2012 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is, once again, the best-reviewed luxury compact SUV. Offering an unbeatable blend of luxury, beauty, and athleticism, the 2012 Audi Q5 outshines rivals from manufacturers such as Acura, Cadillac, Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz. Following the introduction of a new base turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed transmission for 2011, the 2012 Q5 carries forward largely unchanged. The only notable equipment change is that Audi's "advanced key" keyless entry and start system becomes standard equipment on models outfitted with the available 3.2-liter V6 engine. For a more detailed review of this small premium SUV, see our page on the 2009 Audi Q5. (Base MSRP: $37,200) .

Fuel economy rundown

Fuel economy for the Audi Q5, which features all-wheel drive standard, is an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined for the 270-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. With the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo and eight-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy estimates improve to 20 mpg city/27 highway/22 combined. Premium fuel is required.

Safety still a high point 

In independent tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi Q5 earns the highest rating of "Good" in front-, side- and rear-crash tests, as well as the IIHS roof-crush evaluation, earning it a 2011 Top Safety Pick Designation. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control and front, front-side and curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are also available, but they're not standard equipment. While the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has still not crash-tested the Audi Q5 using its revised 2011 standards, it does give the small SUV a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.

The 2012 Audi Q5's base MSRP starts at $35,600 for the four-cylinder and $43,000 for the V6.