Although Audi made some minor tweaks to a few of the package options, the 2012 Q5 remains virtually unchanged from last year’s model. That said, the Q5 more than holds its own in the compact luxury crossover market, which features stiff competition from the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class.

Four trim levels are offered for the 2012 Audi Q5 – all of which have all-wheel drive: the 2.0T Quattro Premium, 2.0T Quattro Premium Plus, 3.2T Quattro Premium Plus and 3.2T Quattro Prestige. The 2.0T trims have a 211-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged with intercooler, DOHC inline-4 premium gasoline engine with FSI direct injection and Audi’s valvelift system. Both 2.0 trims are equipped with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission (with sport and manual shift program). The 4-cylinder engine achieves 258 lb-ft of torque and is rated by the EPA to get 20 mpg city/27 highway. The 3.2T trims have a 270-hp 3.2-liter DOHC V6 premium gasoline engine with FSI direct injection and Audi's valvelift system, which has 243 lb-ft of torque and is rated to get 18/23. Both 3.2 trims are equipped with a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission (also with sport and manual shift programs).

Standard for the 2.0T Quattro Premium trim are 3-zone automatic climate control, power windows, power locks, cruise control, Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering, a leather-wrapped 4-spoke multifunction steering wheel, 12-way power front seats (with 4-way power lumbar adjustment), power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors (with integrated LED turn signals), hill descent control, antitheft vehicle alarm (with immobilizer), rain-sensing front windshield wipers, leather seats, genuine wood decorative inlays, halogen headlights (with daytime running lights), LED taillights, fog lights, aluminum roof rails, concert system (with single-CD player with MP3 playback capability), AM/FM radio, auxiliary input jack, SD card slot (for MP3 files), Sirius XM satellite radio (with a 3-month trial subscription) and 18-inch V-design aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires).

For those opting for the 2.0T Quattro Premium Plus trim, additional standard equipment includes auto-dimming interior mirror (with compass), power-folding heated auto-dimming exterior mirror, memory for one driver’s seat and exterior mirror settings, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof (with power sunshade), power tailgate, multimusic interface (with iPod/iPhone integration), Bluetooth HandsFree technology, HomeLink remote transmitter and xenon plus headlights (with LED daytime running lights).

In addition to a more powerful engine, buyers choosing the 3.2T Quattro Premium Plus trim have the equipment found on the 2.0T Quattro Premium Plus, along with S Line exterior (including S Line badging, Singleframe grille, front and rear bumpers, doorsills, and retractable headlight washers), a keyless entry system and 19-inch arm-design aluminum alloy wheels (with all-season tires). The 3.2T Quattro Prestige adds adaptive xenon headlights (with LED daytime running lights), Audi Side Assist (which monitors blind spots and fast-approaching vehicles), Thermo cupholder, 505-watt Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 14 speakers and a 10-channel amplifier, MMI Navigation Plus (with 7-inch full-color LCD screen, single CD/DVD player, 2 SD card slots for MP3 files and HD radio), and Parking System Plus (with rear-view camera). The panoramic sunroof is only available as an option on the Prestige trim.

Available options for the 2012 Audi Q5 (not available for all trims) include splash guards, wheel lock kit, running boards, and tow hitch. The Convenience package and MMI Navigation Plus package are available for the 2.0T Premium trim. The Convenience package adds the music interface (with iPod/iPhone integration), Bluetooth HandsFree Link and HomeLink remote transmitter. The MMI Navigation Plus package can also be added to the 3.2T Premium Plus trim as well. The S Line and S Line Plus packages are optional for the 3.2T Premium Plus and 3.2T Prestige trims. The S Line package adds 20-inch, 5-segment spoke alloy wheels, brushed aluminum inlays and a leather-wrapped 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel (with shift paddles and shift knob). The S Line Plus package adds 20-inch, 5-segment spoke titanium finish aluminum alloy wheels, black exterior trim elements and S Line-embossed Alcantara leather seats. The Luxury package adds a leather instrument panel top, leather door armrests and ventilated Milano leather front seats.

The 2012 Audi Q5 comes with a number of safety features standard and received the highest rating (Good) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on several levels. Standard safety equipment for the Q5 includes driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side thorax airbags, sideguard head curtain airbags (with rollover sensor for both rows), rear side airbags, front seat occupant detection, impact protection (including reinforced high-strength steel/aluminum crossmembers, reinforced bumpers and rigid occupant cell), electronic stability control (with rollover mitigation and crossbar detection system), antilock brake system (with electronic brake-pressure distribution and brake assist) and traction control. Rear-seat airbags are optional for all trims.

Exterior color selections for the 2012 Audi Q5 are Moonlight Blue Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Monsoon Gray Metallic, Glacier White Metallic, Teak Brown Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl Effect and Brilliant Black. Ibis White is available only for the 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.2T Premium Plus and 3.2T Quattro Prestige trims. Daytona Gray Pearl Effect is only available for the 3.2T Premium Plus and 3.2T Quattro Prestige. Interior color choices are Black, Cardamom Beige, Light Gray and Cinnamon Brown. Additional interior color choices for the 3.2T Quattro Prestige include Milano Leather in Black, Cardamom Beige and Light Gray (with the Luxury package).

Owners praise the 2012 Audi Q5’s car-like ride, sporty handling and decent fuel economy. Reviews of the latest version of the Q5 state that it rides nice and tight, drives fast, feels fast and is a lot of fun behind the wheel. The torque the Q5 provides, especially with the 2.0-liter engine, provides more than enough power, rating high both off the line and when passing. The SUV also received high marks for its quiet cabin with minimal road noise.