2014 Audi Q5 TDI

Specifications

1. The 3.0-liter diesel motor makes 240-hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0-60 sprint of 6.7 seconds. 2. All Q5 models get an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. 3. Official fuel consumption estimates suggest 24 MPG city, 31 MPG highway and 27 MPG combined, even better than the Q5 Hybrid. 4. Audi Q5 TDI Models start at $46,500, but our tester rang in at $56,795.

Preview

Audi went a different route by saddling the Q5 with a big 3.0-liter six-cylinder that delivers 240 hp 428 lb-ft of torque. The powerful six-cylinder is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s familiar quattro all-wheel drive system. Despite having a heavy engine and all-wheel drive equipment, it returned an impressive 27 mpg during AutoGuide’s weeklong test. That makes it more efficient than any other powertrain available for the Q5 - even the hybrid. Official government ratings suggest the car should get 24 mpg in the city, 31 on the highway and an average 27.

That adds up to make the TDI an intriguing in-between option for anyone who wants a powerful feeling of acceleration like the (also new) SQ5 can offer with efficiency to rival its hybrid sibling.

Interior

While fiddling with the Q5’s drive modes and finding your perfect niche is an excellent touch, you won’t find the same accommodation when it comes to the interior. The best way to describe the cabin is functional. High-quality materials like Nappa leather and aluminum fill Q5’s interior. It doesn’t break any new ground, but it certainly isn’t bad. The $500 “sport interior” package brings well-bolstered front seats with four-way lumbar adjustment and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Rear seat accommodations are sufficient for two adults or three children. The rear seats lose less than half an inch of headroom compared to the front buckets. Trunk space is also among the highlights with just over 29 cubic feet or over 57 with the second seats folded. It’s also easy to set them down thanks to two separate buttons: one in the trunk and one below the rear passenger seat. The biggest highlight of the interior is the Q5’s giant panoramic sunroof, which provides an airy feeling to the otherwise clinical cabin.

Under The Hood

Yes, it’s down on horsepower compared to the SQ5’s force-fed gasoline V6, but it makes an extra 81 lb-ft of torque. More importantly, it’s enjoyable to drive and the torque is almost always available because of the eight-speed automatic. Turbo lag is noticeable, but once you get past that, it delivers as much twist as a V8 pickup truck and you can really feel it. The one downside to the diesel motor is the harsh rumble at idle. Fortunately, the engine start-stop turns off the engine at stops. Sometimes these systems are frustratingly intrusive, but it’s especially effective at preserving the luxury experience here.

The forementioned eight-speed transmission is equally commendable in the Q5. It’s responsive and smooth in automatic mode, changing gears with little hesitation. It doesn’t feel like other gear heavy, eco-minded transmissions that jump to the highest gear possible. Instead, the Q5 adjusts seamlessly, accompanying your every push of the throttle with a downshift and more acceleration. This way, the Q5 is usually in boost and always feels powerful and it will be a rare occasion when you don’t feel confident with the crossovers passing capability.

It’s easy to say that the diesel engine doesn’t damage the Q5’s sporty resume. It feels dynamic and is offered with all the bells and whistles.The Q5 is commendable in Comfort mode but really feels at home in Dynamic mode, where its steering is sharper and the transmission stays in lower gears longer.