Before the 2008 model year, if you wanted a compact premium brand crossover, you had two choices, Acura’s RDX and BMW’s X3. For 2008 Infiniti added the EX35. Even though none of these three pioneers has sold well, this year the field is becoming much more crowded. Mercedes recently launched the GLK, Volvo is in the process of launchng the XC60, and the Audi Q5 is just around the corner. And this summer Cadillac will introduce a more compact redesigned SRX.
I had a chance to check out each of these at this year’s NAIAS (Detroit auto show). The Audi has the nicest interior. And it’s also getting the best buzz of the bunch. The Volvo also has a nicer interior than the BMW and Mercedes, but looks a bit odd to me. The Cadillac…not bad, but I think the American entry is going to have a tough time in this suddenly crowded field.
Full price information has recently been released for the Volvo XC60, and partial price information has been released for the Audi Q5, so I’ve input both into TrueDelta’s car price and features database. Comparing all but the Cadillac, for which prices remain unknown, we get the following ranking:
Acura RDX
MSRP: $34,655
Infiniti EX35 (2008, will be higher for 2009)
MSRP: $34,165
Difference: -$490
After adjust for features: $2,885
Volvo XC60 (2010)
MSRP: $38,025
Difference: $3,370
After adjust for features: $4,240
Mercedes-Benz GLK (2010)
MSRP w/AWD: $36,775
Difference: $2,120
After adjust for features: $4,290
Audi Q5
MSRP: $38,025
Difference: $3,370
After adjust for features: $5,095
BMW X3:
MSRP: $39,400
Difference: $5,570
After adjust for features: $7,865
So, the Acura and Infiniti are the least expensive (even before taking into account the huge incentives on the EX35), the Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo are tightly bunched a few thousand higher, and the BMW occupies a price level all its own.
In other words, although BMW X3 sales have never been strong, they’re about to get weaker.
To perform your own car price comparisons, with the features you’d want: