Audi Q5 3.0 TDI 2012 Review

There's something just right about the Audi Q5. It's not too big, so parking the mid-sized SUV isn't like docking a ship and a quick look at the rear seats and cavernous cargo area shows it isn't too small to cope with a fully loaded weekend away.

No surprises then when a check of the latest sales figures shows the four-ringed vehicle to be Australia's top-selling prestige soft-roader.

VALUE

The Q5 range starts at $62,200 for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel and runs to $75,500 for the V6 3.0 TDI Carsguide tested. Ticking the boxes to bring the base model to the same spec as the 3.0 will cost $6663 (18-inch alloys $2065, keyless entry $1338, three-zone airconditioning $1260, steering wheel with paddle shifts $585, electric driver's seat $1415).

Buyers are effectively paying about $6600 for the engine's extra two cylinders - and it's worth every cent. Performance ramps up from sedate to sensational and the trade-off is only half a litre of diesel every 100km.

TECHNOLOGY

Outrageous tech isn't Audi's style - it's the sum of the quality parts that make the marque so popular. The seven-speed twin clutch automated manual transmission is as smooth as a sales spiel and there's a hill-descent function for those who do head off-road.

Given that many won't, it'd be nice to see the more practical hill-hold feature standard instead of a $110 option. The famous quattro all-wheel drive system is as unobtrusive as ever and comes with a self-locking centre diff to help regulate torque on those slippery tiled driveways the Q5 is most likely to encounter.

DESIGN

Audi has hit the sweet spot with the Q5. It has more road presence than an X3, is more luxurious than a Land Rover Freelander and looks classier than the Volvo XC60. As far as family DNA goes, the Q7 might have more space and features but it's not the head-turner the Q5 is.

Inside the elevated ride is the only concession that this is an SUV. The controls take a few minutes to get used to - you use the same dial to control the aircon's temperature and fan speed - but you don't need an electronics degree to work them out. It's posh and practical - and that's a tough act to get right.

SAFETY

German engineering, high-tensile metals and the latest electronic aids make this a five-star car, according to Euro NCAP. Volvo's XC60 is the safest car in the class with the Audi second and Kia's much-lauded Sportage third.

Just as important for potential buyers is the fact it feels solid - the doors shut with a reassuring (but muted - we don't want to disturb the ambience) thud, there's no give in the dash plastics and body roll is minimal.

DRIVING

This diesel-snorting V6 shows why no one out-engineers the Germans. It is a monster everywhere except the bowser, with official fuel use of 7.5 litres/100km despite the car weighing 1865kg... In the real world that pushes up into the mid-eights - or higher if you insist on using the transmission in sports mode. 

The novelty will wear off after a couple of days when owners realize "D" does the job just as well 99 per cent of the time. After all, we're talking about a vehicle that hits 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds.

The steering is very light around town but beefs up on the highway and the handling is good over speed humps or on gravel roads, when the ESP can be switched to off-road mode.

VERDICT

If style and load are important the Audi holds a narrow edge in this segment. The BMW X3 has the better engine and is a more composed drive but few owners will push either car anywhere close to their limits. So for most it will come down to road presence . and the Q5 is a better-proportioned bus.

Audi Q5 3.0 TDI

Price: $75,500
Warranty: Three years/unlimited km
Resale: 82 per cent (Glass's Guide
Service intervals: Driving dependant, up to two years
Safety: Five stars
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 176kW/500Nm
Body: Five-door wagon
Dimensions: 5629mm (L), 1880mm (W), 1653mm (H), 2807mm (WB), 1617mm/1713mm tracks front/rear
Weight: 1865kg
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual, AWD
Thirst: 7.5 litres/100km, 199g/km CO2