• Not the biggest, but matches rivals
• Electric tailgate adds convenience
• Would you risk ruining the lovely interior?

How much space is there?

Despite the premium finish and price of the Audi Q5, buyers of a family-sized SUV still expect a sensible degree of practicality. Sensible is what they get, too, because the Q5 doesn’t set new standards for spaciousness.

It’s slightly smaller than its rivals inside, and that’s reflected in the amount of interior room, but we think there’s still a comfortable level of space for four passengers. A fifth occupant will be fine, but they’ll have to contend with a narrower, firmer centre rear seat and the large central transmission tunnel that limits legroom.

Boot space and storage

Rear seats up, the Q5’s 550-litre boot is on par with those in the BMW X3 but with them folded over it offers a 1,550-litre capacity. Land Rover’s Discovery Sport rules the roost here, with up to 1,698 litres. Bear in mind plug-in hybrid Q5s get only 465 litres due to the batteries under the floor. If you need to move more, the Q5’s towing capacity of 1,750kg to 2,400kg braked, 750kg unbraked – depending on specification – is reasonably generous for this class of SUV.

Additional convenience includes an electrically-operated tailgate and a rear seat that split-folds in a 40:20:40 arrangement, allowing long, slender loads to be accommodated as well as carrying four passengers comfortably. Top-spec models come with adaptive air suspension, and a bonus of the system is that the rear of the car can be lowered by 55mm to aid the loading of heavier items.

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Poke around the passenger compartment and you’ll find the usual mix of lidded cubbies, door bins, cupholders and a usefully-sized glovebox. We found storage is a bit rubbish in the centre console during our long-term test, though, with just a few tiny compartments. If you need additional storage, an optional Storage Pack adds netting to the front seat backs, cupholders to the rear seat armrest, a driver’s storage compartment and luggage nets.

Is it easy to park?

A 2020 facelift brought with it larger bumpers, so the Audi Q5 fractionally grew in length by 19mm to 4,682mm, but the large door mirrors and big windows help with visibility. All cars come with front and rear parking sensors as standard, as well as a rear-view camera, while light steering at low speeds helps with manoeuvrability.

The top-spec Vorsprung model boosts the convenience features, including a 360-degree camera view. It also comes with Park Assist, which uses assorted sensors to allow the car to parallel park and bay park automatically – all you need to do is control the accelerator and brake, and the car will steer itself into a gap. This setup is available as an option on other trims, too.

Safety

• Five-star Euro NCAP test
• All cars have LED lights
• Some safety kit is optional, though

The safety experts at Euro NCAP awarded the Audi Q5 a full five-star score when it was assessed in 2017. Among the safety kit that every Q5 gets are LED headlights and taillamps, part-time Quattro all-wheel drive (full-time on the SQ5), autonomous emergency braking, a pop-up bonnet for enhanced pedestrian protection, auto lights and wipers and six airbags. There are also two Isofix child seat-mounting points in the rear, while Audi also offers Isofix on the front passenger seat as an option.

What we’re disappointed about is how much cutting-edge safety equipment remains on the extra-cost options list. Although all cars have full LED headlamps, Audi’s matrix LED units are standard on S line models and above – they work by shutting down portions of light so as to not dazzle oncoming cars when the main beam is switched on. Similarly, Audi’s head-up display system that projects key information such as speed and sat-nav directions onto the windscreen is also optional.

Adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras, blind spot warning, cross-traffic alert to advise you of oncoming vehicles when reversing, or even a clever system where a warning light flashes if you’re about to open a door with cars approaching from behind all cost extra. If you’re buying a new Q5 and have funds to spend on options, think carefully about whether you need those larger alloy wheels or an upgraded audio system over something that will keep you and your passengers safer.

Watch: Audi Q5 Euro NCAP crash test