Frugal and more affordable Audi Q5 35 TDI arrives in Oz

Audi Australia has lowered the admission price of its popular mid-size luxury SUV with the introduction of the 2022 Audi Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition, which is powered by a lower-output diesel engine and sheds quattro all-wheel drive in the name of affordability and better fuel economy.

Priced from $68,350 plus on-road costs, the new front-drive Audi Q5 35 TDI comfortably takes the crown as the cheapest version of the German brand’s second best selling model in Australia, undercutting the pre-existing Q5 40 TDI by more than $4300 as a new-generation Audi Q5 looms.

That also undercuts direct rivals like the rear-drive petrol BMW X3 sDrive20i ($74,900 plus ORCs) and well as the cheapest Mercedes-Benz GLC and Porsche Macan – but not the most affordable rear-drive petrol Genesis GV70 (from $66,400) or front-drive petrol Lexus NX (from $60,800).

Powered by a downrated version of the familiar Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel seen in the 40 TDI, the new 35 TDI develops 120kW/370Nm and sips a claimed 4.8L/100km of diesel on the combined cycle.

Thanks to the standard 70-litre tank, Audi says the Q5 35 TDI offers a theoretical driving range of around 1400km.

As usual, transmission duties are catered for by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with drive being sent exclusively to the front wheels – a first for the Q5.

The flipside of these reduced outputs and front-drive configuration is inevitably reduced performance; 0-100km/h acceleration now takes nine seconds.

Despite its healthy price advantage, standard equipment for the Audi Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition virtually matches that of the pricier 40 TDI, albeit with some unique cosmetic touches.

Package highlights include 20-inch Audi Sport wheels, full LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and start, powered tailgate, leather-appointed seat trim, power-adjustable and heated front seats, ambient lighting, tri-zone climate control and a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Infotainment duties are taken care of by a 10.1-inch MMI touch-screen interface featuring sat-nav, DAB digital radio+ and smartphone mirroring, all of which play through an eight-speaker sound system. A 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster is also included as standard.

While it might serve as the new entry point and debut a new drive configuration for the Q5 range, the 35 TDI isn’t the only Q5 Limited Edition to reach our shores this month.

Undercutting the standard 40 TDI Sport and 45 TFSI Sport they’re respectively based on in terms of price, the 2022 Audi Q5 40 TDI Sport Limited Edition ($77,600) and 2022 Audi Q5 45 TFSI Sport Limited Edition ($79,400) follow a similar recipe to the 35 TDI in upping style and value – but without the power dip.

Wearing the same 10-spoke Audi Sport wheels as the 35 TDI and coming with privacy glass and ambient lighting, the 40 TDI and 45 TFSI Sport Limited Editions are $1100 and $1400 cheaper than their donor cars respectively, but omit the panoramic sunroof and phone box light due to lack of availability.

Audi Australia marketing general manager Nick Reid said the Q5 35 TDI Limited Edition would likely stay on as a permanent member of the local Audi Q5 range once its initial tenure was up.

“With the introduction of this model and the curation of our two Sport Limited Edition models, we are ensuring that we are bringing the most attractive vehicles possible to the premium market at this time,” he said.

How much do the 2022 Audi Q5 Limited Editions cost?
35 TDI Limited Edition (a) – $68,350
40 TDI Sport Limited Edition (a) – $77,600
45 TFSI Sport Limited Edition (a) – $79,400
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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