High on 5

What we like:

The most potent variant in the Q5 line-up

responsive and quick

nice-sounding when stretched.

What we dislike:

Engine sounds rough higher up the rev range.

And the Q5 does handle – extremely well considering the laws of physics at work here.

The whole thing weighs in just 40 kgs above 1.8-tonnes, don’t forget, including all that engine above the front two wheels. Just driving it through quick and, indeed, not so quick bends is something of a revelation.

The Q5 can be driven in four different manners: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual; the last being self-explanatory. And they do what they say on their plastic buttons. In Sport mode, the milk in the grocery bag won’t be turned to butter, but there’s just an extra tautness, even more body control. On an interesting winding road, the Q5 handles tidier than an X3 – it will hold its line better and for longer. It’s impressive, even if the information from the steering never gets close to being Porsche-like.

If by any slim chance you want it to get mucky and do what only 4x4s can do, here are two facts to chew on. At 1,655 mm tall, it is quite superior in terms of ground clearance. It also relies on the clever Hill Descent Control in case things get all steep. Of course, it would perform better with appropriate tyres…

And so here it is ladies and lads - the ultimate Q5, if you may. If you think the Q3 is a little too small and the Q7 way too big, the Q5 3.0 TFSI is a brilliant proposition.

Why settle only for a 2.0-litre when the 3.0-litre gives you more speed and satisfaction? After all, the price difference is merely $24k apart - a small price to pay for more smiles per hour, I say…

Credits: Story and photos by Azfar Hashim