As SUV lovers wince under the pressure of fuel costs and high road tax, many are choosing to opt for one of the many recent diet-version models such as the BMW X3 or Land Rover Freelander. Audi's answer to this is the Q5 - a smaller brother to the hefty Q7.
Visually, the Q5 is a success. It's set lower than many classmates, has a sleek, sporty profile, and an aggressively deep front grille, which all add up to a good deal of poise. Interior space is excellent, despite the car's chassis being narrower (although longer) than its rivals from BMW and Land Rover, and Audi's trademark quality finish is present and correct.
2.0- and 3.0-litre diesel engines are available with a range of outputs from 140bhp to 240bhp, and there are two variations on a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit, too. Audi predicts the 2.0-litre TDI will top the sales figures - go for the 170bhp version and you'll find it handles the Q5's relative bulk effectively, although the 3.0-litre alternatives are significantly quicker. All engines offer respectable emissions for this class of car, but readings are still closer to those of a Q7 than an A3.
That relatively low-slung stance means the Q5 can't compete with the Freelander for off-road prowess, but it has been engineered with some sort of ability away from the black stuff in mind. There's a traction setting designed to better cope with loose surfaces and snow, and electronic hill descent keeps things steady when you're losing altitude, so the Q5 doesn't embarrass itself when the going gets rough.
A more familiar environment for this car will be normal roads, though, and this is where it excels. Body-roll is kept in check, and there's plenty of confidence-inspiring composure through bends. A regular gripe for modern Audis is their solid ride, but the Q5 scores well on this front, offering a far more refined experience than you'd expect. These characteristics make it fairly enjoyable on snaking rural blasts, but there are also good motorway manners on offer, meaning longer trips are perfectly comfortable. Despite a pair of massive wing mirrors which cause a little disturbance, noise is generally low in the cabin, although larger wheels means more drone from the tyres.
£30,000-plus for a 2.0-litre TDI in SE trim means the Q5 isn't cheap, but standard equipment levels are good, and optional extras are offered in packs, meaning upgrades are more wallet-friendly than for some other Audi models.
Given that the Q5 is aimed more at on-roaders who want some elevation to their driving position and a feeling of security behind the wheel, rather than serious trailblazers, it hits the mark admirably.