2009 Audi Q5 Reviews

Audi has been the mover in the local prestige market for the past few years, steadily increasing its footprint by moving into every corner of the market frequented by the well-heeled among us. It began with a range of passenger cars, but it was only a matter of time before it sunk its teeth into the SUV market.NEWAudi has been the mover in the local prestige market for the past few years, steadily increasing its footprint by moving into every corner of the market frequented by the well-heeled among us. It began with a range of passenger cars, but it was only a matter of time before it sunk its teeth into the SUV market. The Q5 was its main strike SUV weapon.It was a medium-sized SUV that was nicely priced to appeal to 'burb dwellers looking for a wagon with style and road presence. Under the four-door SUV wagon laid Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a choice of four petrol and diesel engines.Apart from the aggressive Audi grille the styling was rather plain; the lines were clean, the shapes boxy. Open the door and you entered a roomy cabin with comfortable accommodation for five with heaps of creature comforts like compartments for wet of dirty items and drink holders for heating and cooling, as well as the usual things like air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, and great sound systems. There was also neat flexibility built into the cabin to make it more useful.Not only was the cabin spacious, with great luggage space, you could fold the rear seat flat to create an even more sizable space for carrying stuff. With four engines in the range there was one for everyone, whatever your priority. For economy there was the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines, for performance there was the 3.2-litre V6 petrol, and for a combination of performance and economy there was the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel that would sprint to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and deliver 7.5 L/100 km between fuel stops.There was just one transmission offered, that was a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, and the final drive was through all four wheels with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. On the road the Q5 accelerated briskly, was smooth and flexible, and quiet and comfortable to ride in.NOWNow three years old the Q5 is coming off lease and moving into the sphere of the second hand buyers looking to own a prestige car at a discount price. A used Q5 can be had for the price of a new model from less prestige brands, like Honda, Nissan, Toyota etc., which can be an appealing prospect for many buyers.The build quality of the Q5 is such that there is little to show for three years or so on the road, unless they've been hammered mercilessly for the first years of ownership will still be showing near new as they move into their new owners hands. While it's unlikely that they will have been mistreated it's still wise to make the usual checks for regular servicing and crook panel work.When test driving a car for possible purchase drive it in as many situations as possible, low-speed crawl, high-speed freeway, fast acceleration, manoeuvring at walking speed etc. Listen for knocks and clunks from the suspension, also thoroughly check out the operation of the rather complex seven-speed auto transmission.Walk away if you observe any glitch in its function. Drive around congestion areas, like schools, parking lots etc. and local roads and check for blind spots. Large pillars can often restrict your vision and block your view of pedestrians, cyclists and children. It should also be noted that the petrol versions of the Q5 require premium unleaded petrol, they also have large low-profile tyres that can be expensive to replace, and parts and servicing are relatively expensive.SMITHY SAYSAs good as an SUV gets the Q5 is a first class choice for second hand buyers with cash to splash.AUDI Q5 - 2009-2010Price new: $59,990 to $71,990 Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 125 kW/ 350 Nm; 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, 155 kW/350 Nm; 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, 176 kW/500 Nm; 3.2-litre V6, 199 kW/330 Nm. Transmissions: 7-speed dual-clutch auto, AWD Economy: 6.8 L/100 km (2.0 TD), 8.5 L/100 km (2.0T), 7.5 L/100 km  (3.0TD), 9.3 L/100 km (3.2) Body: 4-door wagon Variants: 2.0 TDi, 2.0 TFSi, 3.0 TDi, 3.2 FSi Safety: 5-star ANCAP 

