Learn me: Audi Q5 (cringe?)

We're shopping for a small SUV with decent gas mileage and awd for at/under $40k w/ a minimum 3k lbs. towing capacity and up-scale feel. New would be best, but a lightly used example of an X3 or Q5 check the boxes well. I see the Q5's everywhere, so that tells me something. I'm rather scared of Audi reliability. It would get driven regularly, but not for long distances (5ish mile commute a few times a week). We're coming from an '03 G35 sedan so maintenance costs are a little scary, but not completely so. Other options for comparison are (all new) Escape, MKC, Cherokee, and Santa Fe Sport.

Thanks!

Wow, Nada? Any b8/2.0t input?

Looking at the 4 or 6 cylinder? The early six had poor reliability rating for some reason. The performance of the six was no better & gas mileage was worse than the four, so they dropped it.

The 2.0T is the same motor/gearbox combo as the A4 and will provide the same reliability - anywhere from excellent to terrible depending who you talk to. The 8 speed ZF is excellent for an automatic, BMW uses the same unit.

I've driven both the four & six cylinder Q's but never towed with one. Unless you need the ground clearance, I'd recommend an A4 Avant or Allroad over the Q. They feel & drive less like a big plastic box than any SUV. In my opinion the BMW was nicer than the Q too.

No wagons (I wish). Also only looking at 2.0t or 2.0t hybrid.

If you buy it make sure it comes with the extended warranty. Change the oil every 3000miles with the proper oil and you shouldn't have oil problems like some of the early motors did.

What about the Lincoln MkC? We absolutely love ours. We've had it coming up 8 months and 24K miles. It's a great mile eater. Small and nippy around town with an excellent interior. A significant step up from the Escape with which it shares a platform (but is longer and wider). In February we went to Florida, a 3,000 mile round trip with three adults, my 5'9" 14 year old and a then 8 week old baby, plus camping gear. We only got the 2.0L Ecoboost which is fine, but the 2.3 Ecoboost offers considerably more oomph. The only thing I wish we'd ordered was the automatic opening tailgate where you wave your foot under the bumper to open/close, mainly because that's the only way to get a power tailgate, because, you know, it's just way too much effort to grab the handle and do it yourself. The latest version of My Lincoln (Ford) Touch is infinitely improved over older versions and works flawlessly.

MKC is on the shortlist, which includes the new Cherokee and Santa Fe Sport. We ruled out the escape last night after deciding it wasn't nice enough. The MKC needs to be the 2.0 to get the 3k towing rating, though. That did seem kinda odd to me, do you happen to know why that is with your particular knowledge? I'll definitely be showing this thread to her once I get some more input.

edit: the tow rating is for flat-towing my e30 to rallyx 6-8 times a year.

My neighbor dd's a Q5. She also owns a Honda S2000, a BMW 850 or some such convertible, and a Roush Mustang. She used to ride sportbikes, but she outgrew that. She's a pediatrician. I guess she's doing okay.

Back to the Q5. Seems like a nice package. I haven't heard that she's had any trouble with it. She's had the Audi a lot longer than the BMW X5 she used to dd, so I'm guessing she likes the Audi. But hey, what rational person doesn't?

bluej wrote: MKC is on the shortlist, which includes the new Cherokee and Santa Fe Sport. We ruled out the escape last night after deciding it wasn't nice enough. The MKC needs to be the 2.0 to get the 3k towing rating, though. That did seem kinda odd to me, do you happen to know why that is with your particular knowledge? I'll definitely be showing this thread to her once I get some more input. edit: the tow rating is for flat-towing my e30 to rallyx 6-8 times a year.

Wow, I had no idea it was lower. Just checked and it sure is.

PM sent.

P.S. No 'Cringe' needed for considering a premium/luxury Crossover. There's nothing wrong with a type of vehicle fitting your needs and going shopping for one you like in that category.

The cringe was for worries about Audi specifically.

One last bump. Maybe these aren't as prevalent elsewhere as the streets of DC.

All I can add is that a coworker just purchased one as his wife's car. It's a CPO 3.0T, and he absolutely loves it. It went into the shop once for a bad cam sensor, but other than that, no issues. He's absolutely in love with it. They traded a 4 cylinder ecoboost Explorer, and haven't looked back.

Have you considered a used MKT? Not sure if that covers your towing requirements.

MKT/Edge is a no-go on the size/aesthetics. Thanks for the input, though.