Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder petrol engine delivers 208 bhp at 6000 rpm with with 258 lb-ft of torque arriving at 1500-4200 rpm. 0-62 mph takes 7.2 seconds and the top speed is 137mph. These are impressive credentials for a 4x4 and are helped by the Q5's lightweight build.

The Q5 offers precise and controlled steering and offers a good level of grip. Body roll is well tamed through the bends but the downside of this is that the suspension is quite firm. Noise from the wind and road is barely audible and the engine is relatively quiet at motorway speeds whilst the suspension does a good job of eliminating discomfort by smoothing imperfections in the road. Unfortunately, the off-roading capabilities are not as good.

The Q5 2.0 TFSI Quattro tiptronic offers a more basic level of kit than some models but there are still plenty of options for buyers.

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 all fitted as standard and to enhance the trim, buyers can choose from a substantial list of chargeable extras.

These include a built-in sat nav for £1,990, Bluetooth connectivity for £250, cruise control for £225 and rear parking sensors for £340. The car's comfort and appearance can also be improved with a metallic paint finish on the exterior costing £615 and a leather interior priced at £1,635.

In terms of safety, this model achieved the top five star rating in the NCAP crash tests for overall safety. The safety kit includes driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard with an alarm and immobiliser also fitted to protect the vehicle from theft. The car also comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles to provide drivers assurances over its reliability.

The boot offers 540 litres 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 over its limited space and there is even additional storage available underneath the boot floor. Cabin space is also roomy and the back seats in particular are more than ample for adult passengers, offering high levels of comfort.

This comfort is increased by the quiet drive of the car. Noise from the wind and road is audible but not excessive and the engine is relatively quiet when driven at a constant speed. The vehicle is relatively lightweight as well but this does not mean it is inferior when it comes to quality and all the materials used give the car a reliable and robust feel.

Priced at £30,910 this is one of the cheaper models in the Q5 range thanks to its limited range of standard kit. However, the addition of optional extras sees the price climb at an alarming rate.

Road tax falls under one of the highest tax bands (J) and insurance premiums also fairly high under insurance group 28.

For a 4x4 the fuel economy is average and once again the petrol engine proves to be less efficient than diesel models with efficiency of just 32.8 mpg. This is far from the lowest in the class but refuelling is still going to be expensive.

Green credentials are also poor with the car emitting 199g/km of carbon dioxide, bumping it into a higher tax band when compared to other Q5 models.