Another day, another SUV has popped up to give drivers the warm/fuzzy feeling they can get away from it all.Except in truth, there's every chance a 2WD utility with a limited-slip diff or a diff-lock could go as far off the beaten track - perhaps even further - than some of these prestige SUVs.I was prepared to be underwhelmed by the Q5, thinking it would be yet another Audi — and yet another compact SUV — with no real skills for either sealed or unsealed roads.Not that I doubt the efforts of the German marque, but the SUV brigade is becoming domesticated in the same way that service stations are now supermarkets that sometimes deign to sell fuel.We're in the 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol four-cylinder, with the S-tronic double-clutch gearbox.Design and packaging A shrunken Q7, the Q5 is handsome without being stunning but has a functional cabin full of features.As a family wagon there's much to like about the Q5 - for example, an automatic tailgate for the parent with arms full of child and/or groceries.The interior isn't hugely spacious but has enough room to accommodate parents, kids and trappings, and the driver has good vision (although the A-pillars are a little on the thick side).Equipment There’s a heap of equipment on offer, some of its even standard - a 6CD, 10-speaker sound system, climate control, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags, rain sensing wipers, an anti-glare centre rearvision mirror, stability and hill descent control and automatic headlights.The test car had plenty of options, including , 18in alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, hill holder, keyless access, powered front seats, satellite navigation system with 6CD chnager sound system and the Audi Music Interface (AMI) system, the electric tailgate, tri-zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring system and Milano leather trim.Driving The double-clutch seven-speed gearbox has imperceptible cog changes - even when the car is in dynamic suspension mode, which alters the shift pattern as well as suspension - but the two-litre powerplant needs a proper prod of the sharp throttle pedal to get things underway.Low-speed work on inclines needs to be done carefully as the double-clutch gearboxes of Audi (and others) are as yet unable to read minds.Once up and well into the boost from the turbocharger, the two-litre engine keeps the Q5 humming along, without sucking large amounts of PULP in the process - we got 13.5 with some enthusiastic hill driving not doing it any favours.The other good news for the driver is the 40 front/60 rear torque split, something that's becoming more common in Audis, which helps counteract the nose-heavy nature of some of the models.The adaptive suspension, which offers acceptable ride quality in comfort mode, firms up considerably in auto mode, as does the steering effort.Dynamic mode takes the steering from heavy to very heavy, but the body control is good without completely destroying ride quality.Recent inclement weather through the Adelaide hills gave the Audi road conditions suited to showing off its handling and traction.Unsealed, rough back roads were dealt with easily - even with the ESP in off-road mode (it can't be turned completely off) the all-wheel drive wasn't phased by the conditions and the little wagon got from A to B in good time for dry conditions, let alone for the damp stormy weather it was enduring.Twisty bitumen - seasoned with moss, pine needles and the odd branch that succumbed to gales - was handled remarkably well, with dynamic mode keeping body roll in check and the willing engine providing decent pace.There's no shortage of choice in this segment and the Germans have ample representation - the Q5, even with the options list pushing the price up, is a talented machine that deserves consideration.Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Price: from $59,900.Engine: two-litre DOHC 16-valve intercooled turbcharged direct-injection four-cylinder, requires 95RON.Transmission: dual-clutch seven-speed automated manual, quattro all-wheel drive, with self-locking centre differential.Power: 155kW between 4300 & 6000rpm.Torque: 350Nm between 1500 & 4200rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 7.2 seconds. Top speed 222km/h.Fuel consumption: 8.5 litres/100km, on test 13.5 litres/100km, tank 75 litres.Emissions: 197g/km.Rivals BMW X3, from $62,200.Lexus RX350, from $82,900.Volkswagen Touareg, from $65,490.Volvo XC60, from $71,950. 

These are expected to help it to cement an opening success for the model.The Q5 has topped compact SUV sales (against notable rivals like the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60) in the two months since it arrived, with 150 per month driving out of showrooms, and “it will not take long before it is the leader in the segment,” says the Australian managing director Joerg Hofmann.DrivetrainsThe new arrivals are a smaller and more economical turbodiesel and a larger petrol unit.Slipping in under the current 176kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel, the 2.0-litre version develops substantially less output, with 25kW at 4200rpm and 350Nm between 1750-2500rpmbut makes up for that with an equally substantial improvement in fuel economy – 6.8L/100km claimed on a combined cycle compared to 7.5L/100 for the larger unit. However it takes 9.9 seconds to get to 100km/h, where the bigger oilburner (whose torque comes in a little lower at 1500rpm) manages it in a very respectable 6.5.Those concerned about bowser binge should pass over the new 3.2-litre V6 petrol, which asks a 9.3L/100km toll for its 199kW at 6500rpm and 330Nm