice vehicle. It has a lot of the minor features and quirks that you don't notice until you ride in it or sit in it for an extended period of time. Very well designed, and the Bluetec Diesel is a great option for you to go for if you want some environmentally friendly fuel efficient suv.

The X3 is smaller than the 2 you've mentioned...and the Q5 well...errr it's quite costly, and there have been mediocre reviews on it from those who have owned it (in my opinion).

[kkkat]

i think glk, q5 and x3 are in the same category. ML is one size up like x5 and q7.

I like glk's styling but q5 probably has a better interior between the two. I'd pick q5.

[KevC]

i think m4gician is thinking of the Geländewagen, not the GLK. The GLK is a compact SUV.

If you can wait, I'd wait for the 2.0T Q5. It's a beautifully capable motor ... a bit small, but wickedly refined for a small turbo. Loads of power to boot ... 258lb-ft starting from way down low.

I haven't heard any (good or bad) things about the GLK, but the styling has really grown on me. If it's anything like the ML, I wouldn't touch it with a ten yard stick ... it's horrific in build quality and reliability.

Hit up Alex for a good quote on the Q5! Cheerio!

[nocash]

I just finished cross shopping the GLK, Q5 & EX35.

We ruled out the GLK pretty quickly (first drive)....I actually thought when we started out this would be the front runner. It's priced very well, performance & features all spec out pretty well, it's looks good (love it or hate it IMO).
Pros:
-Merc engine & transmission....both best in the category in my opinion. Silky smooth 7 speed transmission.
-Exterior styling...with upgraded wheels and tires it looks great.

Cons:
-Size. Back seat and trunk quite a bit smaller then Q5 & EX.
-Interior styling. IMO they got the price down so low by skipping out on some of the interor. In-dash display is about the size of my BB screen and looks smaller because of the large housing it's in (i'm assuming for the larger NAV screen option). Materials aren't plastic....but look it. I've never been a fan of the standard Artico leather.
In short....not much about the interior felt like a Merc to me.
-Very little room to deal and standard lease/finance rates.

EX35
Pros:
-Drives like a car, low to the ground, best handling of the bunch. Debatable how much this matters in this segment....but it was the best.
-Engine. The 3.5l vq engine has 10+ years of action and it's a winner with the right balance between torque and HP.
-Exhaust sound. No practical value...but it sounds the best of the bunch.
-Price. Even with the Journey package it prices out cheaper then the Audi. There was tons of room to negotiate on the 2009s and lease/finance rates were the best of the brands.

Cons:
-Average interior. It was nice...but didn't feel like a premium brand IMO. You could easily mistaken the interior for a Nissan.
-Exterior styling. It's basically a station wagon G35.
-Trunk space. The low sloping back really shrinks the trunk and limits the height of what you can get in there.


Q5.
Pros:
Size. Largest back seat & trunk of the group. Also much taller then the other two. But still not in the 7 seater size range.
Interior. This is hands down the winner of the bunch. Fit and finish, quality of materials, location of controls all tops.
Exterior styling. Our favourite. Not as square or aggressive as the GLK and not as rounded/bubble like the EX.
Quatro AWD. I don't know much about Infiniti or Merc's system....but the Audi system is well regarded as best in industry. At least close second with Subaru.

Cons:
Premium package is required to get the features up to spec with the other two. This is a $5100 package that includes items that I didn't want to pay for but when I added the features I did want (sunroof, BT, 19" wheels/tires) you might as well just get the premium package for $500 more.
Price overall is quite a bit more then the Infiniti and Merc.
Transmission. Not as smooth as i'd expect from a premium brand with your foot down. Very smooth at normal acceleration.
No room for negotiation and long delivery cycles. Best we could get was an Oct delivery.


We ended up ordering a blk/blk premium Q5 w/ sline. I got the Audi suppliers discount at 1% over invoice....it will be ~56k OTR. (Infiniti was ~48k OTR & Merc ~51k OTR).

[Eddie13]

how do you get the audi's suppliers discount?

[nocash]

The program:
http://canada.audisupplier.com/


A reasonable up to date supplier list. Would recommend you check your company with your dealer:
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2501295

[golden]

I doubt EX should be in consideration if you're looking up Q5 and GLK. The EX trunk space is a joke. Ok, not that Q5 and GLK are huge huge, but at least usable. EX is like a wagon as the other poster said.

