Audi Q5: still one of the top SUVs

Audi has enjoyed the Q5 as it’s been the best-selling vehicle in its class for several years of the decade or so it’s been around. The latest version aims to capitalise on that sales success, but is the Mexican-built new model capable of taking the mid-sized SUV yet further?

The new model leads with that big, assertive, rather masculine grille. It’s a note of intent. The whole car looks stylish and the detailing shows some interesting creases and overlapping panels, with the sort of attention to detail you’d hope.

The Q5 can come with quite a few suspension variations, everything from steel coil springs to variable-height air suspension, although our S line test vehicle was on passively damped but lowered suspension, something which is an option but it’s a free one.

At launch you have a 2.0-litre engine and that’s it, although to be fair this is available as a 187bhp diesel or a 249bhp petrol, both turbocharged. We went for the diesel and found it quiet and smooth and fairly self-effacing. It works well with the seven-speed auto box, although you might notice that the first five gears are reasonably low while the top gear is really quite high – presumably for economic cruising – but the transmission is so slick it’s hard to spot any gaps.

Performance is helped by the lowish weight of 1770kg. While that weight may be relatively high up, the Audi engineers have done an excellent job of controlling it. Hurtle it around fast bends and you’ll be dealing with no more roll or excitement than you would in a lot of cars nearer the ground and with more sporty pretentions.

And yet the ride isn’t as firm as you might fear either. It’s not exactly soft but most occupants will find it perfectly comfortable. The only downside is for the driver, since the whole effect lacks engagement, hindered further by some really uninvolving steering that seems oddly weighted at odd moments.

There’s nothing odd about the cabin. Actually, do we need to write this next bit? You know how it goes. The cabin is almost faultless, built to an apparent standard above the price point for this type of vehicle, with a class all of its own. The Virtual Cockpit – a paid-for option – works remarkably clearly and smoothly, and fit and finish are right up there with the very best. But you knew all that. And there’s no ‘but’ to follow that either.