2012 Audi Q5 Reviews

If not the newest prestige SUV of the year it's still the one to own. Even one immune to the prevailing and seemingly preternatural urge toward wagons with an elevated driving position “gets” Audi's Q5.I'd cross-shop it against almost any car at the pricepoint. The headliner of the four variant range has - like the lot of them - got the usual negligible visual update but its value and tech enhancements are wholly worthwhile.Wayne Swan's brainless luxury car tax means a luxury SUV will be priced cheaper than any comparable sedan or wagon. The Q5's pricepoints are further held in check by excellent fuel consumption - even the V6 turbo diesel discussed here runs well under the 7.0L/100km cut-off the Greens managed to tack on to this ill-conceived and arbitrary legislation.The entry 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic (Audis run ever leaner but their nomenclature still threatens to run off the page) starts at $62,200 (the turbo petrol four is $700 more). The whooshing supercharged petrol V6 is $74,100 and the headliner tested here starts at $75,500. Audi claims some $7000 extra value in its standard kit for no price increases - multimedia system linked navigation, reversing camera, electric passenger seat, memory functions in the seats and side mirrors, drive select and hill-hold assist.Our tester came in at $82,000 with the addition of metallic paint (an absurd $1850), painted lower body and chrome sill strips ($900), 19-inch five-arm star alloys ($1750), Bang & Olufsen sound ($1550) and the useful luggage rail system with load securing set ($450).The newest turbo petrol engines are all but eradicating the perceived advantage of diesels in cars but the economy and torque delivery of the latter remain of the essence in heavier SUVs. A favoured example, this 3.0-litre six-cylinder is fettled to shed weight and increase output, to the formidable 180kW/580Nm.The transmission is a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic, feeding torque-sensing all-wheel drive - that is, proper quattro as opposed to the Haldex set-up on the essentially Volkswagen Q3. At 6.5 seconds from 0-100km/h, the Q5 is sports sedan fast. At 6.4L/100km it's more frugal than most four-cylinder hatchbacks. Too many drive-select packages do too little. This one makes distinct and worthwhile changes to engine response and suspension settings.Doubtless some will spot the visual tweaks. The point is these are subtle enough so that owners of the first-issue model won't feel aggrieved or suffer at resale time. In line with the latest round of freshened-up Audis, the drive-select mode button is usefully located on the centre stack, a hand span from the gear lever. No need to dive into the multimedia menu to switch from comfort mode to sport. The auto tailgate is so handy and convenient that SUVs lacking it suddenly seem a bit third world.Five stars, all the kit, plus the active capability to ensure the passive devices will never be troubled. Human stupidity notwithstanding, of course.We requested a diesel for our drive before last week's launch and expected the worthy four-cylinder. That we had something rather more - having climbed in without scoping the badging - became apparent when the thing got off the mark like an engorged hot hatch and with an almost petrol engine growl. It's a gun donk all right, one that with 600km (and barely more than delivery km on the clock when we got in) returned a little over 7.0L/100km.This is the point at which Audi reviews tend to get peevish about the dynamics and steering feel not reaching the heights of the drivetrain. That's far less important in an SUV but the disparity also isn't as obvious. In sport mode, this Q5 is as tied down and dynamically adept as 1850kg of kerb weight (plus the heft of four big blokes and their gear) could reasonably be.The latest version of Audi's electronic steering is a big step in the right direction. There are shifting paddles attached to wheel but this transmission is smart enough to require minimal intervention. The turbo diesel/twin clutch hook-up is apparent only when stepping off the mark, though the combination of lag and the transmission's hesitancy to engage from go is more a characteristic than an outright fault.To ever more buyers, an Audi means an SUV. This is the best of them.

