Originally Posted by iamthewalrus

What's interesting to me about this thread is how focused I am on one key feature: the transmission. If either the Q5 or the X3 offered a true, three-pedal, 6-spd manual I wouldn't bother looking at the other one. Seriously. That's why I bought my 2006 X3 3.0i (m-sport, manual, xenons, premium, etc.). It was manual, and at the time it was the only all-wheel drive, manual SUV available in the US. Today, that title goes to the Mini Countryman. Manual drivers must truly be a dying breed (I'm 36) if neither Audi nor BMW will offer a manual SUV. It's a shame.