Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI 2016 review: Top 5 reasons to buy video

In Audi showrooms, it's pretty easy to find price tags with frighteningly large numbers on them.

Luckily, in the case of the Audi Q5 SUV, one of the best in the range is actually one of the cheapest: the two-litre petrol TFSI.

It's up to $10,000 cheaper than the models with big six-cylinder engines and only a few hundred dollars more than the cheapest diesel.

If the price isn't enough to sway you, here are the top 5 reasons to buy it.

#1 Front cabin space

The Q5 really kicks off well here, with huge amounts of headroom in the front.

Even with the optional sunroof, anyone who's less than two metres tall will have no problem finding a comfortable seating position.

There's also heaps of front legroom, thanks to front seats that far enough back to technically qualify as rear seats.

#2 Ergonomics

There are lots of buttons to master in the Q5, but it's easy to figure them out without having to consult the owner's manual.

The driving position is pretty much perfect, too – the steering wheel reach is really adjustable, which means you don't need to summon up Go-Go Gadget Arms to drive it.

#3 Comfort

The Q5 soaks up all but the sharpest bumps, and Audi's attention to soundproofing means you're in for a quiet and comfortable trip.

Audi's crackdown on NVH sets it apart from more mainstream models; even though cheaper SUVs from Toyota and Hyundai now feature similar technology to Audi, the Q5 distinguishes itself here.

The steering is incredibly light, which may not suit everyone's tastes, but it does make for effortless cruising.

#4 Design

Even though the Q5's design has hardly changed in seven years, it's still attractive, in a reserved kind of way.  

Behind the automatic tailgate, there's enough space for a dance recital, even before you fold the rear seats. These can slide back and forth, tilt up or fold forwards completely, depending on how big of a recital you're planning to have.

#5 Performance

The Q5 is a quiet, comfortable cruiser. But, when pushed, the two litre petrol can spring into life and deliver some pretty lively performance.

The engine really is a gem; used in everything from the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Audi TT to the A4 and Q5, it's a refined and powerful unit.

In the Q5, it can drum up 169kW if you really push it, but that won't get you anywhere near its official 7.9L/100km combined economy.

It's better to use the 2.0-litre's mid-range torque, which, thanks to a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, is easy to tap into.

Drawbacks

Now, even though the Q5 is a mid-sized SUV, it carries full-sized weight of more than 1800 kilos, which can put a big dent in your real-world fuel economy.

The existing A4 wagon, which costs the same as the Q5 and comes with the same engine and all-wheel drive system, is more than 200 kilos lighter than the Q5. And, even though the A4's engine is less powerful and uses less fuel, it still accelerates faster than the Q5.

Even though the Q5 is a high-riding SUV, taller passengers will find the back seat a bit tight. Legroom is good, but there's not enough headroom, particularly with the optional sunroof fitted.

Luckily, the sunroof does give them a place to put their head and make a quick call to the chiropractor.

But the biggest drawback is that a lot of the Q5's features are optional, and can easily add thousands to the price.

You'll find anything Q5-related at our Q5 hub

Related: check out our buying guide for luxury SUVs

Plus: find all our SUVs under $70k

Click here to see more 2016 Audi Q5 pricing and spec info.