Well, I don't think it's a fair comparison between a $56k Q5 and $51k GLK, however, if you factor in the free maintenance on the Audi, the difference is smaller, but definitely not close to $5k.

[afretes]

No free maintenance on Audi anymore, hasn't been for 3 years.

[charliebrown]

Audi advertising wins

http://www.fourtitude.com/blog/q5vglk.jpg

[UrbanPoet]

Audi advertising wins

http://www.fourtitude.com/blog/q5vglk.jpg

wow. Thats the best shot by a car ad I've seen!
Or perhaps it was just exemplified by the 2 boards being next to each other.

[shipill]

I love Q5

[CatDog]

both are nice cuvs..

best thing about shopping for either (at least in Mississauga) is Mercedes Benz Mississauga and Audi Mississauga (afretes) are right next door to each other. To compare the vehicles, you're literally a minute away which saves alot of time, and truthfully you cannot lose with either.

I can refer anyone to the sales manager at Mercedes Benz Mississauga if they'd like in order to deal aggressively and to the point.

[afretes]

afretes that's me! Come by for TD anytime.

[kyoshiro]

ah sadly im in vancouver :(
but yeah, at the moment the GLK prob looks the best in terms of price/availability/options tho the Q5 seriously hits the right spots

[blakjak]

I doubt EX should be in consideration if you're looking up Q5 and GLK. The EX trunk space is a joke. Ok, not that Q5 and GLK are huge huge, but at least usable. EX is like a wagon as the other poster said.


Agreed. If anything, you should be comparing the FX35 or FX50 with the Q5 and GLK. IMO, much nicer vehicles than both the Q5 and GLK. Plus, I'll take true Japanese engineering/manufacturing/reliability over German any day...but that's a whole other discussion.

[golden]

But I think FX are more expensive and competes with ML or Q7. Anyway, I would consider MDX instead if I'm looking at GLK or Q5.

[blakjak]

But I think FX are more expensive and competes with ML or Q7. Anyway, I would consider MDX instead if I'm looking at GLK or Q5.

True. The FX 35 is a little more expensive (the FX50 alot more, lol). But the starting price of the MDX is even higher than that of the FX35. :razz:

[golden]

You can now get the MDX tech for low 50's, just in the price range of the GLK and Q5.

[charliebrown]

True. The FX 35 is a little more expensive (the FX50 alot more, lol). But the starting price of the MDX is even higher than that of the FX35. :razz:

Did anyone jump on the FX in June? I recall seeing ads that showed the MSRP being cut to $33k on the base model ($7-8k off)

[celica00]

Did anyone jump on the FX in June? I recall seeing ads that showed the MSRP being cut to $33k on the base model ($7-8k off)


FX base of $33k --- no chance, you must be mistaken. Maybe EX?

[Rocky03]

I know it's not on your list but I'd go for the Volvo XC60. I love the outside looks. Comes with the T6 engine/6 speed auto as standard.

[bmw_xperience]

so being a supplier u get 6% off? I walk into BMW and I can get 5% off for not doing anything. my 330xi I got like $6000 (9%) off back in 02 and the 335i I got like $7000 (9%)off.


is this your first audi? cuz if you have a history with them they give you a lot more discount, (I have 2 bmw's but my whole family drives em).. I usu. shoot for 9%.

nonetheless, congrats on your purchase.. it is a beautiful car

[charliebrown]

FX base of $33k --- no chance, you must be mistaken. Maybe EX?

Sorry, i meant EX

but it's now back to regular MSRP of ~$40k

[JayLove06]

I'm liking the xc60. It has the most power is roomier and is a great price for what you get. It's also the niccest looking (IMO). The Audi's just too expensive if you ask me. My mother's actually looking for an SUV and it's between the GLK(interior has really turned me off of this one) the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5. Volvo's a good $5K cheaper and better lease rates.

[ssainani]

i believe one of the US mags recently did a review on the midsize utes and the glk scored poorly while the audi did well

you should read up on that

the audi is a bit more money though
but also seems the best


edit - found it

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/09q3/2009_audi_q5_vs._2009_bmw_x3_2010_m-b_glk350_2010_volvo_xc60_2010_lexus_rx350-comparison_tests

[The_Professor]

I'm liking the xc60. It has the most power is roomier and is a great price for what you get. It's also the niccest looking (IMO). The Audi's just too expensive if you ask me. My mother's actually looking for an SUV and it's between the GLK(interior has really turned me off of this one) the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5. Volvo's a good $5K cheaper and better lease rates.

