Audi Q5

Our verdict

Decent small SUV that can threaten the larger Q7 price-wise if you start getting jiggy with the options

Comfort

Audi bangs on about the Q5 being a ‘sporty' SUV, which it isn't really - it's just a bit stiff. It rides well on the smaller wheel sizes, but drop a set of dubs on the thing (they look the best) and the ride quality deteriorates dramatically. Still, the engines are all rather lovely, there's plenty of space and you could use a Q5 everyday and still have a cheeky grin left over. 

Performance

Most people (77-percent in the UK according to Audi) will plump for the 2.0-TDI with 168bhp, 0-62mph in 9.5 and a top end of 126mph. And you can see why - it just works, smooth, surprisingly revvy, quiet enough. If you want quicker, then you can go for the all-new TFSI petrol with 211bhp, 0-62mph in a Golf GTi-matching 7.2 and 137mph top end. Top of the tree, unusually, is an oil-burner - the 3.0-V6 TDi. And that's quick too, 0-62mph in 6.5 and 139mph. Don't worry though, there isn't a bad engine in the range and the new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox is the best yet.

Cool

In certain sections of society the Q5 is the law. Sections of society where ‘what the neighbours think' is a driving force. In others, it's a very nice thing, with very little desire attached. Are SUVs - even smaller ones - cool anymore?  

Quality

Superb quality from Audi on the Q5 - you just can't fault it. Great materials, lovely engineering - even when they blank off switches for all the stuff you didn't order, it looks good. Even the mapping for the satellite navigation is brilliant.  

Handling

The Q5 has a long wheelbase for its size thanks to a bit of clever packaging that stuffs the diff behind the engine and ahead of the clutch. That makes for a surprisingly capable tall car that could actually surprise lots of stuff. But it's not fun and not exciting. What we have here is a supremely well-engineered car that doesn't revel in going fast, it just does so cleanly and with the minimum fuss. Top points for ability, less for not caring what it feels like. 

Practicality

Not as humongously crap to park in a multi-story carpark as the Q7, the Q5 is actually very, very useful. Plenty of room for four, enough for five, 540-litre boot with the seats up, 1560-litres with them folded. I hate to say this, but you really can stow plenty of stuff and still get there if you like more ‘active' sports...

Running costs

The little diesel (£29,950) will return early 40s mpg, the bigger V6 diesel (£37,540) late thirties and the 2.0-litre petrol (£31,440) low thirties. Insurance is relatively high; 14,15 and 17 depending on your power output, but the road tax is reasonable for an SUV; the 2.0Tdi is just £170 a year, with the other two £210. That's engine efficiency for you.