Sometimes a car can be defined by one or two features rather than the sum of its parts. Thus it is with the Audi Q5, whose interior is an instantly impressive one. As one Ford executive recently observed - no doubt backed by acres of expensive research - the first three minutes is all it takes for someone to decide whether they love a car or not. It seems that for many people looking at cars is a little like the motoring equivalent of Tinder.
That three minute time frame does not even allow for a test drive, so it's the exterior and then the interior experience that are key for car companies.
The Q5 is quite conservative on the outside.
In the case of the Q5 you could argue that the exterior experience is a rather conservative one. Audi does not do radical and Jaguar and Land Rover are far more adventurous with their design these days. The one area where Audi has pushed ahead though is with the interior and technology - there seems to be a plethora of displays and interfacing features but they work really well. Anything and everything is there in hi-tech and the virtual cockpit feature is something everyone should check out, even if they can't afford an Audi. Apart from Volvo, no one does interiors quite as well as Audi.
The seven-speed automatic gearbox has a tendency to be slow to pick up at lower speeds.
The automatic gearbox is one of the most advanced around and is a seven speed one that is very smooth, but it does have a tendency to be slow on initial pick-up after the stop start system has kicked in. Once up and running though it shows off its smart technology precision. Nevertheless that lag needs to be addressed - it does'nt happen with other luxury cars with the same technology.
The steering is also a little vague and suburban for my liking and it lacked the kind of precision you would expect from a car engineered the way this one is.
All Q5's have four wheel drive and automatic gearboxes and have a weighty presence on the road.
The handling was a bit squishier than I had expected also but I expect the influences and requirements of American buyers and suburban European ones explain how the steering and handling are guaged. The price of the Q 5 - kicking in at €54,000 - puts it more into the suburban or executive segment rather than any other and it won't be competing with a trusty Toyota Land Cruiser in the popularity stakes at the ploughing championships.
However, the overall driving experience is a really good one. I particularly liked the interior layout and the the hi-tech displays and dashboard are more likely to involve you than challenge you,
The boot size has been increased on the new model.
Seating is extremely comfortable and cruising on a long journey was a doddle. The revised Q5 is now lighter and more spacious than the car it replaces and the boot is now up to taking most of what you want to throw at it, especially with the seats folded forward.
Standard equipment is very comprehensive with lots of technology features in terms of safety and information. Cruise control, 18" alloy wheels, dynamic suspension, an excellent sat nav system, twin leather upholstery, automatic boot lid opening, heated front seats, emergency phone alert, a 7" display screen and various safety systems are all there.
However, there is no spare wheel and LED front headlights will cost you a whopping €1,731 extra.
Fuel consumption is around 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres from this 2.0 litre diesel as the added weight of four wheel drive - plus an automatic gearbox - do take a toll, but not an excessive one.
Annual road tax is €280 and the emissions are 132g/km.
While thinking about the Q5 experience, I thought of an unlikely competitor - the new Volkswagen Tiguan, which comes in at about €20,000 Euro less. It's one of the smartest SUV's around at the moment. OK, it might not have the badge appeal of an Audi or half the technology as standard but give it three minutes and you never know how you might decide to invest your money.
