Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, road test (exterior design, interior and boot)

We continue with the analysis of the Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, which is currently the star of the road test section at Highmotor.

In the first part we told you everything about the dynamics of this great Audi, and today we focus on its exterior and interior design.

Exterior design

The Audi Q5 has very familiar lines, which quickly identify it as a member of the four-ring brand. The silhouette is completely Audi, with sober yet elegant lines that appeal to the vast majority.

The front features an eye-catching element: a large hexagonal grille with a formed finish that gives the front end a great deal of sturdiness. The headlights also fulfil their aesthetic role, especially when fitted with LED technology like our test unit.

The front bumper, especially when equipped with the off-road pack, presents a very attractive and rugged look that invites you to take the Q5 off the beaten track to enjoy its qualities. The side view is not especially striking, although it must be admitted that with the huge 20-inch wheels and black plastic wheel arches, the image is more appealing than usual.

The Q5 dares to venture into the countryside

The rear is typically Audi, with LED light clusters that give it a very interesting high-tech look. The rear window, which does not open independently of the tailgate, is somewhat smaller than we would like, something offset by the large size of the rear-view mirrors.

The details typical of a premium brand can be found in the metal inserts, the twin exhaust outlets and the LED number plate lights, something that is becoming increasingly common on new-generation vehicles.

Interior design

A Audi cabin is always expected to have an above-average level of finish. In the case of the Q5, this principle is met, and remarkably so. The Q5’s interior is a very comfortable place in which to spend hours on end.

The dashboard still carries the classic lines of the four-ring brand’s models, since the Q5, on sale since 2009, shares many elements with the current A4 and A5, also long-serving models within the Audi family.

The design, while not a beauty prodigy, is entirely functional and pleasing to the eye, although it is true that it is beginning to show the passage of time, as its basic lines date from 2009, more than five years ago. The materials used deserve no complaint apart from some hard plastic in isolated spots, which lets down the interior of a car costing over 80,000€.

A lot of quality with a design typical of a Audi

Interior space is quite good in both the front and rear rows, and the seats, by the way, are genuinely comfortable and allow long journeys without any strain on the back. Four occupants will travel with sufficient space, also with dedicated air vents, while the middle passenger in the rear row will be a little more cramped, mainly due to the bulky transmission tunnel needed for the all-wheel-drive system.

Boot

The boot has a base capacity of 540 litres, which places it around the segment average. By folding down the rear seats, an operation carried out effortlessly in a few seconds thanks to handles in the boot that automatically drop the backrests, the load capacity rises to an excellent 1,560 litres.

In the load area there is a small compartment on one side that keeps small items from moving constantly around the boot. In addition, there is a 12 V power socket, very useful for plugging in a charger or a portable fridge, for example.

A different point of view

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverAudi Q528 versions · from 63,000 €