Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI SE

* Price: £30,780* Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 208bhp* 0-62mph: 7.2 seconds* Top speed: 137mph* Economy: 33.2mpg* CO2: 197g/km* Standard equipment: Leather trim, air-conditioning, hill descent control, 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps and wipers* On sale: Now

Arriving fashionably late to a party is a surefire way to get noticed – ask Audi. The German firm’s stylish Q5 has only just entered the crowded compact SUV market, but it’s already made a big impact.

Auto Express was first to get behind the wheel of the excellent 2.0-litre diesel version, placing it ahead of the new Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Freelander in Issue 1,041. But does the car make as much sense with a petrol powerplant?

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi Q5

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On paper, the 2.0-litre TFSI engine looks impressive. The 208bhp turbocharged unit is due to be fitted to the forthcoming VW Golf GTI, and here it’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive. This enables the Q5 to scorch from 0-62mph in a hot hatch-rivalling 7.2 seconds.

Externally, there’s little to mark the petrol car out from other models in the range. The rugged Audi apes the imposing lines of the larger Q7, giving the smaller car real road presence. Climb aboard and you’ll find a beautifully built cabin full of high-quality materials. There’s a decent amount of space as well, although legroom in the rear is in short supply.

On the move, the refined TFSI unit serves up strong performance, particularly in the mid-range. However, the S tronic gearbox is a poor match for the engine and is rather jerky at low speeds.

Turn into a bend, and direct steering combines with good body control to give impressive agility. Unfortunately, the ride quality isn’t as smooth, with the optional 20-inch wheels crashing violently over bumps. At £30,780, the TFSI adds another £1,500 to the price of the capable diesel version, too.