Review of the new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI

We're used to judging the roadgoing attributes of compact 4x4 vehicles by some fairly lax standards. The reasoning goes that such vehicles can be forgiven a lot because of their high centre of gravity, weighty 4x4 mechanicals and rugged off-road suspension. That's why we're often told that a product feels quick 'for a 4x4' or handles neatly 'for a 4x4'. With its Q5, Audi set out to do things differently. It wanted a small off roader that was great on the road, full stop. Did it manage it? If any car can provide the answer, it's the mighty Q5 3.0 TDI.

It's true that the features which give a 4x4 its off-road ability tend to serve as a hindrance to handling and performance on tarmac. Given the fact that most 4x4s are used exclusively on the road, this would appear to be a good argument for not buying one in the first place but there are other advantages. People like the high driving position, easy access and outdoor image and they'll happily put up with vague steering, a choppy ride and lacklustre body control to get them. With its Q5, Audi has attempted to mix the best bits of a compact 4x4 with hatchback handling - a great idea in theory but a tough one to execute in practice.

The Q5 3.0 TDI immediately feels like it's got a lot of engine. The V6 powerplant has 237bhp at its disposal and that's some serious clout in a vehicle of the Q5's size but the crucial figure is the 368Nm of torque that the engine generates from 1,500rpm up to 3,000rpm. When overtaking or accelerating up to motorway speed this torque makes the Q5 seem brutally quick and a 0-60mph sprint time of 6.5s bears this out. This Audi 4x4 is quicker in a straight line than a Golf GTI and as quick as a BMW 330i Coupe. Happily, the Q5 can handle all this power and feels composed and controllable even when you let it off the leash. The ride is on the firm side but there's a mountain of grip and very little of the swaying and lurching that some 4x4s indulge in when they're pitched into a corner.

"Most compact 4x4s are driven on the tarmac so it makes sense to buy one that's designed for the job."

The task of marshalling the power and torque from this advanced diesel engine falls upon the S-Tronic seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that's standard on the 3.0 TDI Q5. This transmission is teetering on the cutting edge of gearbox technology with its twin clutch system and clever electronics predicting and engaging the next gear prior to the driver selecting it with the wheel-mounted paddle shifters. It makes for a lightening fast and buttery-smooth transition between ratios, whether you're flipping the paddles in manual mode or letting the gearbox take care of the whole process. As well as the greater security of four driven wheels, the Q5 also uses an advanced ESP stability control system that can even sense when a roof rack is fitted and compensates for the vehicle's higher centre of gravity by intervening earlier.

The Q5 rides on a lightweight suspension system predominately built of aluminium. The multi-link design front and rear plays a major role in achieving the Q5's composure and a sporty feel on the road, as do the dimensions which are markedly un-SUV. The vehicle is 4,630mm long but only 1,650mm tall, giving it a sleek, ground-hugging stance and bringing the centre of gravity closer to terra firma than in the majority of the Q5's rivals. This low profile look is evidenced by a drag coefficient of just 0.33cd.

The Q5 might not be as bold or brash externally as we've come to expect in the SUV sector but inside, it aims to replicate the interior versatility of its most sizable rivals. Audi's cabin design and build quality remains tough to fault and the Q5 also includes some clever features that make the whole thing more practical to use on a daily basis. The rear seat backs can be reclined to increase comfort and the whole of the back bench can be folded into the floor at a stroke by means of a lever in the boot. Luggage space is 540 litres but once those seats are stowed, 1,560 litres is opened up.

The 3.0-litre TDI engine sits atop the Q5 range and isn't what you would call cheap. It's available in SE or S-Line trim with the S-line model underlining the car's sporty flavour. SE models have an advanced 10-speaker stereo, leather upholstery, 3-zone climate control and parking sensors. S-Line models have all that plus sports suspension, sports seats, Xenon headlights with LED running lights and a host of other exterior styling upgrades.

The Q5 goes head to head with the likes of Land Rover's Freelander and BMW's X3 at the plush end of the compact SUV market. It's the BMW that the Q5's focus on driving dynamics and on-road performance will put it in direct competition with, while the Freelander will probably remain the default choice for buyers actually intending to undertake off-road trips.

Considering the kind of performance that the Q5 3.0 TDI can offer, the running costs aren't too bad. Compare the 37.6mpg economy and 199g/km emissions with the 42mpg and 175g/km you get from the significantly slower 2.0-litre TDI engine and the six-cylinder unit doesn't cost the earth.

The purchase price, on the other hand, will cause some buyers to think twice, even if Audi's usually buoyant residual values will take the sting out of the ownership costs when the time comes to sell it on.

Most compact 4x4s are driven on the tarmac so it makes sense to buy one that's designed for the job. Audi's Q5 doesn't pretend to have much by way of off-road ability but on the road, it feels perfectly at home, particularly with the 3.0-litre TDI engine doing the leg work. Fearsome pulling power and neat handling make this Q5 a family car that can really entertain.

The price and the firm ride are the major drawbacks to a Q5 3.0 TDI. It certainly won't be the model for everyone as the lesser engines in the range fulfil the family car role just as well for a lot less. Running costs are reasonable for a car that can power from standstill to 60mph in six and a half seconds and if you want a compact 4x4 that can put a smile on your face, this is one of a very select breed.

TOP 5 Q5 DEALS

The results below show the top Q5 deals on buyacar

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro 5dr [Start Stop] Diesel Estate
Price £26,666 Read Q5 Reviews	Save £2,474
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro SE 5dr S Tronic Diesel Estate
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Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr S Tronic Diesel Estate
Price £32,234 Read Q5 Reviews	Save £3,076
Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro S Line Plus 5dr S Tronic Estate Special Editions
Price £34,559 Read Q5 Reviews	Save £3,401
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr S Tronic Diesel Estate
Price £35,990 Read Q5 Reviews	Save £3,480
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