Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder diesel engine delivers a decent output of 168 bhp at 4200 rpm with 258 lb-ft of torque at 1750-2500 rpm. 0-62mph takes 9.9 seconds and the Q5 will carry on accelerating right up to 126mph. This is pretty good for a 4x4.

The Q5's ride is a little firm but the upside of this is that there is very little body-roll through the corners. The steering is nicely weight and the car grips well through the bends.

Wind and road noise are well isolated and the engine is little more than a distant hum, making it an excellent motorway cruiser. Unfortunately, the off-road capabilities are limited and the model is definitely better suited to city landscapes.

The Q5 is a good looking car, if a little anonymous. Audi could have been more adventurous with the styling and, to the untrained eye, the Q5 looks pretty similar to the larger Q7 and the smaller Q3.

The 2.0 litre TDI Quattro offers a basic trim level with standard equipment including power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows and an advanced stereo system with a CD player and MP3 connectivity.

To enhance the trim, buyers can choose to upgrade the external appearance with a metallic paint finish for £615 and cruise control can be added for £225 to improve drivability. A leather interior will set drivers back £1,635 whilst Bluetooth connectivity costs an extra £250 and a built-in sat nav is billed at £1,990 - meaning that the price of this model could soon mount up.

This model comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard - something which helped it achieve the full five star rating for overall safety in the NCAP crash tests. An alarm and immobiliser are also fitted to protect the vehicle from theft and the car comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles. The quality of the build and the materials used are also high and this means drivers can expect years of trouble free service.

In terms of practicality the boot offers a decent 540 litres of space when the seats are in place, expanding to 1,560 litres when they are folded down. This is larger than the Q3 range which received some criticism for its average boot space and there is even additional storage available underneath the boot floor whilst cabin room is spacious throughout the front and rear of the car, making long journeys comfortable for all occupants.

Priced at £29,150 this model is far more attractive than some of its petrol equivalents. Whilst performance takes a slight hit, the economy is improved in this model and that means keeping it on the road should cost less. Compared to the petrol 2.0 TFSI Quattro, the car incurs lower insurance premiums under insurance group 22 (compared to group 28 for the petrol 2.0 TFSI) and lower road tax under tax band G (compared to band J). Improved combined fuel economy of 45.6mpg should also help drivers look after the pennies.

Resale values are expected to be very healthy.