We moved on to styling. He didn't notice a significant improvement on the 2013 Q5's front end (revised bumper and grille along with thinner headlight units) and actually preferred his LED daytime running lamps, which run from the inner and upper edge of the headlight unit. The 2013 Q5 sports a new fiber-optic-like LED bar bordering the entire headlight unit. Out back, however, he did like the new LED taillights and flat-bottomed exhaust tips.

Inside, he was indifferent to the revised switchgear with metallic finishes and the tweaked instrument panel. His reaction, however, was much different to the new flat-bottomed steering wheel, which is bundled in with the $2500 S line package. "I want that!" he yelled. And that wasn't the end of it. His face turned a deeper shade of green when we moved on to the revised MMI infotainment system. The screen display, he said, was noticeably sharper. The voice command system is improved, too, allowing you to provide a full address in one shot, whereas the old system requires a prompt and confirmation for each line item. The biggest source of envy for my friend was the addition of streaming Bluetooth audio, something he wishes his car had.

Pricing for the new 2013 Audi Q5 3.0T starts at $44,795 (including $895 destination), which is a few hundred more dollars than an X3 with the turbo six. Our tester topped off at $51,820, thanks to a number of options including metallic paint ($475); the Audi MMI Navigation plus package that includes the new Audi connect system ($3550); the S line package with 20-inch rims, the flat-bottom steering wheel, adaptive suspension and Drive Select ($2500); and the Sport interior package, which includes sport seats with added bolstering ($500).

The Q5 is also still available with the tamer and less expensive 2.0-liter turbo four, and a new hybrid that pairs the four-cylinder with an electric motor joins the lineup for 2013. If that weren't enough, an oil-burning diesel is slated to arrive by fall 2013. But if you need to haul your cargo in a hurry, the supercharged V-6 is the way to go. Sure, Audi's stable includes much faster cars, such as the RS6 Avant, but spending time in the supercharged Q5 does offer a nice distraction, even if it is just 5.5 seconds at a time.

2013 Audi Q5 3.0T
BASE PRICE	$44,795
PRICE AS TESTED	$51,820
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE	3.0L/272-hp/295-lb-ft supercharged DOHC 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	4336 lb (54/46%)
WHEELBASE	110.5 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	182.6 x 74.7 x 65.2 in
0-60 MPH	5.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	14.1 sec @ 96.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	105 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.88 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	26.4 sec @ 0.69 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON	18/26 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	187/130 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS	0.93 lb/mile