audi SQ5 3,0t FSI Quattro tiptronic

IN 2018, Audi’s Q5 range was handed the Top 12 Best Buys crown in the premium midsize Suv/crossover category, proving one of the easiest awards to call. And this year? Flick to page 54 and you’ll notice Ingolstadt’s classy crossover has been relegated to third.

So, what’s changed over the past 12 months? Well, Volvo’s frankly excellent XC60 has joined the fray, while BMW has shrewdly expanded its line-up of locally built X3 derivatives, catering to a broader audience. Placing the Q5 behind these two capable competitors certainly wasn’t a unanimous decision, though, with the close vote preceded by animated debate. Indeed, once raised hands were tallied, there were a few furrowed brows around the table.

And they were entirely justified. You see, the Q5 range does very little wrong. In the case of this flagship S-badged model, the 3,0-litre V6 serves up a brutally effective, although deceptive, turn of speed. It may not be quite

as involving to drive quickly as the updated Porsche Macan S, not quite as boisterous as the Mercedes-amg GLC43 (never mind the V8-powered, 63-badged version) nor quite as hard-edged as the BMW X3 M40i, but that’s essentially its key strength.

With an ability to spread its talents more broadly than most rivals, the SQ5 can successfully slip into any number of roles. This is something of which I’ll take advantage as I point the Audi towards Plettenberg Bay for one last road trip before its time with us draws to a close.

I’ve come to appreciate the understated SQ5’S keen balance of comfort, versatility and, when needed, its easily accessible pace. And while it’s fairly common to develop a soft spot for a vehicle placed in your care for an extended period, that simply hasn’t been the case with this SQ5. Why? Because soft spots are for underdogs and the Audi is certainly no underdog, even if it now occupies the lowest step on the podium.