between 3000-5000rpm, where the current 2.0-litre four-cylinder uses 8.5L to produce 155kW and 350Nm. However the V6 does give slightly better performance, with it reaching 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, compared to 7.2 for the smaller unit.All engines are mated to a twin-clutch seven-speed ‘S-tronic’ sequential transmission driving all four corners with Audi’s quattro system in a 40/60 split that can send up to 65 per cent of the torque to the front and up to 85 per cent to the rear. The double plate clutch allows preselection of the gears so there is no interruption to power in changes, which Audi says take place in 0.01 sec.Pricing and sales The Q5 starts with the 2.0 TFSI petrol and 2.0 TDI turbodiesel at $59,900, then there’s a jump to the $69,900 3.2-litre V6 FSI petrol and a small hop to the 3.0 TDI at $71,900. However those are the basic prices without charges and duties, so check with your dealer for the accurate price.Audi is expecting to sell about 125 of the Q5 per month – or 1500 per year — with the four-cylinder petrol and diesel versions taking 70 per cent of the sales between them, and the 3.0-litre TDI grabbing 25 per cent of traffic with the V6 petrol appealing to just 5 per cent of buyers.Safety, fit-out and equipment There are six airbags, hill descent control among the safety list, but the highlightsis the stability program that can be switched from normal to off-road function, including a system that compensates for extra weight when it detects that the vehicle is carrying roof racks – although that compensation is automatic and adjustment is the same whether or not the racks are empty.Other standard goodies include leather seat trim, cruise control, Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking alerts, automatic airconditiong, a multi-function steering wheel and 17” alloy footwear.However there is a substantial list of options to splash out on: adaptive suspension, panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, a 40GB multi-media entertainment and info system, power seat adjustment, a folding front seat to maximise space, even a heating and cooling double cupholder. But adding a couple of these will start blowing out the sticker price, and some of the features might have been expected as standard in a premium SUV.Driving There’s no doubt the direct-injected 3.2-litre V6 offers the better performance of the two new engines. It was nearly always a joy to play with, offering plenty of response as it crossed off every task on the list, with the seven-speed gearbox giving slick smooth changes from either the shifter or the F1-style steering wheel paddles, and great turn-in to encourage faster tossing around corners.The only time the combination failed to impress was launching off the line, which happened with a hesitation and lurch. This, coupled with oddly heavy steering, undermined an otherwise great report card.Car-like manners are helped by the better balance possible with the engine being placed a little further back in the chassis, and the behaviour is further tightened in the dynamic mode of the optional ‘Drive Select’ adjustable damper system. Putting the gadget into comfort mode lets a bit of wallow appear over bitumen swells. But even those who shell out the extra thousands for the system will probably end up settling for the middle automatic mode. And leaving it there.The 2.0-litre diesel, despite the help of a turbocharger, gave fairly competent performance that was at best unremarkable – and at worst had us burying our shoes in the carpet to encourage it up slopes.No surprise to find a superbly finished interior in the Q5 – it’s what you expect from Audi – but the wood accent in the V6 we tested was worth remarking on. We’re not big fans of dead tree trim, mostly because these days even the finest burl dies in vain to be lacquered to an extent that makes it indistinguishable from cheap plastic imitation. But the natural finish of the Q5’s ash inlays was a pleasure for eye and hand. Sure, it’s a minor feature, but it’s one that sums up the entire cabin finish: restrained, stylish and high quality.There’s plenty of space, and more to be had with rear seats that slide over 100mm in addition to folding 40:20:40, upping the Q5’s carrying versatility.The question becomes whether a fuel saving of 0.7L/100km is enough to drive you into the smaller diesel over the larger, and if a 0-100km/h gain of 0.3 seconds is enough to lure you into the larger petrol over the smaller one. Of the four, on paper it’s still looking like the 3.0-litre diesel, which is faster than the V6 petrol, should turn out to be the star.But despite doubt over those queries, there’s none about the question of whether or not the Q5 has the goods to challenge its rivals.Audi Q5 Price: from around $59,900 (check with your dealer for accurate final pricing)Engines: 2.0L/4-cylinder turbodiesel 125kW/350Nm; 2.0L/4-cylinder turbo petrol 155kW/350Nm; 3.0L/V6 turbodiesel 176kW/500Nm; 3.2L/V6 199kW/330Nm direct injected petrolTransmission: 7-speed S-Tronic autoPerformance: 0-100km/h: 9.9 secs (2.0 TDI); 7.2 secs (2.0 TFSI); 6.5 secs (3.0 TDI); 6.9 secs (3.2 FSI)Economy: 6.8L/100km (2.0 TDI); 8.5L/100km (2.0 TFSI); 7.5L/100km (3.0 TDI); 9.3L/100km (3.2 FSI)

