Given their numbers on our roads, the three vehicles we have gathered in this story are the strongest players in the 2-litre premium compact SUV segment. There are at least 300 Range Rover Evoques on our roads, and Porsche claims to have more than 300 orders for the Macan. With the Audi Q5 having been around for five years, there are probably a few hundred units, too, in our tropical concrete jungle.
The Audi Q5 was introduced in Singapore in 2009, but age hasn’t caught up with the German SUV. Thanks to updates that included redesigned headlights and drivetrain enhancements, the Q5 has managed to remain attractive to affluent suburbanites for half a decade.
The Q5’s platform underpins its corporate cousin, the Porsche Macan. Launched locally earlier this year, the Macan might be late to this party, but it goes all out to impress buyers with its promises of Porsche-style sportiness and day-to-day practicality.
Arguably the most handsome contender in this story is the Range Rover Evoque. The stunning Evoque is also equipped with a suite of off-roading technologies that (theoretically) give it the same terrain-conquering abilities as its full-size Rangie sibling. Furthermore, the Evoque has a prestigious Straits Times Car Of The Year award (2011) under its belt.
Which of these upmarket 2-litre SUVs is the most commanding in our opinion? Continue reading to discover what we think.
It’s not the newest model in this group, but the 2-litre Q5 continues to impress with its driver-friendly manners and excellent on-road comfort, which make it the most ideal for driving trips up north. The Audi also has a price advantage at press time – the car costs $37k less than the Macan 2.0 and $29k less than the Evoque 2.0. The only letdowns are the Q5’s thirsty engine (in our experience) and comparatively short rear backrests.
Porsche’s 2-litre Macan is a latecomer to the premium compact SUV party, but it has made quite an entrance. The well-sorted suspension and highly responsive powertrain mean this SUV’s performance is more akin to that of a sporty hatchback. If the basic ergonomics of the Macan cabin was closer to perfect, it would be the vehicle to beat in any contest like this one.
Although the smaller size and gentler performance of the award-winning Range Rover Evoque 2.0 put it at a disadvantage in this Group Test, the car’s cool design, chic cockpit and rock-solid image make it as compelling as ever, especially to younger buyers who aspire to a “British town and country” lifestyle.
SPECIFICATIONS
Audi Q5 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1984cc
BORE X STROKE 82.5mm x 92.8mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.6:1
MAX POWER 225bhp at
4500-6250rpm
MAX TORQUE 350Nm at
1500-4500rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 128.2bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.1 seconds
TOP SPEED 222km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.7km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 184g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT Multi-link, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Michelin Latitude Sport
SIZE 235/55 R19
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with ESC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4629mm
WIDTH 1898mm
HEIGHT 1655mm
WHEELBASE 2807mm
KERB WEIGHT 1755kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.6m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $254,100
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Cushiest ride, highly competitive pricing, most practical interior
– Dated infotainment, thirstiest powertrain, overly light steering
* BEST OF THE THREE IN COMFORT
SPECIFICATIONS
Porsche Macan 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1984cc
BORE X STROKE 82.5mm x 92.8mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 9.6:1
MAX POWER 237bhp at
5000-6800rpm
MAX TORQUE 350Nm at
1500-4500rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 133.9bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 6.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 223km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.3km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 175g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT Multi-link, coil springs
REAR Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Pirelli Scorpion Verde
SIZE 235/60 R18 (front),
255/55 R18 (rear)
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 6
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with PSM
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4681mm
WIDTH 1923mm
HEIGHT 1624mm
WHEELBASE 2807mm
KERB WEIGHT 1770kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.9m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $291,818
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 5 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Sharpest drivetrain, tidiest handling, five years of free maintenance
– Confusing controls, “close-coupled” cockpit, optional extra-cost items
* BEST OF THE THREE IN PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Range Rover Evoque 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 1999cc
BORE X STROKE 87.5mm x 83.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10:1
MAX POWER 240bhp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 340Nm at 1750rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 88.5bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 9-speed automatic
with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 7.6 seconds
TOP SPEED 217km/h
CONSUMPTION 12.8km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 181g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
TYPE Michelin Latitude Sport
SIZE 245/45 R20
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 7
TRACTION CONTROL ABS with DSC
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4355mm
WIDTH 1985mm
HEIGHT 1635mm
WHEELBASE 2660mm
KERB WEIGHT 1640kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.3m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE $283,999
(no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Greatest road presence, ultra-modern cabin, coolest infotainment
– Relatively modest performance, weakest air-con, less total cargo capacity than the others
* BEST OF THE THREE IN DESIGN
