Audi Q5 2.0 TDI SE

The Q5 has the all the attributes you would expect from a modern Audi. Well built and smartly styled it has a first class cabin and is great to drive. In fact its road manners set new standards in the compact SUV segment, although it carries a considerably price premium over the similarly spacious A4 Avant. If you simply must have an SUV and don’t need the off-road ability of the Land Rover Freelander the new Q5 is the best prestige model money can buy.

With sales of big off-roaders diminishing, the German firm has picked a good time to launch a baby brother to the massive Q7.

Available to order now, there’s a choice of three engines – 2.0 and 3.0-litre TDI diesels and a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol. There’s the usual choice of SE or S-Line trim and the entry-level diesel comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Outside, Audi hasn’t taken any risks – you get the familiar grille and in profile it looks like a raised up A4 Avant, while at the back there are shades of the Q7.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi Q5

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The end result is a chunky well-proportioned car that Audi owners will feel very comfortable with. It’s a similar story inside – the A4-style cabin is classy and wonderfully put together. It’s features Audi’s MMI control system, an electric parking brake and an excellent seating position.

The loftier stance of the Q5 means visibility is great, and in the back the £170 optional sliding seat package allows the rear bench to split fold and slide back and forth independently. The 540-litre boot is bigger than an A4 Avant and while rear legroom isn’t huge the Q5 is practical enough to appeal to family buyers.

With the intention of making sure the Q5’s road manners are not compromised, the engine is mounted longitudinally and the Quattro 4x4 system is biased 40:60 in favour of the rear wheels. Body control is excellent and the quick steering means the Q5 turns in to corners with car-like accuracy and agility.

The 2.0-litre common rail diesel is smooth, punchy and refined too, and while most SUV owners will favour the optional automatic S tronic gearbox, the standard six-speed manual has a satisfying shift action. Add in excellent stability, strong brakes and a firm but well-damped ride and there’s little to fault about the Q5’s on road ability.

But despite Audi claiming that less than two per cent of owners head into the rough stuff it has hill descent control and an off-road setting for the traction control. And while it isn’t massively practical its combination of fine road manners, quality cabin and Audi style will surely make it a hit.