Audi’s Q5 just needs a little more excitement

It almost mirrors its bigger brother in terms of styling, presence, gadgets, capability and price. This 3.0 Tdi Quattro SE version we tested might start at a mildly appealing £33,000, but the end result that we sampled carried an eye-watering £46,795 price tag.

Okay, so it came with perhaps more luxury appointments than most would possibly choose, but inside this mid-sized 4x4, is a keen sporty car trying to break out.

It's backed up with the surefootedness of Quattro four-wheel drive and a strong, silky-smooth 3-litre V6 diesel engine that is cleaner, smoother, quieter and more efficient than before.

This V6 is so quiet in fact, that road noise from those 20in optional wheels is significantly intrusive.

Those six cylinders generate 240hp from 4,000-4,400rpm, backed up with a wall of torque that measures 500Nm dished out from 1,500-3,000rpm. But it needs it, to put some useful step into this 1,865kg vehicle.

But the engine isn't the Q5's jewel in its crown – that accolade is reserved for the S-Tronic transmission. This seven speeder behaves like a full powershift and gives seamless, uninterrupted power delivery through the gears.

It drives like an auto, has an auto-type gearstick and only uses two pedals. But there's no torque converter. The reality is that S Tronic is a seven speed manual transmission that uses two electro-hydraulically controlled, oil immersed clutches – one pack for the odd numbered gears, the other for the even numbered gears.

Changes are lightening quick, smooth and barely perceptible. And there's no feathering of power when each shift is made. Those who want to interfere with the gear changes can use paddles on the back of the steering wheel, and every paddle-instigated downshift brings an automatic blip of the throttle, adding to the sporty feel.

It's a showcase of technology. Headlights that turn into corners as you steer, adaptive cruise control that sets your speed off the car in front, Audi's drive select system of tweaking steering and suspension settings from the dash, and the push-pull electronic key, are all items that will appeal to the technophobes long before the driving experience pushes the buttons of car enthusiasts.

Not sure about the push-pull key though. Spent 15 minutes one night starting and stopping the engine because it refused to release the key.

The Q5 is dripping in high-end build quality. It has a beautifully crafted interior, fit and finish that's more associated with more bespoke car makers.

But nice doesn't bring soul. Sitting behind the wheel of the Q5 is no different an experience to sitting in virtually any other model in the Audi range. Yes, it is familiar, yes it is welcoming, and like a well-worn pair of old slippers, you know you can depend on it. It just lacks excitement.