jpnwdc

My lease is up on my 2016 Q5 2.0T. I turn it in in 2 weeks unless I extend the lease of buy it. With so much new technology in the current cars I would like something new. I have looked at the BMW X3, MB GLC 300 and the new Q5. Wondering what others thought after coming out of previous gen Q5.

My summary so far is:
X3 - seats are way too hard; drives beautifully; latest tech inside; styling is so-so
GLC 300 - comfortable, beautiful interior, but not the sportiest drive; questionable reliability ratings
Q5 - exterior styling is ok (evolutionary from prev gen); nice new tech; nimble handling; quick; steering too light IMHO

What do new Q5 owners think compared to previous gen?

redherring

Same comments I would have relative to my wife's B9 A4 compared to the previous gen: at least a little better in almost every respect, netting an overall significantly better car. Noticeably quicker, quieter, tech much more advanced yet easy to use, several things that bugged me about previous gen were fixed (example: area under and on either side of the hatch had an overlapping seam that collected leaves and dirt that was very difficult to remove; slightly redesigned now so that the overlap faces down, not up, problem gone).

Gibson6594

I can't compare to the previous gen, but I shopped all the same cars you are looking at and wound up here. It just seemed like the best overall package. I'd been in BMWs for the past 10 or so years and I've very happy with the Audi. I think most people here will tell you something similar. The Q5 seems to be proving itself as a very solid machine.

S4forDC

I traded my ‘15 Q5 3.0T in for a ‘18 SQ5 last July. I found the MKI and MKII to be very different, likely the case for the 2.0T as well. It was a good decision and a good deal so no regrets at all for not going with something other than Q5.

bzcat

We had a 2013 Q5 3.0T before and now we have a 2018 SQ5. Same transmission (ZF8H) but the old one had the supercharged V6 while the new one is turbo charged.

I really missed the more linear power delivery of the 3.0 supercharged V6 but other than that, the new one drives better.

The only other car we seriously considered was Porsche Macan S. Same engine as SQ5 but with PDK instead of ZF8H. It is a lot more sporty in terms of handling but the back seat is really tight. Also the cargo area is tiny compare to Q5/SQ5.

jpnwdc

Thanks. I wish the steering on the Q5 was a little "'heavier" but the engine is great. I drove the SQ5 over the weekend. But living in DC I don't when I would ever be able to open up the SQ5.

patmurphey

On my PPlus, I use individual to set steering to dynamic. It firms it up a bit. I don't need or desire dynamic otherwise.