The best option is to go for the 3.2L V6 engine as it is just much smoother and more refined to drive. And because of that, the 2012 Audi Q5 3.2 Prestige is the trim which we would put our money on because it comes with a lot of features that can be useful in day-to-day driving. The added power along with the greater set of standard features makes it the better choice.

Audi is offering the 2012 Q5 in three trim levels which are the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. While the Premium is available just with the smaller 2.0L engine and the Prestige with the bigger 3.2L V6 engine, the Premium plus gets the option for both the mills. Prices start at around $35,600 for the base Premium trim and go to about $50,100 for the Prestige trim. Moreover, while the 2.0T variant gets the 8-speed automatic unit, the V6 manages off with a 6-speed automatic.

On the feature front, all the above-said trims are filled up to the brim with the latest features on offer. Although for 2012, Audi has further introduced certain standard features, apart from the optional S-line package available with the V6 powered trim variants. The new S-line package includes 20-inch five-spoke rims, matte black exterior accents, and a gloss black grille on the exterior. On the interior front, you get Alcantara leather seats with S-line badges and further black trim across the dashboard.

The 2012 Audi Q5 gets a 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder model and new eight-speed automatic transmission, which was introduced just last year. The engine in the 2012 Q5 is good enough for 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and while these figures can be quite less when compared to the competition, it certainly doesn’t mean that the Q5 is a slouch in any manner. This is a turbocharged motor so it is very well understood that there is a bit of a turbo lag below 1500 rpm, but once you cross that mark, the engine pulls quite neatly till the redline.

Also, it becomes quite vocal at higher RPMs and that is also expected because of its compact size. For the purists, the 3.2L V6 is still there and while it makes a bit more power than the inline-four, the torque figures are relatively lower. Nonetheless, for a sprint from zero to sixty, the V6 is quicker than the 2.0L turbo 4-pot and makes it superior overall. The 2012 Audi Q5, with the standard 2.0L pot, does the 0-60 MPH sprint in just 6.5 seconds.

Just as we expected, Mercedes is the one with the biggest engine here and thus producing the most power among all. Acura RDX comes with a bigger 2.3L Turbo inline-4 compared to the Audi and also is the quickest among the lot covering the 0-60MPH in just 6.4 seconds. The BMW X3 is also a strong and engaging-to-drive machine that catches up to the likes of the Q5 and other rivals.

Well, the small engine in the 2012 Q5 might be less on power, but it is not less on fuel consumption. Compared to the rivals, it is able to score some good points in terms of fuel efficiency. The 2.0L TFSI engine in the Q5 is rated at 20/27/22 MPG for city, highway, and combined driving respectively. And considering that all Q5 models come with Quattro all-wheel-drive, these are quite good numbers. However, the 3.2-liter V6 version comes with EPA fuel economy figures of just 18 MPG city, 23 MPG highway—low for such a compact vehicle.

Audi Q5 offers the highest fuel economy in the lot with the BMW closely following it. The Q5 also has the biggest fuel tank which gives it the most driving range at 534.6 miles on the highway. On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class with the biggest engine and smallest fuel tank loses the battle quite badly.

Just like is the case with all other cars from Audi these days, the 2012 Q5 also has a very practical, lush, and well-laid-out cabin. The whole cabin is centered towards the driver and it has an uncanny resemblance to the cabin of its bigger sibling, the Q7. The materials used are quite good and while there are no certain elements that will make you go wow; the cabin still manages to impress you with the way it is built. The seats are supportive and you sit quite high in the Q5.

The seats are draped in faux leather. The cushioning is also a bit on the softer side which helps as the suspension is a bit stiffer being a German car. There are power adjustments for both the driver and front passenger seat along with lumbar support. The rear bench seat also accommodates three, it is a strict two-seater as no matter how you take it, it is not comfortable for the third person. Space here though is quite adequate with enough knee and headroom. The Q5 also is the one with the biggest boot space at 29.1 cu-ft and that gets it some additional brownie points.

The 2012 Audi Q5 comes with Audi’s very own MMI interface for the infotainment unit. By standard, it is paired to a 10-speaker audio system but it can be upgraded to a 14-speaker surround sound system by Bang and Olufsen. Other infotainment features include Bluetooth and an iPod interface. You also get the MMI Navigation Plus package in the Premium Plus trim which includes a navigation system, digital music storage, voice controls, HD radio, CD/DVD player, and center-console-mounted MMI system.

One thing that Audi does better than anyone else in the market is designing the exterior of the car. The 2012 Q5 certainly looks better than any of the cars in the competition currently and that in itself is a very big win for the Audi. It doesn’t look like a Q7 in a smaller package but instead, it has a charm of its own and we quite liked it. From its big, rounded nose and LED-lit rear end, the 2012 Audi Q5 walks a clean line between sport wagon and sport-utility.

The Q5’s stance and height telegraph its all-around ability, but like the Volvo XC60, the take is carlike, subtle, and elegant, not upright and tough. Now, this is not a design that will appeal to the older people but will be liked by the youngsters more. Personally, we loved the way the Q5 looks and while it does look small by proportions, it is not really a small car.

In fact, the Q5 is longer than the bulky-looking GLK-Class and also decently wide. With the Audi Q5's 7.9 inches of ground clearance, this is not going to do serious offroading bits. The BMW has the highest clearance and it also happens to be the heaviest. 2012 Q5 is certainly big but the GLK-Class is the tallest of the lot and the BMW X3 is the longest.

Standout exterior features include-

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rain sensing wipers
• Adaptive xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running light technology
• Roof rails
• Panoramic sunroof

One thing German cars are quite famous for is safety and build quality. And Audi is certainly no exception there as well. The 2012 Q5 has been awarded the “Top safety pick” award by the IIHS and has also aced all the crash tests. That said, this hasn’t been yet tested by the federal government and the chances they will conduct the tests now are quite slim.

The Q5 comes with a host of driver assistance features which include the following- 

• Stability Control
• Traction Control
• Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Hill descent control

2012 Audi Q5 Vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350

Between the Audi and the Mercedes, there are more differences than we would like to admit. Although the Mercedes Benz GLK 350's 3.5L V6 puts down a lot more power, Audi manages to get the faster 0 to 60 mph time due to its all-wheel-drive system. In the meantime, the Mercedes sips much more fuel which makes it a bad compromise.

The interiors also feel a bit cut-price in the Mercedes while the Q5 is very plush, and comes with a much better infotainment system. It is also more spacious for rear-seat passengers as well as cargo, making it a much better pick overall.

2012 Audi Q5 Vs. 2012 Acura RDX

Not being a conventional luxury brand comes with its advantages and in the case of Acura, its reliable reputation and the fact that it always manages to undercut the price of European rivals speaks for something. The 2012 Acura RDX delivers better performance and comes with comparable fuel economy.

Its interiors are spacious but not quite as nice as the Audi's, although it offers a very similar level of equipment. But while the Q5 is truly beautiful on the outside, the Acura's styling is largely hit or miss. Mostly miss.

The Audi Q5 is a brilliant car, comes loaded with quite a lot of features, looks smart, is fuel-efficient, and has a boot big enough for your weekend exploration trips. It starts at a price of $35k which is not a lot but just ticking a few optional boxes can get the bill very high. Audi is certainly on the right path and launching pretty exciting cars lately and the 2012 Q5 is also one of the cars that we genuinely liked a lot.