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

Acoustic glass for front door windows

Rear and side windows with heat insulating glass

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Red brake calipers

Hill hold assist

Front emergency brake assist

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

S adaptive air suspension

Communication

Audi smartphone interface

Audi connect emergency call and service

Audi application store

Driver Aids

Power assisted steering

Reversing camera

Audi drive select

Top view camera

Camera based traffic sign recognition

Advanced driver attention alert

Park assist plus

Lane departure warning with emergency assist

Swerve assist and turn assist

Fatigue monitor

Lane change assistant with exit warning system, rear cross traffic alert and rear turn assist

Traffic sign based speed limiter

Audi digital key

Adaptive cruise assist plus with steering intervention

Parking system plus with 360 display

Front cross traffic intersection assist

Driver Convenience

Garage door opener

Driver Information

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

Audi virtual cockpit plus with 11.9" OLED colour display

MMI 10.9" front passenger touch display

Driving Mirrors

Black door mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Memory function for door mirrors

Electrically adjustable heated and folding + automatically dimming exterior mirrors

Logo projection light in exterior mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Black dashboard with contrast stitching

Upper and lower interior elements in dinamica microfiber

Carbon micro twill structure inlay

Steel grey seat stitching

Entertainment

DAB Digital radio

Smartphone compartment with wireless charging

2 USB-C ports in both the front and rear

Exterior Body Features

Black roof rails

Rear side wing doors

Contrast bumpers in mythos black metallic paint finish

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

Red S rhombus badging with 'S' lettering on rear

Exhaust tailpipes in dark chrome

Radiator grille in phantom black

Inlay and front air inlets in matt anthracite chrome

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

S exterior styling

High gloss window surrounds

Exterior Lights

High beam assist

Coming/leaving home lighting function

Headlight cleaning system

Matrix LED headlights

Digital OLED tail lights including communication light

Projection light for rear window

Active digital light signatures - Six additional combinations of active daytime running light signature

Entry LED with red and white rhombus S logo projection

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Deluxe 3 zone electronic climate control

Interior Features

Heated steering wheel

Comfort centre armrest

Electric steering wheel adjustment

Stainless steel pedals and footrest

Luggage compartment lid, electrically opening and closing

Steering wheel grips in perforated leather and shift paddles

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

Interior trim in aluminium look

Perforated fine nappa leather with diamond stitching incl. ventilation and massage function for front seats

Softwrap in Dinamica

Packs

Ambient lighting package plus - Q5

Sound and Vision pack - Q5

Storage and luggage compartment pack - Q5

Black styling package plus - Q5

Vanadium pack - Q5

Safety

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Acoustic vehicle alerting system

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Driver and front passenger airbag with passenger airbag deactivation

Front side airbags with head airbag system and front interaction airbag

Convenience key with safelock

Proactive passenger protection system for front, sides and rear

Electric child safety locks

First aid kit with warning triangle and high visibility vests

Side airbags in front and rear with head airbag system and front interaction airbag

Occupant detection in rear seat area

Seats

Heated front seats

Heated outer rear seats

Front seat ventilation

3 rear head restraints

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for driver's side

Single front passenger seat

Front sport seats with integrated head reastrains

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

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

Pneumatically adjustable lumbar support with massage function for front seats

Security

Anti theft alarm

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Remote control key with SAFELOCK and keyless go

Towing

Towbar preparation

Wheels - Alloy

21" 5 arm slit black metallic, gloss turned finish Audi Sport alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 189

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 189

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 189

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders: 6

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 7 SPEED

CC: 2995

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 34

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 34

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 34

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 8.3

General

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Badge Power: 367

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 47E

Special Edition: No

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Coin Series: SQ5 Launch Edition

Coin Description: TFSI Quattro

Performance

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - BHP: 367

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - MKG: 56.1

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.5

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 406

Engine Torque - NM: 550

Engine Power - KW: 270

Engine Torque - RPM: 1700

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Wheel Style: 5 ARM SPLIT

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R21

Tyre Size Front: 255/40 R21

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4717

Wheelbase: 2828

Width (including mirrors): 2155

Height (including roof rails): 1656

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2610

Minimum Kerbweight: 2040

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 65

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2400

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 570

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.8

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1388

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 470

No. of Seats: 5

Exterior Body Features

Pearl effect paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Volcano grey

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Mythos black

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Trim - Leather

Perforated fine nappa leather with diamond stitching - Arras red