m1964

having 3.2 Q5 for 2.5 years, we had only 2 problems- I know that Q7 was not reliable, but Q5 appears very well built, and drives a lot better then RX but only on smooth roads, on "bad" roads RX wins: Q5 "drives" better and RX "rides" better

HWDRX

Thats right. And after 3 years with my Q5 it had zero issues

gambit32

Is there info online to measure exactly how much more LENGTH interior room i can expect

HWDRX

Take a tape measure to the dealer. I do that. I need to fit a 4'7" ladder so I do it anytime I trade. Heck, take what your gonna carry over there and check. Salespeople will help.

SW17LS

The RX is much bigger than the Q5. The Q5 is more like an X3 or something along those lines in size, very small.

xfirechief

We miss all the storage space too. The back seat pasengers have to have short legs too but I never ride back there anyways.
We sure loved the Lexus service over the Audi but really have not had to spend much time at the dealer anyways.

The good news is I have till the 2015's come out to decide betwen the two.

m1964

Q5 is not "very small", it is smaller then RX, sits lower, but that is why it drives better. Comparison to X3 is right, and X3 drives better then RX too.

SW17LS

In my opinion the vehicle was "very small". I don't find the RX to be big, for our needs traveling with 3-4 adults and a dog, visiting family and taking 5 total at times, the Q5 was far too small. Like I said, if I was buying an SUV for me to drive, and to go on a trip with just my wife the Q5 would have been it...but that wasn't what I was buying.

No doubt the smaller SUVs have better handling ("drives better" is subjective), the 3 series has better handling than my ES too, as does the IS, A4...but I would never consider one of those vehicles because they're too small for me.

MichaelPea

Run, Run young man, Run like your hair is on fire from the Ford dealer....

py0413

Before I bought my RX in 2011, I had done some research and test drives. Here's what I have from the list

Acura MDX:
+ SuperHandling AWD, roomy interior, 7 seats
- Cheap/lower quality interior material, ugly steering wheel, no intelligent key fob

BMW X3: (not available yet, when I was in the market, otherwise this could be my choice)

Infiniti FX35:
+ Sweet engine/ exhaust note, handling, I like the look a lot
- less room in the passenger, small trunk space

M-Benz GLK:
+ Brand(the only thing I can think of, sorry)
- cheap interior, expensive options, NO discount at all (really?), handling is a joke

M-Benz ML350: (wasn't available yet)

Those are the other vehicles I checked out before I decided to go with the RX. The RX isn't an exciting car to drive, but it does everything I expect for an SUV plus the reliability is something you can trust. One thing I do regret, I didn't buy the 450h and now the gas price is slowing killing me.

ejm3

Only Audi owners will actually brag that their cars went a whole 3 years without any major problems like that's some kind of monumental feat.

Whereas Honda, Acura, Lexus and Toyota owners fully expect their cars to go 100k miles and more with nothing more than routine maintenance.

Something to consider if you plan on keeping the car beyond the warranty period.

markrivers

consider leasing.. you can try the Audi for 3 years.. and the Lexus after that.
BUY it if at the end of the lease you still like what you're driving.

AND as MichealPea suggested... forget the Ford..
if you're trying to save some cash, get yourself a Toyota Highlander instead.
your Surfboard and bestfriend will fit just fine.

SW17LS

Coundn't disagree more. Ford is making some VERY nice vehicles, and reliability and initial quality seem very good. The Explorer for instance is a MUCH nicer vehicle than the Highlander. The Highlander is incredibly crappy inside. We didn't even bother driving it and would never consider purchasing one.

I mean...I would MUCH rather have a new Fusion than a Camry...

markrivers

^ you may be right about the exterior of the new Ford being competitive.
but i have to wait at least 5 years to believe on the reliability and quality before you see us on another Ford dealership.

The Ford 500 we traded years ago... still has some bitter after taste.

SW17LS

I'm not really even talking about the exterior, the interior is the biggest difference. The Highlander's interior is awful IMHO. Ford is really working hard to build quality vehicles and they're doing that, I wouldn't be concerned about buying one. Hell...I bought a Jeep. Same story there.

I've thought of ways to ask this without it sounding rude, but it always does so please don't take this as being rude! I'm legitimately curious. If you're concerned enough to not consider a Ford because of reliability and quality, how could you buy a Range Rover? Terrible reputation for quality and reliability, and from the experiences of the friends I have with them its deserved. I have a coworker with a 2010 Range Rover Sport that she hates so much she's left it at the bottom of her driveway unlocked with the keys in it hoping someone would steal it...a guy that works for me has a 2006 Range Rover that he services at my mechanic. Its ALWAYS broken down...leaves him stranded. Theres a Land Rover specialist in Bethesda down from my office who'se lot is always FULL of late model Land Rovers and Range Rovers, and I would say 5 times out of 10 I drive by there theres one being delivered by flatbed towtruck.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Range Rover Sport, I think its the best looking SUV on the road, and we seriously considered a Land Rover LR4 before we got the Jeep...but its funny that you wouldn't buy a Ford, but would buy a Range Rover...a product that still needs improvement but has improved, with that improvement being largely credited to its ownership by Ford...