Audi’s Q5 soft-roader is an important car for the German luxury brand. How important? Well, it now accounts for one in five sales of the four-ring badge in Australia.

How, then, do you change a successful formula enough to reignite interest, but not rub the Q5-buying masses up the wrong way?

According to Audi, it’s a combination of styling changes, improved ride and handling and a lot more interior appeal.

The entire Q5 range now features force-fed engines, including a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol mill.

However, we’re testing the $62,200 entry-level model that features a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and sending drive to all four wheels.