X

2014 Audi Q5 TDI demonstrates diesel efficiency (pictures)

Audi gives its Q5 crossover the TDI treatment, a diesel engine that pushes fuel economy up to the high 30s, about 5 mpg better than its gasoline equivalent.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
35828361_SS08.jpg
1 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Audi added the Q5 to its lineup in 2009, following the Q7 and expanding its lineup of crossover vehicles. For the 2014 model year, the Q5 can be had with a choice of four different engines: four-cylinder, gasoline V-6, hybrid, and diesel V-6.
35828361_SS12.jpg
2 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
As a medium-sized crossover, the Q5 seats five and has room left over for a decent amount of cargo space. The exterior design is fairly mundane, built around the needs of the interior space.
35828361_SS01.jpg
3 of 19 Wayne Cunningham/CNET
This model featured a huge TDI logo on the side, helping to advertise Audi's diesel efforts. That logo is not mandatory.
35828361_SS05.jpg
4 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The edges around the rear are nicely rounded, but the almost vertical rear plane makes for a healthy amount of cargo space.
35828361_SS19.jpg
5 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
As is typical with crossovers, the rear seats fold down to offer more cargo area, taking the cubic feet from 29.1 to 57.3.
35828361_SS18.jpg
6 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The TDI model comes standard with Quattro, Audi's all-wheel-drive system.
35828361_SS17.jpg
7 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Panoramic sunroofs have become very popular in crossovers and wagons.
35828361_SS03.jpg
8 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Audi's grille covers a good portion of the front of the car, dropping over the bumper. Thin LED strips border the headlights.
35828361_SS14.jpg
9 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The rear-quarter visibility is limited, but the car can be optioned with a blind-spot monitor.
35828361_SS20.jpg
10 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The 3-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine produces 240 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque.
35828361_SS21.jpg
11 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
To meet emissions requirements, the Audi Q5 TDI's exhaust system uses a liquid called AdBlue.
35828361_SS22.jpg
12 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Audi is classified and priced as a premium brand, an attribute reflected in the cabin.
35828361_SS26.jpg
13 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
This satin-finish wood trim has a very nice look, and lets passengers feel the wood grain.
35828361_SS23.jpg
14 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Optional in the cabin is the navigation system with LCD, which Audi calls MMI Navigation Plus.
35828361_SS27.jpg
15 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Although the cabin offers very advanced electronics, Audi only allows a few buttons on the steering-wheel spokes.
35828361_SS25.jpg
16 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.
35828361_SS28.jpg
17 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
This dial and its surrounding buttons control all the onscreen content.
35828361_SS31.jpg
18 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The navigation system integrates imagery from Google Earth, letting you see the area you're driving through with a photographic representation.
35828361_SS34.jpg
19 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
A recent feature of the navigation system shows which parking garages have available space.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos