Insurance Group: 22
MPG: 45.6
CO2: 162
0-62 Mph: 11.4 secs
BHP: 141 BHP
Range: 752 miles
PROS: Great looks, neat sporty build. Fast with good handling. Economical engine for a 4x4/crossover. Spacious inside.
CONS: It has a rather firm ride, which is intensified on bumpy roads. The off-set pedals can be frustrating before you get used to them. Not the most powerful 4x4.
The Q5 runs on a 1968cc 4-cylinder, 16-valve 2.0 litre diesel engine. It outputs 141 bhp (143ps) at 4200 rpm and has a torque of 236 lb-ft between 1750-2500 rpm. It has a standard 6-speed, manual transmission gear-box and a top speed of 118mph and goes from 0-62 mph in 11.4 seconds. Well, with an economy return of 45.6 mpg, who would complain? It is one of the most fuel efficient in its class.
The car has superb handling and high levels of grip. The suspension is a bit too firm though, making the ride firm and bumpy especially for rear passengers.
The cabin is adequately insulated from outside noises so you will enjoy a quiet ride. The engine too runs quietly. Visibility is excellent from all angles and mirrors.
Audi has never disappointed when it comes to car design and equipment. The Q5 is no exception. It is a 5-door 4x4 with 5 seats and can comfortably accommodate a medium-size family.
In the Q5, standard features are more than adequate. It has 3-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, leather seats, alloy wheels, electric door and window mirrors, driver airbags, passenger airbags and front side airbags, alarm, immobilizer, MP3 connectivity and CD player.
Other features are available at a cost, including £615 metallic paint, £225 cruise control, £1990 SAT NAV and £250 Bluetooth. These are purely optional. Your Audi will still be as cool without them.
While the driving position is high enough, it is upstaged by the off-set pedals which take time to get used to. Everything else about the Q5 is remarkable though. In fact, the designers make up for the pedal discomfort with easy-to-use, within-reach, dial-controls.
There is plenty of cabin room, meaning taller passengers could easily make this car a lifetime best friend. You can move your knees about when seated and even stretch your neck without hitting the roof. The rear seats fold completely, providing additional boot space when needed. Talking of boot space, there is plenty of it in the Q5. At 540 litres with the chairs up and 1,560 litres with chairs folded, there is enough room to carry a weekend’s worth of camping gear.
The glove compartment is spacious and neat, as are the multiple cup and bottle holders.
The Q5 scored an NCAP overall rating of 5 which speaks favourably of its safety. It has all the standard security features: stability control, central locking, roof rack sensor, ESP stability control configurations and Hill Descent Control for off-road driving. This doesn’t make it a primary choice for off-road driving though (the Land Rover Freelander remains unbeatable in this) but it beats the BMW X3 hands down.
The Q5 is in insurance group 22. It has a decent CO2 emission level at 162g/km, hence falling under road tax band G which attracts £165 annually. Its closest competitor in class, the BMW X3 has a lower CO2 emission at 150g/km. Though not the best, the Audi Q5 still performs better than most cars in its class.
New models are currently selling at £30,375 with a 3 year warranty and a 60,000 mileage service interval. Buying the Audi Q5 4X4 will certainly leave a hole in your bank account but your consolation is that it has very low running costs. Its resell value is also pretty high; a win-win situation for you.
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You might want to read reviews for other Small 4x4 cars that you can then compare to the Audi Q5. Here are some popular Audi Q5 alternatives:
