Automakers which sell vehicles in multiple markets around the world are faced with a quandary when it comes to one of the largest consumer groups on the planet: Americans. Americans enjoy wide-open spaces, multi-lane highways, master-planned communities, ample parking, cheap gas, and fast food eaten in the car while text messaging. This means Americans like big vehicles that carry lots of stuff and have giant cupholders. Gas mileage? Not much of a concern until the local station wants four bucks a gallon.

Global players must build vehicles to satisfy their home markets and others which they serve. Many of those places require small vehicles that can fit on narrow roads, through narrow alleys, and in narrow parking spaces. Consumers in many of these locales don’t eat in the car, and don’t eat until they’re the size of the car. Yet, when it comes to building a vehicle that can be sold in all markets of the world, compromises sometimes must be made.

Fortunately for Audi, it seems little compromise is made with the all-new 2009 Q5, a compact luxury crossover SUV that’s small on the outside and large on the inside. The new Q5 competes against others of its ilk in a class first populated by the BMW X3. Today, the Q5 battles the Acura RDX, Infiniti EX35, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, and Volvo XC60 in addition to the BMW.

Highlights of the 2009 Audi Q5 include:

• Five-passenger, small luxury crossover SUV
• Standard 3.2-liter V-6 engine, six-speed automatic
• Standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system with Hill Descent Control
• Three levels of specification: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige
• Available Bang & Olufsen audio system
• Available Audi Drive Select, with tailored suspension, steering, throttle settings
• Up to 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space

Audi sells the Q5 in three levels of specification: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Premium models include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED taillights, heated side mirrors, privacy glass, triple-zone climate control, Sirius satellite radio, and Audi Concert sound with 10 speakers. Leather upholstery is standard, as well as genuine wood trim inlays, and both front seats feature 12-way adjustment with 4-way power lumbar support. Options for the Premium model include Bluetooth, Homelink, an iPod integration kit, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and rear side impact airbags.

The Q5 Premium Plus adds Xenon headlights with LED running lights, auto-dimming and power folding side mirrors, auto-dimming interior mirror with a compass, memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, heated front seats, a power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth, Homelink, and iPod integration. Options for the Q5 Premium Plus include 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, Audi MMI navigation, rear parking assist with a rearview camera, rear side impact airbags, and a stunning Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Premium Plus is also eligible for the Audi S-line treatment, which includes 20-inch wheels, subtle styling tweaks, high-pressure headlight washers, brushed aluminum interior trim, perforated leather, and a three-spoke steering wheel.

Stepping up to the Q5 Prestige adds 19-inch alloy wheels, Bang & Olufsen audio components, Audi Side Assist blind-spot monitoring, Audi MMI navigation with a rear view camera and parking assist, Audi Advanced Key keyless locking and ignition, and a thermo cupholder that keeps hot drinks hot and cool drinks cool. The Q5 Prestige is exclusively available with Audi Drive Select, which allows the driver to choose from four settings governing the steering, suspension, and throttle response. It’s also the only Q5 offered with the Luxury Package: ventilated seats upholstered in premium Milano leather, with leather-wrapped dashboard and door panel armrests. Other options on this model include the Audi S-line treatment, plus a selection of 20-inch wheels and rear side impact airbags.

The 2009 Audi Q5 is equipped with a 3.2-liter, direct-injection V-6 making 270 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm, driving all four wheels through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual gear selection. This powertrain is rated to deliver 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, and Audi recommends premium unleaded for maximum performance. Our review vehicle averaged 18.6 mpg in mixed driving. Combined with the Q5’s standard 19.8-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 365-mile range between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Audi Q5 includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. The Q5 also includes stability control with rollover mitigation technology, traction control with Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control. A reversing camera, parking assist system, and Audi Side Assist blind-spot detection system are available on the Q5.

JDPower.com says the 2009 Audi Q5 competes against other entry luxury SUVs such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, and Volvo XC60.

Compare entry luxury SUVs

Note: This review was published on September 18, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.