We already told you how the Traverse and Flex will vie in the marketplace this autumn as Chevrolet's and Ford's first full-size, three-row crossover sport/utes. Next year, Mercedes-Benz and Audi will launch their GLK350 and Q5, two compact luxury crossovers to take on the BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, Acura RDX, and upcoming Volvo XC60 and future competitors from Cadillac and Saab. This size crossover is most popular in Europe, and while Mercedes builds the M- and GL-Class in Alabama, the GLK will be built in Europe and go on sale in January as a 2010 model. The Q5 hits the market sometime in the first quarter of 2009 as a 2009 model. Here's how these crossovers face-off:
| 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 |
| Drivetrain | 3.5-liter V-6 rated 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet and mated to a seven-speed automatic. It'll be offered with rear drive or 4Matic full-time all-wheel drive with a 45/55 torque split. Mercedes estimates a 6.5-second 0-to-60-mpg time and 23 mpg EPA highway for either drivetrain. |
| Suspension | MacPherson struts front/multilink rear |
| Wheel sizes | 19, 20 inches |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 inches |
| Length x Width x Height | 178.3 x 72.4 x 66.9 inches |
| Seating capacity | Five |
| Select features | Two-zone automatic climate control, integrated Bluetooth mobile-phone connection, hands-free system microphone, central five-inch color display, COMAND multimedia system all standard; optional panorama sunroof, Sirius radio, power liftgate, bi-Xenon headlamps with adaptive lighting and washing, rain-sensing wipers, Multimedia package with hard-drive navigation and rearview backup camera. |
| 2009 Audi Q5 |
| Drivetrain | 3.2-liter FSI (gas direct-injection) V-6 with Audi Valvelift System, rated 265 horsepower and 243 pound-feet. Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with 40/60 torque split only. Audi estimates a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds. |
| Suspension | Multilink front and rear |
| Wheel sizes | 18, 20 inches |
| Wheelbase | 110.6 inches |
| Length x Width x Height | 182.2 x 74.8 x 65.2 inches |
| Seating capacity | Five |
| Select features | LED taillamps, aluminum exterior trim, MMI operating logic, Audi side assist, dynamic ESP (on-road, off-road and roof cargo settings), power tailgate, intelligent key with service information stored, keyless entry and starting, Bluetooth hands-free telephone, mercury-free Xenon-plus headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, advanced parking system with rear backup camera, HDD-based navigation with real-time traffic information, thermal heated/cooled cupholder, Bang & Olufsen 505-watt 14-speaker sound system. |