AUDI Australia has introduced its ultra-efficient Q5 35 TDI Down Under this month, with the sub-$70k mid-size SUV offering a single-70-litre-tank driving range of more than 1400km and most of the glitz and glamour found in higher-grade variants.

Considering it is positioned as the entry-level offering in the Q5 range, the 35 TDI wants for very little. Sure, the monotone cabin décor might lack the pizzazz of higher-grade variants, but it is equal parts comfortable and practical, and features most of the big-ticket technology items one would expect to experience in a premium SUV.

Priced from $68,350 (plus on-road costs), the 35 TDI offers a theoretical cruising range of over 1400km; its ADR combined cycle fuel consumption is listed at just 4.8L/100km. To save you the suspense, we managed 6.1L/100km on test without really trying, which was wonderful – considering the test unit spent most of its time doing the inner-urban hustle.

The Audi Q5 35 TDI isn’t meagrely specified either. It comes equipped as standard with niceties such as 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels (with a space saver spare), privacy glass and an interior LED lighting package on top of a long list of safety and technology items.

Externally, there are LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights, as well as cornering and all-weather lights, Audi convenience key, electric tailgate with gesture control, heated side mirrors, -washers and -windscreen, plus aluminium-finish roof rails.

Inside, the 35 TDI benefits from leather-appointed upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats (with four-way lumbar support), a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel (with shift paddles and hands-on detection), tri-zone climate control, an auto-dimming frameless rear-view mirror, floor mats all round, plus a useful 40:20:40 split-fold rear seat.

On the infotainment front, the 35 TDI is equipped with a 7.0-inch high-resolution instrument display, Audi’s 10.1-inch MMI navigation plus system with Audi connect plus, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired) connectivity, digital radio reception (DAB+), an eight-speaker/100W audio system, as well as dual USB outlets front and rear.

Like all Q5 variants, the 35 TDI features numerous standard safety and driver-assistance technologies, such as Audi Pre-sense city with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) including pedestrian detection, Audi Pre-sense rear and -basic, active land assist and lane-change (blind-spot) warning, exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist, cruise control with speed-limiter function, high-beam assist, Audi parking system plus with rear camera, hold assist, hill descent control, tyre-pressure sensors, Audi Drive Select and eight airbags.

Like all Audi vehicles, the entry-level Q5 is backed by a five-year warranty. Five-year service plans are available for purchase at any time during the first 12 months of ownership and are priced from $3140.