Audi Q5 2.0 TDI and 3.2 V6 2009 review

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.

Drivetrains

Explore the 2009 Audi Q5 range

• Audi Q5 3.0 TDI Quattro 2009 review
• Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro 2009 review
• Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro 2009 review
• Audi Q5 2.0 TDI and 3.2 V6 2009 review
• Audi Q5 2009 review

The 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 petrol
Transmission: 7-speed S-Tronic auto
Performance: 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)