First drive review: Audi Q5 facelift

[EXTRACT]#EANF# What‘s it? Now four years of age, the Audi Q5 faces increased competition to the soft-road-chic title, most notably coming from the Range Rover Evoque. A refresh aims to stay it in contention. The telltale exterior difference could be that the quadrilateral grille has grown to be hexagonal. Bumper changes are less noticeable, as are rear diffuser and tailpipe revisions. Interior switchgear updates are best labelled ‘incremental’. Poverty spec is abolished, demoting ‘SE’ towards the bottom rung, meaning all new Q5s have leather and rear parking sensors. ‘S line Plus’ is that the new range-topper, boasting navigation and power tailgate. What‘s it like? All engines now employ direct injection, forced induction and stop-start. There will be turbocharged petrol and diesel 2. 0-litre four-pots, while 3. 0-litre V6s comprise a supercharged petrol engine making 268bhp. The turbocharged oil-burner we drove is simply 5bhp but 59lb ft punchier than before, yet 17 per cent more economical. That additional twist palpably benefits in-gear acceleration with little lag, accompanied using a bassy, technical soundtrack that settles when cruising. Idle brings a reassuring hum ; fast-acting start-stop is heard but hardly felt. The dual-clutch ’box kicks down quickly and decisively, and paddle override is light-switch instant. Solid-disc brakes disappoint for bite, though, and prompt meandering under duress. New electromechanical steering is accurate but feel-free. ‘Comfort’ setting is our pick : suitably light for manoeuvres yet firm enough pushing on. ‘Dynamic’ is stiff and wooden ; ‘Auto’ mode’s variation could be unsettling. Slightly softer springs paired with firmer dampers somewhat relieve the Q5’s niggling urban ride, even with optional 20-inch alloys. It’s at the price of increased body roll but, overall, this small shift suits the model’s remit. Should I buy one? The dynamically similar, £40k cooking diesel Evoque is slower, smaller, and slightly dirtier, but aesthetic preference will probably be more decisive. Audi Q5 3. 0 TDI quattro S linePrice £40, 035 ;  0-62mph 6. 5sec ;  Top speed 140mph ;  Economy 44. 1mpg ;  CO2 169g / km ;  Kerb weight 1860kg ;  Engine V6, 2967cc, turbodiesel ;  Power 242bhp at 4000-4500rpm ;  Torque 428lb ft at 1750-2750rpm ;  Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch auto EXTRACT#EANF# First drive review : Audi Q5 facelift