Overview

AUDI’S full-size luxury SUV, the Q7, has attracted a solid following in Australia since it was launched here in 2006.

Now it has a smaller sibling to back it up, in the shape of the five-seater Q5.

Based on the A4 and aimed directly at BMW’s X3 and Volvo’s new XC60, the five-door Q5 wagon adds 200mm of ground clearance, hill descent control and an off-road stability control function to the A4 formula, then adds class-leading cargo space, aerodynamics and performance.

The latter comes from four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with prices ranging from about $60,000 for 2.0-litre variants to either side of $70,000 for the V6 range-toppers.

Throw in Audi’s legendary design and build quality – both inside and out – and it’s no wonder Audi Australia will sell as many Q5s as it can get in 2009.