Audi Q5 3.2 FSI Quattro Review: The bigger, the better?

What we like:

Its offroad styling package gives it a more butch look

interior remains solidly Audi

refined and melodious V6 lump is its strongest selling point.

What we dislike:

The extra weight leads to less on-road agility

ride seems busy

2.0-litre TFSI has better torque figure

no S-tronic.

With an almost $30k premium over the base 2.0 TFSI model, the V6 certainly sounds like good value - you get a bigger and more powerful engine with two additional cylinders, a Bang & Olufsen high end sound system, a full multi-media system with SD card readers, internal hard disk, iPod connectivity and sat nav, bigger alloy wheels and the S line styling kit (we'd opt for the off-road kit instead, anytime) on top of the standard package.

But the 2.0 TFSI somehow feels like a more complete car, thanks largely to its punchy and willing gearbox and engine packaging - it feels more alive compared to the V6. On top of that, the former is cheaper come road tax and insurance renewal.

So unless you have a penchant for more cylinders, the Q5 of choice should be the base one - but opt for that off-road package!

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai, pictures by Azfar Hashim