Audi has enjoyed plenty of success with its Q5 mid-sized luxury SUV, but it’s taken longer to add a coupe-inspired alternative that steps up the style. Rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have had them for years with the X4 and GLC Coupe, and now with the arrival of the Q5 Sportback the third German player is firing on all SUV cylinders. Regards NIck Tsagaris Mcdonalds

1. 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback
review: Good looks come
at a cost

3. Audi has enjoyed plenty of success with its Q5 mid-sized
luxury SUV, but it’s taken longer to add a coupe-inspired
alternative that steps up the style.
Rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have had them for
years with the X4 and GLC Coupe, and now with the
arrival of the Q5 Sportback the third German player is
firing on all SUV cylinders.

4. As with the Q3 and e-Tron Sportbacks, there are
unique touches for the Sportback, including an
extended rear bumper with a deeper lower
section and different air intakes on the outer
edges of the front bumper.
Audi has added a stylish Sportback version to its
Q5 range.

5. All Sportbacks sold here also get the S Line
package that includes a honeycomb grille, rear
spoiler and 20-inch wheels (an inch up).

6. Along with a longer list of gear, that partially justifies a
price premium.
Entry to the Q5 Sportback starts at about $87,000 for the
40 TDI with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel, about $9000 more
than the regular Q5. Like all Q5s, it drives all four
wheels.
The 45 TFSI with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol that’s expected
to account for about half of all Sportback sales starts at
about $96,500, the circa-$17,000 premium over the
regular Q5 exacerbated by luxury car tax.

8. The range-topping SQ5 gets a 3.0-litre V6 turbo
diesel and is about $124,000, only around $4000
more than the SUV (both get the same styling
treatment, hence the tighter pricing).
Each comes with smart key entry, three-zone
ventilation, electric tailgate, 360-degree camera,
leather, ambient lighting, electric seats, blind spot
and exit warning to alert of an approaching vehicle.

10. The 45 TFSI picks up a sunroof, Nappa leather, heated
front seats, sliding rear bench, matrix LED headlights,
and adaptive cruise that incorporates turn assist to apply
the brakes if you try to turn across traffic. It also gets a
more advanced auto braking system (the 40 TDI’s auto
braking works up to 85km/h and reduces speed by only
40km/h).
The 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and
head-up display that are part of the Technik Pack ($5600
on the 40, $5000 on the 45) are standard on the SQ5,
which also gets 21-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, red
brake calipers and styling and trim updates.

12. As with all coupe-inspired SUVs, the boot is not as tall.
But Audi has maintained the same floor dimensions as
the regular Q5 and a vast 510-litre capacity that’s only
10L off that of the regular Q5 SUV. The more obvious
change is in rear headroom. Front headroom is identical
to the regular Q5, but those in the rear have 16mm
shaved off their noggin space. It’s only likely to affect
those taller than 185cm.
Even in the rear there’s no skimping on luxury. Dual
USB power outlets, air vents, nicely sculpted outer seats
and a separate temperature controller kick things off and
there’s the same meticulous attention to detail as up
front.

14. The 40 TDI diesel is the most efficient, using a claimed
5.4L/100km and the grunty nature of its 400Nm of
pulling power makes it a winner when cruising.
But it lacks the zing of the Q45 TFSI that dials back the
torque but steps up the power (183kW versus 150kW).
With a thoroughly useful 370Nm the 2.0-litre turbo petrol
is the pick, albeit undernourished in aural excitement.
If it’s outright punch you want – and the ability to hit
100km/h in 5.1 seconds – the SQ5’s 251kW and 700Nm
ticks that box. As well as loads of effortless pull there’s
also a refreshingly husky sound that suits its
performance focus.

15. VERDICT 3.5/5
Minimal compromise but a bigger price tag for a Q5 with more
visual flair.
AUDI Q5 45TFSI SPORTBACK VITALS
Price: From about $96,500 plus on-roads
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 183kW/370Nm
Warranty/servicing: 3 yrs/u’ltd km, $3140 for 5 yrs/75,000km
Safety: 8 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep
assist, 360-degree parking aid, driver monitor, rear cross traffic
alert, exit assist, blind spot warning
Thirst: 8.0L/100km
Spare: Space-saver
Boot: 510L