Driving design

The all-new Audi Q5 Sportback range has made it’s long-waited arrival in Australia, bringing the distinctive Sportback style to the tremendously popular Audi Q5 ranks for the first time. The arrival of this distinctive design adding another dimension to a model that has hit the sweet spot right from the word go.

The popularity and critical success of the Q5 models internationally and in Australia since their arrival in 2009 is well documented. With its perfect blend of performance, luxurious appointment and tremendous practicality in a mid-sized SUV, the Q5 range has struck a chord with customers that has continued unabated since the first model, to make the Q5 not only the most successful SUV but the brand’s most successful model in Australia.

In addition, the subsequent Audi SQ5 TDI and later TFSI performance models have also established their own dedicated following, elevating the SQ5, particularly in TDI guise to something approaching cult status.

Now, the arrival of the Sportback models of both the Q5 and SQ5 variants brings a style focus to the luxurious mid-sized SUV, boasting all of the attributes that have endeared the models to customers and adding that Sportback flair to the equation.

The first Audi vehicle to showcase the now familiar Sportback styling and indeed Sportback name, was the Audi A5 Sportback. This five-door adaption of the stunning A5 Coupe, effectively retaining the coupe-like roofline and unbridled sports appeal, but in a five-door configuration. The elegant Audi A7 Sportback followed before the Sportback concept and design found its way into the Audi Q and e-tron ranges also with tremendous success. The Audi Q3 Sportback and RS Q3 Sportback joined the ranks in 2020 in Australia along with the Audi e-tron Sportback and now the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback add their presence to line-up.

On Australian roads, the Q5 Sportback will be offered with both diesel and petrol powerplants with the 40 TDI quattro S line ($77,700*) and the 45 TFSI quattro S line ($86,300*). Those seeking even greater performance are catered for with the SQ5 Sportback TDI ($110,900*).

The looks of the Q5 Sportback speak for themselves, the steeply raked roofline the most prominent styling point, giving it an unmistakably sporting appearance that marries perfectly with the aggressive front end and sculpted flanks. Those with a particular eye for detail might notice the absence of the roof rails on the Sportback variants, keeping with the smooth sweeping roofline unadorned – but these can be added as an option for those with a lifestyle that requires roof-mounted equipment.

Slight differences in lighting tech tell the two engine variants apart at a glance, with LED technology front and rear on the TDI model, while the 45 TFSI gets Matrix LED headlights and taillights with dynamic indicators.

In addition, the digital OLED rear tail lights first seen on the Q5 SUV released earlier in the year can also be optioned on any of the Sportback models, bringing with them the customisable  lighting signature and the proximity sensor which strobes the brake lights should another vehicle come within two metres of the rear.

The S line exterior styling is standard on both models, adding to the overall sports effect, with its subtle rear spoiler and the distinctive diffuser treatment. The standard 20-inch alloy wheels also feature distinctive designs to further differentiate between the TDI and TFSI models.

Styling differs again with the SQ5 Sportback, although as always, the emphasis is on subtlety and there is nary a hint of brashness to be seen. 

Matrix LED headlights and huge air intakes flank the honeycomb black grille while on the rear, the distinctive quad exhaust tips are a giveaway that this is an S model in case you haven’t already spotted the subtle S badging on the grille and rear flanks. Those with that keen eye might also notice the larger, 21-inch alloy wheels that fill the muscular, flared wheel arches.

Inside, the design and finish is as luxurious and well considered as you would expect in the Q5 family. The size of the Q5 has long been a major attraction and that’s no different here in the Sportback models. The raked roofline impacts rear headroom only slightly for taller passengers, while its effect on rear storage is neither here nor there unless you’re loading to the roof lining, in which case it’s down 10 litre on its SUV stablemate to 510 litres. 

Likewise rear visibility is not overly impacted by the slightly smaller, raked rear window, this driver noticing no discernible difference with the wing mirrors properly adjusted.

No surprises in the fact that the finish and appointment in the Q5 and SQ5 is superb. Beautifully upholstered leather seats – diamond stitched and heated in the TFSI – offer four-way electronic adjustment up front, with three-zone deluxe air-conditioning and cabin inlays in aluminium rhombus (TDI) or matt brushed aluminium (TFSI).

Standard equipment varies slightly between TDI and TFSI, but is of the highest order in both and builds on that offered by their respective siblings in the broader Q5 range. Audi’s virtual cockpit standard is standard fair, as well as Audi connect plus opening up a world of online services and additional functions. There is of course the integration of the Audi smartphone interface via Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, as well as the MMI Touch display with 10.1-inch high-resolution screen to control a range of functions. 

The multi-function wheel (with paddle shift on both models) likewise allows the driver to control key vehicle systems without taking their hands off the wheel and the Q5 Sportback also offers voice command for even greater flexibility.

The SQ5 Sportback performance model boasts the same level of specification offered on the newly released SQ5 TDI – and once again, this offering is so extensive that there are simply no options to be offered.

Both the TDI and TFSI powerplants feature 12 volt Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for outstanding efficiency, mated to Audi’s seven-speed S tronic transmission and of course with quattro all-wheel drive with ultra technology.

The 2.0 TDI with its 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque, sees off the sprint to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and delivers impressive efficiency with 5.4L/100km/h into the bargain. Add to that a possible range of over 1250km from a tank of fuel (70 litre tank) and the appeal of the TDI Q5 Sportback as a perfect candidate for a long road trip is obvious.

The Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI is likewise 2.0-litres, its output of 183kW and 370Nm of torque shaving 1.3 seconds of the standing sprint to 6.3 seconds. The SQ5 Sportback TDI with its 3.0-litre V6 with 48v MHEV and Electric Powered Compressor (EPC), sees power and torque outputs increase to 251kW and 700Nm, with that torque band spread between 1750rpm and 3250rpm for incredible tractability. Mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, this sees the 0 to 100km/h sprint drop to just 5.1 seconds and yet the SQ5 Sportback will manage fuel consumption as low as 7.1L/100km – impressive for a performance model.

In addition, both TDI models come in well under the stringent Euro 6d emissions standards despite the significant difference in their powerplants and output, with twin SCR catalytic converters on each model effectively reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 90 percent.

Of course safety and driver assistance systems are impressive across the board, with 5-star ANCAP rating as with the existing Q5 range, that includes everything from eight airbags to a full suite of assistance systems on hand for practically any situation. From adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and exit warning, to cross traffic assist rear and active lane assist with lane change warning are all standard inclusions. While the extensive list of other technology including the hill descent control, hold assist and parking assist plus with reversing camera, tyre pressure monitor and 360-degree cameras all add to the enormous appeal of living with the Q5 Sportback.

At the end of the day of course, it all comes down to personal preference. While Audi Australia expects that around 25 to 30 percent of Q5 customers will opt for the Sportback design, that figure could well end up being higher, as has been the case with the Q3 models, where the split between SUV and Sportback configuration runs at 50/50 since the local release of the latter last year. But regardless of the design option that most appeals to your personal tastes, the Q5 in either guise, remains that sweet spot in the luxury SUV ranks. Behind the wheel or as a passenger, the Q5 continues to get it all ‘just right’ from the luxurious feel and appointment, to the assured feel and performance that sees it shine in any situation.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)