Technology bundles itself up within Audi's mid-life, five-engined model range that promises more economy, more luxury for only a little bit more money.The most popular single Audi model on sale in Australia, the Q5 continues to win tight fights with rivals and now takes technology into battle. Now revised for, perhaps, another five years, it goes on sale in Australia in December priced from about $65,000.High on the list of changes is the introduction of clever safety and infotainment systems that sit beneath Audi's smart Connect system. Prices are likely to remain about the same as before but Audi Australia spokesperson Anna Burgdorf says it's likely that local customers will get more features for the price.For example, options such as a rear camera and the adjustable drivetrain system, Drive Select, could be bundled into the price of the V6 models, while the four-cylinder models could get extra features such as bigger alloy wheels, keyless entry and dtart and Drive Select.Ms Burgdorf says pricing is still being worked on. The model that will get a lot of interest is the 3-litre V6 supercharged petrol TFSI - a new engine from Audi that replaces the 3.2-litre V6 petrol.VALUE Given Audi Australia's stance on remaining highly competitive, the updated Q5 range looks good. A final opinion will come when the car is launched but for now, the model sits well with market demands for a prestigious SUV with very high build quality and a remarkable drivetrain mix.The new supercharged V6 petrol will cost about $75,000 - based on the price of the outgoing 3.2 - which is at the top of the food chain aside from the new SQ5 sports SUV. It gets extras over the outgoing model including an eight-speed automatic and better fuel consumption while being faster. Rivals are keen not to let this one get too far ahead but on drivetrain technology alone, this SUV has an edge. DESIGN Changes for the new series are minimal. Overall, the Q5 has xenon headlights and LEDs listed as options though the supercharged engine may - indeed should - have these as standard. Cabin trim is typical Audi and the quality has not been compromised even though prices have barely altered. There are subtle body tweaks but you have to look hard. For example, the dual tail pipes have flattened bottoms.TECHNOLOGY There are changes to the existing engines plus the new electric-mechanical steering system that is designed to save engine load (and therefore improve fuel economy) while making it easy to integrate into the Drive Select system.The supercharged engine boasts 200kW/400Nm (up 5kW/70Nm on the 3.2) yet slashes one second in the 100km/h sprint to 5.9 seconds and reduces fuel use to an average of 8.5 L/100km. There is also an eight-speed automatic gearbox with shift paddles.All engines in the Q5 range are boosted - either turbocharged or supercharged - starting with the 2-litre pair of the TFSI and TDI. Audi sells a hybrid Q5 in Europe, China and the US but it's a no show for Australia. Just as well for its fuel use is similar to the 2.0 TFSI.There are other interesting bits such as the Connect infotainment system that picks up on Google Earth and has internet access for rear-seat passengers. Audi's optional MMI navigation now has just four fixed keys for the navigation, telephone, radio and media functions. Also, only one button is needed to operate the Drive Select system.SAFETY The Q5 range carries over the five-star crash rating of the previous model. It also has a similar airbag count and electronic aids. Australia gets a space-saver spare.DRIVING The supercharger's performance is impressive in terms of its acceleration and on-tap power, but it misses the aural theatre of other engines with a booster. For one, I miss the subtle whine as the supercharger winds up. But maybe modern families want peace and quiet - a feat the V6 does well even at 200km/h plus speeds on the German autobahn.But though very strong from idle and with immense muscle in the mid-range of the tachometer dial, its deliver is almost equal to the remarkable performance of the 2.0 TFSI version also driven on this launch. This is a much modified small-bore turbo-petrol that is worth a long hard look. Okay, back to the supercharged V6 that adds solidity on the autobahn with accuracy through the bends.Enthusiasts must opt for Drive Select (if it's an option) to tailor their driving demands. The SUV remains roomy, comfortable and flexible but the choice of engine is critical for the owner to get the best from the car. In this regard the V6 is really, really nice but unless you are towing, the 2-litre TSFI is probably better (and certainly cheaper) while the diesels cover all ground.Audi Q5 V6 TFSIPrice: est. $75,000Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km, roadside assistResale: n/aService interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: 5-starSpare: Space-saverEngine: 3-litre V6 supercharged petrol 200kW/400NmTransmission: 8-spd Tiptronic auto, AWDBody: 4.6m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.6m (h)Weight: 1845kgThirst: 8.51/100km; 98RON; 199g/km Co2

There's something just right about the Audi Q5. It's not too big, so parking the mid-sized SUV isn't like docking a ship and a quick look at the rear seats and cavernous cargo area shows it isn't too small to cope with a fully loaded weekend away.No surprises then when a check of the latest sales figures shows the four-ringed vehicle to be Australia's top-selling prestige soft-roader.VALUEThe Q5 range starts at $62,200 for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel and runs to $75,500 for the V6 3.0 TDI Carsguide tested. Ticking the boxes to bring the base model to the same spec as the 3.0 will cost $6663 (18-inch alloys $2065, keyless entry $1338, three-zone airconditioning $1260, steering wheel with paddle shifts $585, electric driver's seat $1415).Buyers are effectively paying about $6600 for the engine's extra two cylinders - and it's worth every cent. Performance ramps up from sedate to sensational and the trade-off is only half a litre of diesel every 100km.TECHNOLOGYOutrageous tech isn't Audi's style - it's the sum of the quality parts that make the marque so popular. The seven-speed twin clutch automated manual transmission is as smooth as a sales spiel and there's a hill-descent function for those who do head off-road.Given that many won't, it'd be nice to see the more practical hill-hold feature standard instead of a $110 option. The famous quattro all-wheel drive system is as unobtrusive as ever and comes with a self-locking centre diff to help regulate torque on those slippery tiled driveways the Q5 is most likely to encounter.DESIGNAudi has hit the sweet spot with the Q5. It has more road presence than an X3, is more luxurious than a Land Rover Freelander and looks classier than the Volvo XC60. As far as family DNA goes, the Q7 might have more space and features but it's not the head-turner the Q5 is.Inside the elevated ride is the only concession that this is an SUV. The controls take a few minutes to get used to - you use the same dial to control the aircon's temperature and fan speed - but you don't need an electronics degree to work them out. It's posh and practical - and that's a tough act to get right.SAFETYGerman engineering, high-tensile metals and the latest electronic aids make this a five-star car, according to Euro NCAP. Volvo's XC60 is the safest car in the class with the Audi second and Kia's much-lauded Sportage third.Just as important for potential buyers is the fact it feels solid - the doors shut with a reassuring (but muted - we don't want to disturb the ambience) thud, there's no give in the dash plastics and body roll is minimal.DRIVINGThis diesel-snorting V6 shows why no one out-engineers the Germans. It is a monster everywhere except the bowser, with official fuel use of 7.5 litres/100km despite the car weighing 1865kg... In the real world that pushes up into the mid-eights - or higher if you insist on using the transmission in sports mode. The novelty will wear off after a couple of days when owners realize "D" does the job just as well 99 per cent of the time. After all, we're talking about a vehicle that hits 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds.The steering is very light around town but beefs up on the highway and the handling is good over speed humps or on gravel roads, when the ESP can be switched to off-road mode.VERDICTIf style and load are important the Audi holds a narrow edge in this segment. The BMW X3 has the better engine and is a more composed drive but few owners will push either car anywhere close to their limits. So for most it will come down to road presence . and the Q5 is a better-proportioned bus.Audi Q5 3.0 TDIPrice: $75,500Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmResale: 82 per cent (Glass's GuideService intervals: Driving dependant, up to two yearsSafety: Five starsEngine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 176kW/500NmBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: 5629mm (L), 1880mm (W), 1653mm (H), 2807mm (WB), 1617mm/1713mm tracks front/rearWeight: 1865kgTransmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual, AWDThirst: 7.5 litres/100km, 199g/km CO2