Audi has delivered a trendier take on its second generation Q5 mid-sized SUV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the Q5 Sportback.

Ten Second Review

Audi's Q5 Sportback offers strong competition to more established trendy mid-sized premium badged coupe-style SUVs like BMW's X4 and the Mercedes GLC Coupe. As with those cars, there aren't too many practical compromises in creation of this model's more stylish look and clever OLED rear lighting tech offers an extra showroom incentive.

Background

Audi's usually pretty good at filling obvious market niches but the brand was slow to spot the potential of coupe-style SUVs. The first such Ingolstadt model, the Q3 Sportback, wasn't introduced until 2019 - and that wasn't large enough to take on two more established mid-sized coupe-SUV contenders, the BMW X4 and the Mercedes GLC Coupe. Here though, is an Audi that is, the Q5 Sportback. This Mexican-built model is significant in the way it will considerably broaden the appeal of Audi's global bestseller - over 300,000 Q5s were delivered in 2019. And its arrival now means that the Ingolstadt maker has the widest range of coupe-SUVs on the market, the Q3 and Q5 Sportback models sharing showroom space with the Q8 and the brand's all-electric e-tron Sportback.

Driving Experience

Though the engineering isn't really any different here from an ordinary Q5, this Q5 Sportback will feel a bit different to drive from most standard models because it only comes with firmer sports suspension. You might think it too firm, in which case you'll be minded to pay extra for either adaptive damping or full air suspension. The mainstream engine range is based around a couple of 2.0-litre models, the 204PS 40 TDI (diesel) and the 45 TFSI (petrol). These use a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch auto transmission. If you want more power, there's a potent SQ5 Sportback diesel variant with a 341PS twin turbo V6 TDI unit beneath the bonnet, mated to an 8-speed tiptronic auto transmission. You can also ask your Audi Centre about a plug-in hybrid TFSI e petrol model, the 50 TFSI e variant, which offers 299PS. Whatever Q5 you choose, it'll come with a quattro all wheel drive system that in some cases includes an on-demand system that can disengage the rear axle in everyday driving conditions for maximum efficiency, then reconnect it predictively within fractions of a second when required. The 'Audi drive select' driving modes dynamic handling system puts the driver in control of several technical components, including the air suspension in top variants.

Design and Build

There are no half measures here. The Q5 body shape has been completely re-designed from the B-pillar backwards, with a sloping roofline and a tapering rear window. Plus the lower body line has been raised to make the car appear longer - it actually is, but only by 7mm, due to a protruding set of OLED tail lamps which, in a segment first, can be customised with a choice of three lighting signatures. There are changes at the front too, the Sportback-specific grille featuring a bespoke honeycomb-style design borrowed from the brand's S performance models. This is flanked by the latest LED headlights lately introduced into the standard Q5. Inside, it's the same as that standard model up-front of course - which means that like the latest improved version of the ordinary Q5, you get Ingolstadt's latest third generation MIB 3 infotainment platform with its bigger 10.1-inch screen. Plus a 12.3-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument binnacle display of course. Out back, rear seat passengers lose 1-2cms of headroom to the sloping roofline, but can still benefit from the optional 'rear bench seat plus' sliding bench. Boot capacity falls from 550 to 510-litres, though you can increase that to 1480-litres by folding the rear seat.

Market and Model

Expect only a small price premium to have this Sportback bodyshape rather than the standard SUV Q5 body style. That'll mean asking prices for mainstream variants that fall in the £47,000 to £65,000 bracket and the mainstream range is based around 'Sport', 'S line' and 'Vorsprung' trim levels. All versions get a large 10.1-inch centre-dash MMI infotainment screen and a standard Audi Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch instrument binnacle screen. Even base 'Sport' derivatives feature full-leather upholstery - there's alcantara and leather in the mid-range 'S line' versions or diamond stitched Fine Nappa leather with the top flight 'Vorsprung' trim. As befits their status, the 'Vorsprung' models also feature an extended upholstery pack which takes in the lower section of the centre console and the door armrests, plus full electric adjustment and a massage function for the front seats. At this top level in the range, the outer rear seats are also upgraded with heating to match the front seats - which are heated throughout the range. Across the line-up, you get front and rear parking sensors complemented by a reversing camera and cruise control, plus the 'Pre sense city collision avoidance and mitigation' system and 'hill descent control'. Q5 Sportback 'Vorsprung' variants supplement this tally with upgraded adaptive cruise control and Pre sense systems, as well as assistants to take care of everything from manoeuvring into a parking space and then reversing out again to turning at junctions, monitoring blind spots and observing motorway lane boundaries.

Cost of Ownership

This second generation Q5 design has always been very class-competitive in terms of efficiency - and that's reflected by the WLTP figures here. The 40 TDI diesel variant manages up to 44.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 165g/km of CO2. These excellent figures have been aided by the so-called 'twin dosing' catalytic converter technology for this variant's 2.0 TDI unit, which features dual AdBlue injection, significantly increasing emissions cleanliness. With 'twin dosing', AdBlue is injected upstream of two SCR catalytic converters arranged in series, with the result of cutting emissions of nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80% compared with older versions of this engine. The 45 TFSI petrol model manages up to 33.6mpg and up to 192g/km. Elsewhere in the range, the SQ5's 3.0 TDI diesel delivers 34.4mpg and 214g/km. For the 50 TFSI e plug-in petrol/electric variant, it's up to 166.2mpg and up to 38g/km. And residuals? Well, trying to buy a used Q5 is quite a depressing experience as they cling onto their value with some tenacity. This is great news for the new buyer and part of a trend certain to continue with this Sportback model. After the usual three year / 60,000 mile ownership period, expect it still to be worth around 45% of what you originally paid for it.