The kiddie down the street gets a new toy and the one closer to home wants one as well.It matters not a jot that they don't really need one — after all, the toy box is pretty full. Lots of shiny new toys in there already.Still, what can you do? Can't let the neighbours get away in the `who's got what’ stakes, so a new toy it is.Audi's is called the Q5 ... and you've got to say, it's pretty impressive.The little brother of the rather more imposing — and environmentally insensitive — Q7 is aimed squarely at BMW's X3, Volvo’s XC60 and, to some degree, even at its little cousin, the VW Tiguan.What is certain is that it is going to hit plenty of hot buttons, from size to styling to performance. If you can afford it, are married, aged around 45 and very internet savvy Audi is looking for you."The Q5 is an expansion of the product range to an area where we haven't been before," Audi Australia's general manager for marketing, Immo Buschman, says. "It is progressive and sporty with a lot of technology which has flowed down from the A6 and A8 (sedans)."It is a summary of a lot of different aspects — safety, design, performance, technology ..."Drivetrains and pricingThe Q5 arrives with an engine range of four — two petrol, two diesel, two four-cylinders, two V6s with a price spread from $59,900 to $71,900.Immediately available are the four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI at $59,900 (the similarly-priced 2.0 TDI will arrive in about a month) and the sweet 3.0 TDI at $71,900.The petrol 3.2-litre V6 FSI will be in showrooms around the same time as the 2.0-litre diesel and will start at $69,900.Audi is expecting to sell around 1500 Q5s in a full year with 70 per cent of the sales split between the two four-cylinder models while the 3.0-litre diesel is predicted to account for 25 per cent of traffic and the V6 petrol a mere 5 per cent.The pricing is purely indicative because if you want to add the extra bling to your new toy it is going to cost you. Even metallic paint is an eye-watering $1900.Optional featuresThe cars as tested on the launch driver were bristling with options. Our 3.0 TDI model was pumped with features like the $6200 Multi Media Interface with Audi Music Interface (that's a 40 gigabyte hard drive which will hold 10,000 songs as long as they aren't i-tunes or from a commercial CD because those files are protected and can't be downloaded), Xenon headlights at $2283, the adaptive suspension and steering package at $5215 ... that lifts the basic $71,900 car well into the $80,000-range and that's just for starters. Throw in some bigger wheels, adaptive cruise control, lane and side assist, reversing camera and a folding front seat and six-figures here we come.You can perform a similar inflation exercise with the four-cylinder models.The real shame is that while all the bells and whistles are nice there was no way of telling from the launch drive just how good a basic drive-away model may be.The suspicion is that with A4 underpinnings, quattro all-wheel drive and a cabin trim comparable to anything we have come to expect from Audi there wouldn't be a lot to dislike.Driving As to what we could experience ... well, BMW had best look to their laurels, this is no longer a one-horse race.Not only has the XC60 come out to play, the Q5 will lay seige to the high ground BMW's X3 has previously enjoyed almost unchallenged.Slip into the Q5's cabin — an easy task given the car's high ride and ample room — and it is immediately obvious that there is nothing nasty and SUV-ish lurking nearby.It is all very ... well, very Audi. All the necessaries are there, they are all nicely trimmed and well positioned and everything feels nice and rich.What the Q5 does do is make the most of the space there is. The rear-seats slide back and forward over a 100mm range for extra legroom or extra luggage space, the seats fold in a 40:20:40 split to meet almost any luggage-lugging requirements and even the front seat — for an optional $350 — will fold flat to allow an extra-long load.On the move the 3.0-litre diesel is the stand-out winner. The strong, silent type — great mid-range urge and as quiet as some less-refined petrol types.Ride on the adaptive suspension ranges from firm to really, really firm — sort of uncomfortable unless you are setting out to toss the car through some really twisty roads.Do that and the dynamic setting on the suspension makes a lot of sense. It not only focuses the attention of the dampers but sparks the seven-speed double-clutch auto into life as well.Body roll is minimal, the Q5 turns in happily with minimum disruption and a whole bag of grip — it will even allow for little mid-corner corrections with getting all fussy and unsettled.Steering feel is initially quite heavy, to an artificial degree, and while not particularly communicative there is enough feedback to instill confidence that where