Make sure when you're comparing the pricing that the Volvo is not FWD while the others are AWD. I believe with the Volvo you have to pay more for AWD while it's standard on the MB and Audi.

[JayLove06]

Make sure when you're comparing the pricing that the Volvo is not FWD while the others are AWD. I believe with the Volvo you have to pay more for AWD while it's standard on the MB and Audi.

Yup, I'm talking about the AWD Volvo. It starts at 46K but comes with just about everything. I think when it comes to interiors the Volvo and Q5 destroy the Benz (IMO of course). I think if Mercedes stepped up the interior and upped the pricetag by an extra grand it would almost be a no-brainer to pick it.

[ssainani]

Yup, I'm talking about the AWD Volvo. It starts at 46K but comes with just about everything. .

Pricing: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
•Base price: $45,495
•Options: $14,190
(Luxury Package of Four-C Active Chassis, front and rear parking assist, rain sensor, active bending headlights and heated rear seats, $3,050; Convenience Package of garage door opener, speed-sensitive steering, interior air quality system, mass movement sensor, sunglass holder, rear power child locks, cargo area grocery bag holder, power-operated liftgate and level sensor, $2,100; Tech Package of Collision Avoidance System [adaptive cruise control, collision warning with auto brake, lane departure warning, driver alert control, and distance alert], personal car communicator with keyless drive, premium Dynaudio sound system with Dolby Pro-Logic II surround sound, blind spot information system and retractable mirrors, $4,100; metallic paint, $790; classic wood inlays, $600; wood steering wheel, $350; navigation system with DVD map data and remote control, $2,100; and rear parking camera, $1,100)


•A/C tax: $100
•Freight: $1,715
•Price as tested: $61,500


much more than 46k
but i agree that the base model isn't bad .... but this applies to all the mini luxury yutes

[JayLove06]

Pricing: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
•Base price: $45,495
•Options: $14,190
(Luxury Package of Four-C Active Chassis, front and rear parking assist, rain sensor, active bending headlights and heated rear seats, $3,050; Convenience Package of garage door opener, speed-sensitive steering, interior air quality system, mass movement sensor, sunglass holder, rear power child locks, cargo area grocery bag holder, power-operated liftgate and level sensor, $2,100; Tech Package of Collision Avoidance System [adaptive cruise control, collision warning with auto brake, lane departure warning, driver alert control, and distance alert], personal car communicator with keyless drive, premium Dynaudio sound system with Dolby Pro-Logic II surround sound, blind spot information system and retractable mirrors, $4,100; metallic paint, $790; classic wood inlays, $600; wood steering wheel, $350; navigation system with DVD map data and remote control, $2,100; and rear parking camera, $1,100)


•A/C tax: $100
•Freight: $1,715
•Price as tested: $61,500


much more than 46k
but i agree that the base model isn't bad .... but this applies to all the mini luxury yutes

Well, I wouldn't add a lot of those options. It's still cheaper than the Q5.

[afretes]

So is a Escape, same company.

[JayLove06]

So is a Escape, same company.

This comment makes absolutely no sense. You seem to take any Audi negativity personally. Why?

[afretes]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion in this and other public forums, I work for Audi. I can't help it, I'm biased : )

This comment makes absolutely no sense. You seem to take any Audi negativity personally. Why?

[JayLove06]

Pricing: 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD
�Base price: $45,495
�Options: $14,190
(Luxury Package of Four-C Active Chassis, front and rear parking assist, rain sensor, active bending headlights and heated rear seats, $3,050; Convenience Package of garage door opener, speed-sensitive steering, interior air quality system, mass movement sensor, sunglass holder, rear power child locks, cargo area grocery bag holder, power-operated liftgate and level sensor, $2,100; Tech Package of Collision Avoidance System [adaptive cruise control, collision warning with auto brake, lane departure warning, driver alert control, and distance alert], personal car communicator with keyless drive, premium Dynaudio sound system with Dolby Pro-Logic II surround sound, blind spot information system and retractable mirrors, $4,100; metallic paint, $790; classic wood inlays, $600; wood steering wheel, $350; navigation system with DVD map data and remote control, $2,100; and rear parking camera, $1,100)


�A/C tax: $100
�Freight: $1,715
�Price as tested: $61,500


much more than 46k
but i agree that the base model isn't bad .... but this applies to all the mini luxury yutes

I was mistaken, the Audi is actually cheaper than the Volvo.