96: Audi Q5 – Lacks character, yet it’s a really good car

Top 100 cars for 2020: boasts an excellent interior, which has clearly been assembled with care and attention to detail

Audi Q5: It’s roomy, has a big boot, and is not even especially bad value for money
Audi Q5: It’s roomy, has a big boot, and is not even especially bad value for money

Audi’s Q5 has a bit of a problem in that it’s rather lacking in character. Which is not to say that it’s a bad car. Far from it; it’s actually a really good car. It’s hugely handsome. It has an excellent interior, which has clearly been assembled with care and attention to detail.

It has a deft chassis, with surprisingly well-balanced steering and a relatively gentle ride quality. It’s roomy, has a big boot, and is not even especially bad value for money. Here’s the problem though - it’s just not exciting in any particular sense.

It just lacks a sense of dynamism and excitement that should really drive the purchase of any car with a €50,000-plus price tag. We have nothing against the Audi Q5, nothing at all. But we just don't love it (although maybe the incoming hi-po diesel SQ5 will turn that around for us…).

Best model: Q5 40 TDI 190ho quattro S-Line for €62,105

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Price range: €51,950 to €88,820 Finance from €468 per month.

Co2 emissions: 190 to 215g/km

Sum up: An excellent car in search of a personality.

* A note on Co2 figures: For almost all the cars in the Top 100, we’ve quoted the stricter WLTP figures for Co2 emissions. A few are still quoted on their older NEDC2 figure, and that’s the number they’ll be taxed on. If you’re confused at all, just consult your local dealer for specific data for the make and model in which you’re interested.