30 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
AUDI Q5 FROM $66,700
T
oday’s Audi Q5 might seem
barely changed since the
original in 2009, but there’s
exciting new stuff underneath its
almost the same skin.
Kicking off from $66,700 for
the 2.0-litre TDI diesel quattro
and $67,650 for the 2.0-litre
TFSI petrol quattro, the second-
generation Q5 features a
signifi cantly lighter yet stronger
body than before, the adoption
of sophisticated fi ve-link
independent suspension (with
optional air springs for a smooth,
supple ride — something the
previous Q5 struggled with) and
enough driver-assist safety to
make a Volvo engineer blush.
Clean surfaces, obsessive
quality, precision shutlines — all
are expected Audi hallmarks, yet
the Q5 ups the ante anyway with a
spacious and airy cabin boasting
designer textures, exquisite
materials, cocooning silence and
exceptional tactility.
Thankfully there is actual
depth behind the dazzle, as
revealed by supportive seating,
thoughtful ergonomics (once the
time is taken to learn the fi ddly
steering-wheel controls), superb
ventilation and properly family-
friendly practicality.
Function is on equal footing with
form in the back seat too, with
ample room, shapely cushions and
individual climate controls.
However, the absence of
sliding/reclining rear backrests
is an oversight, though that’s
part of a $2500 Comfort pack
that also boosts the sumptuously
fi nished cargo area’s capacity by
60 litres to 610 litres.
Air-suspended models
introduce a ‘kneel down’ function
that drops the body for easier
loading. It also raises the body
for extra ground clearance when
the terrain requires it.
However, it is the Q5’s car-like
ability to traverse regular roads
that is most remarkable, starting
with the 185kW/370Nm 2.0-litre
four-cylinder turbo petrol Sport,
as tested, priced at $73,600.
Eager off the mark and hungry
for revs, this Tefl on-smooth
powertrain is a pure and punchy
delight, defi ned by instant and
broad throttle responses.
Paired to a quick-shifting seven-
speed dual-clutch transmission,
it’s also frugal to boot, helped out
by stop/start as well as Audi’s
standard fuel-saving ‘quattro
ultra’ all-wheel-drive system; itdecouples whichever axle isn’t
required to maximise effi ciency.
Even greater economy is
possible by opting for the
140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-pot
turbo-diesel, priced at $71,500,
that’s capable of 5.5L/100km.
A 210kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6
turbodiesel, that launches the Q5
to 100km/h in just 5.8 seconds,
costs $84,700.
The fl agship SQ5, due shortly,
runs a 255kW/700Nm 3.0-litre
V6 turbodiesel/mild hybrid
drivetrain that launches it to
100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
Q5 is one of the best-handling
SUVs on the road, delivering
controlled, agile dynamics
combined with rock-solid
roadholding. While more feel
would be welcome, the steering
remains beautifully alert. The
driver can alter its weighting via
the Drive Mode selector that also
adjusts the suspension’s dampers
to comfort or sport.
If you select a Sport-grade Q5,
with 20-inch wheels, adaptive
cruise, LED headlights, racier
seats and Audi’s showy digital
‘Virtual Cockpit’ instrumentation
among other goodies, it’s also
worth paying an extra $4000 forair suspension, which allows
you to dial up an exceptionally
comfortable ride.
Gripes include the high cost
of desirable options, the lack
of manual gearbox availability,
no full-size spare and ... that’s
about it.
So this latest Q5 is a fi ercely
capable, car-like luxury medium
SUV that — with the right extras
— pushes class boundaries.
Don’t buy a BMW X3, Jaguar F
Pace, Mercedes GLC or Volvo
XC60 before driving this fi rst.
If only Audi’s designers were as
bold as its visionary engineers.By Byron MathioudakisS
SafetyPerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
THINGS WE LIKE
Sporty, agile handling
4 Muscular performance with low
fuel consumption
4 Exceptional interior design and
presentation
Luxury ride with air suspension
option
Practical cargo area
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Expensive options
Previous model had reliability issues
Firm ride without air suspension
Adjustable rear bench should be
standard
No full-sized spare
SPEX (2.0 TFSi)
Made in Mexico
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/
seven-speed auto/all-wheel drive
185kW of power from
5000-600rpm/370Nm of torque from
1600-4500rpm
0-100km in 7.3 seconds (claimed)
6.4L/100km highway; 8.8L/100km
city; 95 octane premium; CO²
emissions are 167g/km; fuel tank
is 70 litres
Warranty: Three years/unlimited
kilometres
Max towing weight: 2400kg
Standard: Eight airbags, stability
control, AEB (Autonomous
Emergency Braking), cross traffi c
assist, blind spot monitoring, rear
camera, parking sensors, Virtual
Cockpit, leather, navigation, three-
zone air, Apple CarPlay/Android
Auto, Bluetooth, voice control, WiFi
hotspot, digital radio, tyre-pressure
monitoring, adaptive dampers,
power tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels,
collapsible space-saver spare
Redbook future values: 3yr: 56%;
5yr: 39%compare with ...
Alfa Stelvio, BMW X3, Jaguar
F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery
Sport, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Range
Rover Velar, Volvo XC60