you point you will go.During the launch drive Audi set the cars over around 35kms of broken bush track strewn with loose rocks, moderate washouts and plenty of loose gravel. There was little that could be called real off-road driving but it was enough to show that the Q5 is not going to blush at the prospect of getting that out-of-the-way picnic spot or out to the farm.Traction and stability control are switchable to a more tolerant off-road setting which allows for a little necessary slip on softer surfaces.Our run over the rough surfaces, at a fairly descent clip, had little effect on the 3.0-litre diesel although on the previous day two of the cars had failed to proceed with what is believed to be hydraulic leaks in the steering.Audi is still investigating the cause.Price: from $59,900 to $71,900Engine: 2.0L/4-cylinder turbo diesel 125kW/350Nm; 2.0L/4-cylinder turbo 155kW/350Nm; 3.0L/V6 turbo diesel 176kW/500Nm; 3.2L/V6 199kW/330NmTransmission: 7-speed S-Tronic autoEconomy: 6.8L/100km (2.0 TDI); 8.5L/100km (2.0 TFSI); 7.5L/100km (3.0 TDI); 9.3L/100km (3.2 FSI)

The eagerly awaited five-seater joins its larger sibling the Q7, looking not unexpectedly like a smaller version of that wagon.Following close on the heels of Volvo's new XC60, it will compete in the rapidly expanding, mid-sized, premium soft road segment — a segment until recently dominated by BMW's X3.Priced from $59,900, Q5 comes to market with a choice of four engines, all teamed with Audi's new 7-speed S tronic automated manual (the equivalent of VW's acclaimed DSG twin clutch box).Two engines will be available initially — a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four and 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, with a 2.0-litre diesel and 3.2-litre petrol V6 to come.With low fuel consumption, the 2.0-litre diesel avoids luxury car tax and will be priced the same as the four cylinder petrol model, with the 3.2-litre V6 $69,900 and 3.0-litre diesel $71,900.Audi launched the Q5 this week in the dry but beautiful Snowy Mountains where we were able to drive the cars over a combination of dirt and bitumen roads, with some light off road stuff thrown in.Originally, it had been planned to drive the cars across continent, as the company did with Q7, but in the current financial climate the plans were reluctantly shelved.The Q5 came though with flying colours, with ride and handling that is more like a car than a four-wheel drive.It is aimed at well heeled buyers who like to get out and about but have no need for a third row of seats.Q5 is 4.63m long, 1.88m wide and 1.65m high, with the longest wheelbase in the segment.With 200mm of ground clearance, it is underpinned by Audi's trademark Quattro all-wheel drive system, which is a fulltime system with a 60 per cent bias towards the rear wheels.Considering its 1740kg bulk, performance even from the entry level four cylinder petrol engine was surprisingly strong.It's the same turbocharged four that will power VW's new GTI, with power up from 147 to 155kW, but torque pegged at 350Nm.With direct fuel injection, it features Audi's new valvelift system (AVS) which varies valve lift for increased power output and optimum fuel economy.The dash from 0 to 100km/h takes 7.2 seconds with fuel economy a claimed 8.5 litres/100km.The 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel features third generation common rail technology, delivering 176kW and 500Nm of torque from 1500rpm.The diesel feels heavier in the front but can still dispatch the dash in just 6.5 seconds, at a rate of 7.5 litres/100km.The cars we drove were equipped with variable suspension and some with variable steering too — both of which are optional.The steering is responsive and handling is sharp, with plenty of grip from the 18in 235/60 Bridgestone rubber, allowing the car to be pushed hard with confidence.It's a PR nightmare when something goes wrong on a launch and as Murphy's law would have it the power steering failed on two vehicles within minutes of each other after a section of off road.Audi is yet to identify the cause of the failure, but the two vehicles were immediately shipped back to base for a thorough inspection.Other than that, the Q5 performed impeccably.The stability control system cannot be turned off entirely, but has a special off road setting that attenuates braking and engine intervention to provide maximum traction.The stability system can even compensate for the weight of a luggage pod fitted to the roof bars.Inside the car is finished to the usual high Audi standard, with a rear seat that slides 100mm and splits 40:20:40, with a front passenger seat that folds down to accept longer loads.With 540 litres of luggage space, it has the largest load carrying capacity in its class.It is equipped with a space saver spare wheel.The Q5 can be optioned with a host of accessories including a sophisticated entertainment and navigation system complete with 40Gb hard drive.Standard equipment includes a 180 watt 10- speaker sound system, but Bluetooth and iPod connectivity remain optional.

