Audi’s Q5 TDI: A hot rod for all seasons
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CASEY WILLIAMS | Auto Reviewer
crwauto@aol.com
We may hate to admit it, but hot roadsters are not ideal for all roads. Sure, they’re great for storming freeways or those special track days, but gravel, rough asphalt and downtown potholes are a no-go. Maybe instead, you need a performance car that can handle almost any road — maybe something like the Audi Q5 TDI diesel.
The key word for Audi is “understated.” Smooth bodies are shaped for the Autobahn, but designers make no effort to be flashy. Oh sure, there’s the big grille with Audi’s four-ring logo, projector beams with LED halos, and large foglamps. Sporty 19-in. alloy wheels with snow tires make a statement. I just pray to all things tacky that the “TDI Clean Diesel” graphics on the side are just for advertising.
Inside, more understated class. The cabin reminds me of the best from Mercedes’ and BMW’s past. Everything is well-made, laden with real woods, but focused on giving the driver what she needs. There are no reconfigurable instrument displays, just two large gauges. A thick leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated leather seats are delights.
Understated does not equate to under-equipped. Our test vehicle came with a panoramic roof, fold-flat rear seats with armrest pass-through, tri-zone automatic climate control, power hatch and Bluetooth phone/streaming audio. Safety is enhanced by a backing camera, bumper sensors, blind spot indicators and a full array of airbags.
Audi’s MMI infotainment system uses a console-mounted joywheel, surrounded by function buttons for audio, radio, navigation and vehicle information. A small volume/seek knob is placed close to the front passenger. I’m not usually a fan of random buttons for simple functions, but Audi’s system works well.
All great, but lift the hood to get a peek at the 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel that generates 240 horsepower — enough for a mid-size crossover, but it also produces a whopping 428 lb.-ft. of torque to leap off the line or thrust forward on the highway. Power hits pavement through an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s venerable Quattro AWD system. Fuel economy is rated 24/31-MPG city/hwy.
During a four-hour Interstate run, my partner and I had time to settle in. There’s no denying the joy of driving an Audi with the diesel engine. It accelerates so easily that I often looked down to realize I was running 10 mph faster than I thought. In the pure German tradition, the Q5 feels heavy, yet nimble. It is the kind of car you want to drive a very long distance just to spend time with it and your special person.
Not everyone likes stiffly-sprung German iron, but I do. On rough city streets, the suspension gets a work-out. Many people spending Q5 coin will prefer less understatement (witness the Cadillac SRX, BMW X3, or Mercedes-Benz GLK). Audis look a lot like Volkswagens: good and bad. While the diesel produces lots of power, there are less-expensive midsize crossover choices if fuel economy is your aim.
Most people think of diesels as frugal, but Audi makes a strong case for diesels being the go-to choice of driving enthusiasts and enviro-enthusiasts. They deliver power and efficiency in a package that is hard to out-pack.
If you’re willing to lay down $51,445 for the pleasure of strumming the Q5 TDI, there’s a lot to like. Best of all, you won’t have to tip-toe around those side-sliding gravel roads.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition March 14, 2014.
