Audi Q5: one of a select breed

An uprated 245PS powerplant allows for a 6.5s 0-60mph sprint, so it has the power to embarrass some serious performance cars and it handles neatly too. The ride may be on the firm side for some family buyers though, and this range-topping model doesn’t come cheap.

The Q5 3.0 TDI immediately feels like it’s got a lot of engine. The V6 powerplant now has 245PS at its disposal and that’s some serious clout in a vehicle of the Q5’s size but the crucial figure is the 427 lb ft of torque that the engine generates from 1,500rpm up to 3,000rpm.

When overtaking or accelerating up to motorway speed this torque makes the Q5 seem brutally quick and a 0-60mph sprint time of 6.5s bears this out.

This Audi 4x4 is quicker in a straight line than a Golf GTI and as quick as a BMW 330i Coupe. Happily, the Q5 can handle all this power and feels composed and controllable even when you let it off the leash. The ride is on the firm side but there’s a mountain of grip and very little of the swaying and lurching that some 4x4s indulge in when they’re pitched into a corner.

The task of marshalling the power and torque from this advanced diesel engine falls to the S-Tronic seven-speed dual clutch gearbox that’s standard on the 3.0 TDI Q5.

This transmission is teetering on the cutting edge of gearbox technology with its twin clutch system and clever electronics predicting and engaging the next gear prior to the driver selecting it with the wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

It makes for a lightening fast and buttery-smooth transition between ratios, whether you’re flipping the paddles in manual mode or letting the gearbox take care of the whole process.

As before, a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is standard and features a clever torque vectoring system for added handling sophistication. Changes to the spring, shock absorber and anti-roll bar settings improve ride and handling, while an electromechanical power steering system helps efficiency.

The 3.0-litre TDI engine sits atop the Q5 range and isn’t what you would call cheap, with pricing in the £38,000 to £43,000 bracket. It’s available in SE, S line or S line Plus trim with the S-line model underlining the car’s sporty flavour. SE models have an advanced 10-speaker stereo, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and parking sensors. S-Line models have all that plus sports suspension, sports seats, Xenon headlights with LED running lights and a host of other exterior styling upgrades.

Most compact 4x4s are driven on the tarmac so it makes sense to buy one that’s designed for the job.

Audi’s improved Q5 doesn’t pretend to have much by way of off-road ability but on the road, it feels perfectly at home, particularly with the uprated 3.0-litre TDI engine doing the leg work. Fearsome pulling power and neat handling make this Q5 a family car that can really entertain.

The price and the firm ride are the major drawbacks to a Q5 3.0 TDI. It certainly won’t be the model for everyone as the lesser engines in the range fulfil the family car role just as well for a lot less.

Running costs are reasonable for a car that can power from standstill to 60mph in six and a half seconds and if you want a compact 4x4 that can put a smile on your face, this is one of a very select breed.