Used test: Audi SQ5 vs Range Rover Evoque vs Porsche Macan interiors

Interiors

Driving position, visibility, build quality, practicality

All three SUVs come with powered driver’s seats (with adjustable lumbar support) and will comfortably accommodate very tall occupants up front, although some drivers may find the Porsche Macan's narrow footwell slightly irritating.

The Audi SQ5's more generous head room makes for an airier interior; it also has the best rear visibility; the sloping rooflines of the Macan and Range Rover Evoque cause bigger rear three-quarter blind spots .

Anyone familiar with Porsche interiors will recognise the layout of the Macan. The interior is bisected by a central spine that’s littered with well-damped, if overwhelmingly numerous, buttons.

Disappointingly, Porsche charged extra for Bluetooth, although most should have been specced with this. All the essential infotainment features (aside from sat-nav) are present and correct in the standard screen, and it’s easy to control via the shortcut buttons and two rotary knobs, or it can be operated as a regular touchscreen.

The Audi’s dashboard isn’t quite as classy, with flimsier buttons and switches. However, the more minimalist design and intuitive air-con controls actually make the layout easier to use.

Like the Macan, the Audi has a rotary controller and surrounding shortcut buttons to make its infotainment system easy to use, while most of the menus are logically laid out. However it seems stingy to have charged extra for a USB and iPod/MP3 player connection, so look out for examples that have it.

There’s no denying the Evoque’s sense of theatre, with its rising rotary gear selector and crystal-effect speedo detailing. Thankfully, that flair doesn’t come at the expense of usability; most of the dashboard controls are easy to fathom and are thoughtfully positioned. However, the interior doesn’t feel as solidly put together as its German rivals’.

However, it does have the most generous spec here, and is the only car to get sat-nav as standard (it was a four-figure option on the Macan and SQ5). It's a shame, though, that the touchscreen can be slow to respond and needs frustratingly precise prodding.

If rear passenger space is a priority, you’ll want the SQ5, mainly because it has considerably more leg room than both of its rivals. The Macan is the least generous here for rear head room, so the truly lanky could feel a bit hemmed in. Even so, these are big cars, and a six-footer will be able to fit behind a tall driver easily.

The SQ5 wins on boot space, too. It has the broadest and deepest load bay here, but the Macan’s boot is slightly longer. The Evoque, meanwhile, has the smallest boot, despite what Land Rover claims.

That said, you’ll easily fit a couple of buggies in any of these SUVs, and all have rear seats that fold flat for when you want even more carrying capacity.

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