Summary

It's surprising that Audi gave BMW and Mercedes the mid-sized coupe-SUV market to themselves for so long. But this Q5 Sportback corrects that oversight with characteristic Ingolstadt thoroughness. If the sales profile of the smaller Q3 Sportback is replicated, it'll likely be the preferred Q5 body shape in future for most customers. With more conventional Audis, we often talk of a driving dynamic shortfall to an equivalent rear-driven BMW, but that's much less the case here. Anyway, refinement and luxury have always been bigger priorities in this segment, these always Audi strong points. There's a 'want one' factor here. Which should stand this car in very good stead.

Body Glass

Rear wash/wipe

Heated rear window

Privacy glass

Front and rear electric windows

Windscreen with acoustic glazing

Rear and side windows with heat insulating glass

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Front emergency brake assist

Hill hold assist

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Communication

Audi application store

Audi connect emergency call and service

Audi smartphone interface

Driver Aids

Audi drive select

Advanced driver attention alert

Camera based traffic sign recognition

Adaptive cruise control

Fatigue monitor

Park assist plus

Parking system plus with 360 display

Power assisted steering

Front cross traffic intersection assist

Traffic sign based speed limiter

Swerve assist and turn assist

Reversing camera

Lane departure warning system

Driver Information

MMI navigation plus with high resolution 14.5" OLED touchscreen colour display

Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9" OLED colour display

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Logo projection light in exterior mirrors

Body coloured door mirrors

Electrically adjustable heated and folding + automatically dimming exterior mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Anthracite matt brushed aluminium inlays with linear embossing

Accent surfaces and control buttons in gloss black

Black dashboard with contrast stitching

Upper and lower interior elements in artificial leather

Entertainment

Smartphone compartment with wireless charging

Audi sound system impressive sound with 10 loudspeakers including centre speaker and subwoofer, 6-channel amplifier with a total output of 180 watts

2 USB-C ports in both the front and rear

DAB Digital radio

Exterior Body Features

High gloss window surrounds

Inlay and front air inlets in matt anthracite chrome

Front door sill trims with aluminium inlays, illuminated with 'S' logo

S line bumpers in contrasting Volcano grey metallic paint finish

Rear honeycombe grille in matt black with inlay in matt anthracite chrome

Radiator grille in phantom black

Rear side wing doors

S Line badge on the front wings

Exterior Lights

Projection light for rear window

Coming/leaving home lighting function

High beam assist

Headlight cleaning system

LED rear lights pro incl. dynamic rear indicators and illuminated light strip with animated coming and leaving home function

LED headlights plus incl. digital DRL, dynamic coming and leaving home function with turning/all weather/motorway/manouevring and intersection lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Deluxe 3 zone electronic climate control

Interior Features

3 spoke leather steering wheel with multi-function buttons with touch control, flattened on top and bottom, with S badging and contrast stitching

Headlining in black cloth

Manual steering column adjustment

Comfort centre armrest

Softwrap in leatherette

Steering wheel grips in perforated leather and shift paddles

Interior trim in aluminium look

Stainless steel pedals and footrest

Luggage compartment lid, electrically opening and closing

Packs

Ambient lighting package plus - Q5

Storage and luggage compartment pack - Q5

Safety

Rear seat occupant reminder

3x3 point rear seatbelts

First aid kit with warning triangle and high visibility vests

Acoustic vehicle alerting system

Electric child safety locks

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Driver and front passenger airbag with passenger airbag deactivation

Front side airbags with head airbag system and front interaction airbag

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

40:20:40 split folding rear seat bench with centre armrest and cup holders

Front seats with manual adjustment for position and 4-way electric lumbar support

i-Size child seat mounting on the front passenger side and i-Size and top tether on the outer rear seats

3 rear head restraints

Single front passenger seat

Heated front seats

Front sport seats with integrated head reastrains

Security

Anti theft alarm

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Remote control key with SAFELOCK and keyless go

Towing

Towbar preparation

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 165

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 168

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 164

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 4

Fuel Delivery: COMMON RAIL

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

CC: 1968

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 44.8

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 44.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 6.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 6.4

General

AdBlue: No

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Badge Power: 204

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 39E

Special Edition: 0

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Coin Series: S Line

Coin Description: TDI Quattro

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 40.8

Engine Power - BHP: 204

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Top Speed: 140

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.4

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 265

Engine Torque - NM: 400

Engine Power - KW: 150

Engine Power - RPM: 3800

Engine Torque - RPM: 1750

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Wheel Style: 5 ARM

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Rear: 255/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 255/45 R20

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4717

Wheelbase: 2828

Width (including mirrors): 2155

Height (including roof rails): 1656

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2595

Minimum Kerbweight: 1970

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 65

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2400

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 625

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.8

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1415

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 515

No. of Seats: 5

Chassis/Suspension

Adaptive air suspension

Embellishment Trims

Cardamom beige seat stitching

Exterior Body Features

Pearl effect paint

Full body paint finish

Metallic paint

Panoramic sunroof

Aluminium roof rails

Special metallic paint

Interior Features

Cloth upholstery

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Grenadine red

Metallic - District green

Metallic - Navarra blue

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Volcano grey

Metallic - Ultra blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arkona white

Paint - Special

Special metallic - Sakhir gold

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Towing

Towbar (folding)

Trim - Cloth

Cascade cloth - Anthracite black with diamond stitching and S embossed logo

Trim - Part Leather

Twin leather with S embossed logo - Black

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 twin spoke black metallic, gloss turned finish Audi Sport alloy wheels

20" 5 twin spoke twist, silk matt grey, gloss turned finish Audi Sport alloy wheels