It may be a latecomer, but Audi is taking no prisoners when it launches its mid-sized luxury soft-roader here next year. The stylish five-seat Q5, baby brother of the seven-seat Q7, will tackle the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLK and Land Rover Freelander in the premium SUV market.Audi is confident it can garner 1000 sales a year for its new coupe-styled quattro SUV. If it succeeds, that will make the Q5 the fourth best-selling model in the brand's Australian line-up behind the A4, A3, and Q7.Audi makes no apologies for the Q5's late timing which, until now, had given BMW a free hit at the premium market, saying it wanted to establish its core vehicles such as the A3, A4, A6 and TT before concentrating on niche models.Should BMW be unduly worried about this newcomer? Based on our brief taste test the answer is clearly yes because it beats the X3 in several key areas, including value for money.Audi will initially launch the permanent all-wheel drive Q5 in April with one level of equipment, one automatic transmission and four fuel-efficient engines two diesels andtwo petrol. Final pricing hasn't been worked out but the start-up price is expected to be just over $60,000 and spread to about $80,000. Other versions of the Q5, such as the sporty S-Line, will come later next year.Standard equipment across the four variants will be comprehensive, including eight air bags, full leather upholstery, hill-descent control, airconditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, LED running lights, six-stack six-speaker premium sound system, central locking, an electromechanical parking brake, cruise control and alloy roof rails.But the options list is just as longand includes Audi's Dynamic Steering system (standard on the V6 petrol version) and Drive Select where you can change the suspension's damper settings from comfort to firmer dynamic. Tick all the boxes and the price of the Q5 will easily nudge $100,000. In what is thought to be a world first, the Q5 can sense if theroof rails are being used to carry extra cargo (limited to 100kg) such as bikes, canoe or storage pod on top of the wagon and will adjust the electronic stability control system to a more conservative setting to take into account the vehicle's higher centreof gravity. As with most SUVs, it also comes with a downhill assist system.This slows the vehicle on steep slopes. But Audi has calibrated its system for European ice and snow conditions and it is expected to be changed for Australia. At present it operates at 9-30km/h, speeds that are too high for off-road work.The coupe styling with its long nose, curved roof and short tail masks just how big the wagon is. Nose to tail it stretches 4.6m, is 1.8m wide and has a wheelbase of 2.8m. These dimensions make it longer and wider (and mean it stands lower) than its opposition.In standard form, cargo space is surprisingly roomy and big enough to swallow four sets of golf clubs and there's good under floor storage but at the cost of a full-sized spare wheel.All four models feature direct injection fuel motors and the latest versionof Audi's seven-speed S tronic, its version of VWs DSG dual clutch manual/automatic gearbox.The range will open with a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine (TFSi) with Audi's new fuel-saving valve lift system and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel (TDi).Those wanting more power can have a 3.0-litre V6 TDi diesel or the 3.2-litre V6 turbo petrol range topper. Diesel is expected to be 60 per cent of sales.On first impression, there's much to like about the Q5. It's a competent, stylish and comfortable wagon with the quality of fit and finish expected from the innovative German brand.This is an easy wagon to live with in the urban jungle. It has good visibility, although the rear headrests and a narrow rear window make using the rear park assist a welcome additionto the equipment list.Good sound insulation largely cocoons the cabin from outside noise.The A4-styled interior is plush and workable thanks to a flexible seating layout — including rear seats that can be folded and adjusted fore and aft and a flat-folding front passengerseat that is a first for Audi.As for its dynamics, we will leave the final verdict on the Q5s rideuntil we get a chance to drive iton Australian roads. It handles Spain's dead-flat sealed secondary roads with aplomb but we couldn't test the Q5's performance off-road because the Spanish government refused Audi permission to go bush.This was allegedly because of the summer fire hazard. But a narrow, corrugated dirt road we did find similar to what we have in rural Australia — and it showed that Audi may still have some recalibrating to do on the softish suspension.Left in auto mode, the wagon produced an uneasy loping ride with plenty of suspension travel.To be fair, however, the gravel road was too short to make any objective judgment. On sealed country roads the Q5 was just the opposite — agile and comfortable at normal speeds, but bit ragged beyond the envelope.The 3.0-litre diesel with its seven-speed S tronic transmission from the Audi TT is clearly the pick of the engines, overcoming the wagon's 1.8 tonne weight which takes the edgeoff both 2.0-litre motors.The 3.0-litre diesel uses just 7.5 litres per 100km and a sprint time of 6.5 seconds for 0-100km/h.Peak torque of 500Nm from 1500rpm to 3000rpm gives it almost instant acceleration across the normal speed ranges.The dual clutch S tronic transmission is a beauty but you do need to work at getting the Q5 off the line.