In 2023, most individuals who need final gas effectivity gravitate in direction of hybrids. Audi has a unique resolution.

The 2023 Audi Q5 35 TDI performs two roles for Audi – it’s the most cost effective member of the Q5 vary in Australia, undercutting the 40 TDI quattro sitting above it by greater than $7000, and it’s additionally essentially the most environment friendly.

Moderately than leaning on a battery and electrical motor to attain its spectacular gas use determine, the Q5 35 TDI depends on a small diesel engine with some intelligent tuning and mild-hybrid tech to get there. It additionally does its greatest work on the freeway, moderately than within the metropolis like a battery-backed hybrid.

It goes in opposition to the grain in 2023 – and it gained’t be for everybody.

How a lot does the Audi Q5 35 TDI value?

That is the most cost effective ticket to Audi Q5 possession, with a beginning worth of $67,900 earlier than on-road prices.

That’s $7600 lower than the subsequent mannequin within the line-up, and comfortably undercuts a base BMW X3 (from $84,700) or the Mercedes-Benz GLC (from $104,900).

In fact, that isn’t to say the Q5 is a like-for-like rival to the X3 xDrive20d – for starters it’s front-wheel drive, and doesn’t pack the identical listing of luxuries because the BMW.

Nevertheless it’s additionally a equally sized SUV with an equally premium badge on the nostril, in order that they’ll little question be cross-shopped.

Audi Q5 pricing

• Audi Q5 35 TDI: $67,900
• Audi Q5 40 TDI quattro: $75,500
• Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro: $75,800
• Audi Q5 40 TDI quattro Sport: $81,500
• Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro Sport: $82,800
• Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line: $102,900
• Audi SQ5 TDI quattro: $112,200

All costs exclude on-road values

What’s the Audi Q5 35 TDI like on the within?

This can be a base mannequin, and within the context of the luxurious Q5 vary it feels prefer it.

Though the basics are the identical, the leather-based on the seats is cheaper pretend cover, and there’s much less fancy silver trim round to liven issues up. It doesn’t really feel low cost, but it surely’s undoubtedly clear the place the cash has been saved.

You’ll additionally discover our tester had a set of analogue gauges, moderately than the flashy digital dashboard supplied elsewhere within the vary. The up to date MY23 mannequin now on sale does function a 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit, nonetheless.

Should you can look previous the cheaper supplies, the basics are good. The ability-adjusted entrance seats are comfy and supportive, and supply a tall driving place with out feeling such as you’re perched on telephone books – and heating is an aesthetic addition to the spec sheet.

The slim steering wheel is trimmed in high quality leather-based, and the buttons across the cabin – yep, you continue to get them on this Audi – make the identical satisfying click on they do elsewhere within the vary.

Though it’s outdated, the Q5 has a a lot simpler inside to navigate than loads of newer automobiles within the Volkswagen Group as a result of the whole lot is true the place it needs to be.

The ten.5-inch touchscreen sitting atop the dashboard is easy to make use of on the transfer, with crisp graphics and lightning responses. The way in which the display makes a button-like haptic ‘click on’ mightn’t sound like an enormous deal, but it surely means you don’t have to take your eyes off the street to substantiate inputs.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay connects reliably, but it surely did drop out greater than we’ve skilled in newer methods from BMW and Volkswagen. It doesn’t like toll cubicles, and doesn’t do an excellent job reconnecting after they’ve impacted its connection.

The shortage of a wi-fi telephone charger on this tester can also be noticeable should you’re utilizing wi-fi CarPlay. Nevertheless, the 35 TDI aligns with the bottom specification within the MY23 vary and contains a Qi charger as normal.

Storage areas abound, from the spacious bin beneath the central armrest to the massive door pockets. The open pockets close to the gear selector are awkwardly sized although, and don’t essentially swimsuit a contemporary telephone or a chunky pockets.

Rear seat house is appropriate with out being standout. Headroom is sweet for adults with out fairly being BMW X3 spacious, and legroom is okay for average-sized adults behind average-sized adults.

With air vents, a standalone local weather management zone, and two USB ports again there, there’s nothing for the children to complain about.

The brand new Q5 has as much as 520L of cargo capability in five-seat configuration, increasing to 1520L with the rear backrests folded flat.

All variations include an area saver spare.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Energy within the Q5 35 TDI comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel making 120kW of energy between 3250 and 4200rpm, and 370Nm between 1500 and 3000rpm.

It’s mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and is front-wheel drive. There’s no all-wheel drive possibility within the 35 TDI.

The powertrain additionally contains a 12V mild-hybrid system – 12V is butter hen delicate – designed to ship smoother auto begin/cease. Zero to 100km/h takes a claimed 9.0 seconds, and flat out you’ll be doing 213km/h.

Claimed gas financial system is 4.8 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle, however with a skew to metropolis driving we noticed 7.0L/100km.

That’s not unhealthy for a mid-sized SUV, and is beneath what we’ve seen from a “regular” Q5 in the identical circumstances – but it surely’s properly off the official declare.

How does the Audi Q5 35 TDI drive?

Put your ego apart and the 35 TDI is a superbly nice factor to drive.

It’s very clearly tuned for effectivity, with a really energetic begin/cease system and a transmission that upshifts at each alternative so the diesel engine sips, not swigs.

There’s a touch of diesel clatter on a chilly begin, but it surely settles down properly on the transfer. Even when the engine is chilly it’s uncommon you’ll hear the it idle as a result of the beginning/cease system is so energetic, turning the automotive off at 10km/h as you coast into site visitors lights to enhance financial system.

The twin-clutch transmission is easy and sensible, and in Regular mode will kick down while you demand extra efficiency. It’s nearly obstinate in its refusal to kick down in Eco, which is greatest left alone until you’re decided to eke each final mile out of a tank.

Put your foot down and it lacks the punch of the 40 TDI, not to mention the muscly SQ5, however there’s nonetheless sufficient shove within the mid-range to make this really feel like a premium automotive as a substitute of an anaemic hypermiler. Torque steer isn’t a problem right here.

Then once more, our real-world financial system figures show it isn’t – though it’s extra environment friendly than the broader vary, it’s nonetheless not fairly ‘hybrid’-good on the town.

With smaller wheels and chubbier tyres than flashier fashions, the Q5 35 TDI rides properly. It’s not fairly a feather mattress, but it surely retains sharper bumps and potholes out of the cabin higher than you’d anticipate. Highway noise is healthier suppressed than in costlier fashions as properly, because of the skinnier and decrease rolling resistance rubber fitted to this mannequin.

With mild steering, good all-round visibility, and first rate cameras – though they’re not standout – that is a straightforward automotive to pilot within the metropolis.

However there are some odd omissions that undermine its credentials as a long-haul cruiser, on condition that’s the place environment friendly diesel engines do their greatest work.

Lane-keep help is available to nudge you again into your lane, however the truth it’s important to pay extra for adaptive cruise management as a part of a package deal is difficult to defend.

Sure, it’s a base mannequin, but it surely’s nonetheless a $65k automotive with an Audi badge on its nostril – and when even entry-level Korean steel packs the know-how normal, it’s arduous to defend the choice to make it an possibility.

What do you get?

Q5 highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• 235/55 tyres
• LED headlights
• Keyless entry and begin
• Energy tailgate incl. gesture operation
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Tri-zone local weather management
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Aluminium door sill inlays
• Ground mats entrance, rear
• Ambient lighting
• 12.3-inch digital cockpit plus digital instrument cluster
• 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system
  • Satellite tv for pc navigation
  • Voice management
  • DAB+ radio
  • Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• 8-speaker sound system, 100W output
• Wi-fi telephone charging
• Audi join plus Navigation & Infotainment*
  • On-line site visitors info
  • Vacation spot entry by way of myAudi, Google Maps
  • Parking info
  • Climate
  • Gas costs
  • Google Companies
• Audi join plus Safety & Help*
  • Automotive finder incl. distant sign
  • Distant lock, unlock
  • Emergency name
  • On-line roadside help
• Electrical entrance seats incl. 4-way lumbar
• Leather-based-appointed upholstery

*Audi join plus service subscription legitimate for as much as three years after supply

Help Package deal ($1769) provides:

• Adaptive cruise management incl. cease/go
• Distance indicator
• Pace limiter
• Visitors Jam Help
• Park help
• 360-degree cameras

Is the Audi Q5 35 TDI protected?

The Audi Q5 and SQ5 vary is roofed by a five-star ANCAP security score, primarily based on Euro NCAP assessments performed in 2017 – although TFSI e plug-in hybrid fashions are at the moment unrated.

It scored 93 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 86 per cent for baby occupant safety, 73 per cent for pedestrian safety, and 58 per cent for security help. Observe this scored are for older check standards.

Commonplace security options embrace:

• 8 airbags
  • Twin entrance
  • Twin front-side
  • Twin curtain
  • Twin rear-side
• Energetic bonnet
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • as much as 85km/h
  • Pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot monitoring (aspect help)
• Collision avoidance help
• Exit warning
• Automated high-beam
• Hill descent management
• Lane-keep help
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Tyre strain monitoring

How a lot does the Audi Q5 35 TDI value to run?

The Audi vary is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia.

Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Audi provides five-year Real Care Plans that cowl as much as 75,000km.

For the common Q5 TDI and TFSI vary, the service plan prices $3140. 

CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi Q5 35 TDI

Should you can look previous the attract of quattro all-wheel drive, the Q5 35 TDI presents an attention-grabbing different to the hybrids (or mild-hybrids) being supplied in cheaper mid-sized SUVs.

It truly is miserly in the actual world, particularly should you level its nostril on the freeway, and the modifications Audi has made to the usual specification to facilitate its effectivity pay dividends in different methods.

Small wheels make for a cushty experience, and people eco tyres are quiet on the form of roads that’d make the sticky rubber on an SQ5 sound like tv static within the cabin.

That’s to not say it’s good. It’d be good to have the ability to benefit from the nicer inside finishes from higher-end fashions together with the environment friendly 35 TDI engine, and the shortage of punch relative to costlier choices is noticeable.

However this isn’t a base mannequin you need to stroll previous with out stopping for a glance. Test it out and your hip pocket may suppose you.

Click on the photographs for the complete gallery

MORE: Every part Audi Q5