2022 Audi Q5 Sportback review

Audi Sportback models are nothing new. The German carmaker set that ball rolling with the A5 Sportback in 2010, followed by the A7 version a year later. But the Ingolstadt took a while to embrace the increasingly popular coupe-SUV concept that took off with the BMW X6 back in 2007.

But it has since made up for lost time, starting with the big Q8 in 2018 and Sportback versions of the E-Tron and Q3 in 2020, which are now joined by swept-back version of one of its most popular models in Australia, the Q5 medium SUV.

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How does the Audi Q5 Sportback differ to the Q5 SUV?

The Q5 Sportback comes with diesel 40 TDI, petrol 45 TFSI variants, plus the high-performance SQ5 that is the subject of a separate review.

It differs from the Q5 SUV with a revised front end featuring a single-frame grille similar to the Q3 Sportback, and raised DRLs flanked by bolder air inlets.

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The main difference occurs from the B-pillar back, where the sloping roofline slopes down seamlessly to a prominent rear spoiler that shadows the angled rear glass. To accommodate the revised roofline, the tail-light housing has been moved outward by 3.0cm.

"The only physical difference between the Q5 Sportback and Q5 SUV interiors is that you lose 16mm of headroom at the back."

The tailgate has two prominent horizontal lines – the lip below the window and a strip between the taillights, which are complemented by the diffuser that sits higher than in the regular Q5 to balance out the lower roofline.

Another difference is the lack of roof rails, which would take away from the sleeker look – they are available as an $800 extra.

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The Q5 Sportback 40 TDI and 45 TFSI S Line are priced from $77,700 and $86,300 respectively, which represent markups of about $16,000 over the Q5 SUV equivalents.

That extra coin brings S-Line exterior trim as standard and a bunch of other extras, which in the 40 TDI includes 360-degree parking camera with kerb view, powered/auto-dimming exterior mirrors, park assist, electric sports seats, aluminum inlays and black cloth headlining.

The 45 TFSI Sportback brings the same extras over the 45 TFSI Sport SUV plus Matrix LED headlights.

What is the Audi Q5 Sportback like to live with?

The Q5 40 TDI Sportback comes equipped with LED daytime running lights, OLED rear-lights, wireless phone charger, four USB ports, an eight-speaker sound system, three-zone climate control, 20-inch alloy rims and Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display.

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Then there’s Audi's excellent MMI Infotainment system controlled via a high-resolution 10.1-inch central screen linked via two simultaneous connections, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

It also features Audi Connect Plus navigation with online traffic, weather conditions, fuel prices, parking information, destination send-to-car and Google Maps. Also included is 'Hey Audi' voice control that's like Benz's 'Hey Mercedes' but doesn't handle as many functions and isn't anywhere as intuitive.

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As well as more power, opting for the Q5 45 TFSI Sportback over the 40 TDI sees you gain diamond-stitched Nappa leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a panoramic sunroof, 10-speaker audio, heated front seats, memory seats and mirrors, brushed matt aluminium inserts and reclining/sliding rear bench.

Of course, there are option packs to be got, including the Technik package that brings Matrix LED headlights, OLED rear lights, Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system, privacy glass and head-up display. This costs $4308 in the 40 TDI, and $5000 in the 45 TFSI due to the inclusion of animated rear-light graphics.

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This Tecknik package was included in both our test vehicles along with and some exterior garnishing such as premium paint to take the pricing up to $86,002 for the 40 TDI Sportback and $95,430 for the 45 TFSI Sportback.

The Q5 Sportback interior is much the same as the recently updated Q5 SUV and features a 10.1-inch central MMI infotainment screen that sits perfectly upright atop the dashboard, but manages to avoid sun glare.

The only physical difference between the Q5 Sportback and Q5 SUV interiors is that you lose 16mm of headroom at the back, though you’ll hardly need to crane your neck when you hop in. Legroom is a little tight, though 45 TFSI’s sliding and reclining rear seats, which can be operated individually with a 60:40 split, allow for a bit more room.

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Rear-seat passengers are well looked after in both variants with their own climate control settings, vents, 2x USB ports, a 12-volt socket and fold-down armrest with pop-up cupholders.

Boot space is a handy 520-litres, which is 30 litres less than the Q5 SUV. Folding the rear seats down allows you to pack 1480 litres of stuff, which is a 70-litre reduction over the SUV.

The boot is well equipped with tie-down hooks, a cargo net and a handy elastic strap on the left-hand side that allows you to secure things like bottles.

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As mentioned above, if you want to carry stuff on the roof you’ll need to specify roof rails on which to install roof racks.

Each Audi Q5 Sportback variant has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

The Audi Q5 Sportback is covered by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a little stingy these days, but there is a five-year fixed service plan available for $3140 that includes roadside assistance and access to the Audi Experience customer loyalty program.

What are the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI and 45 TFSI like to drive?

Let’s start with the entry-level turbo-diesel Q5 Sportback 40 TDI, which is most suited to anyone who often travels long distances.

Its 150kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder oil burner is coupled with a seven-speed ‘S Tronic’ dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to the quattro drivetrain, which drives all four wheels by default but, when appropriate, will only drive the front wheels to help reduce fuel consumption.

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It's also linked to a 12-volt mild-hybrid system that contributes to smoother running and provides coasting power for up to 40 seconds.

That smoothness is also audible – you can only really tell this is a diesel when it’s idling. It’s particularly quiet at cruising speed, though this is also due to the Q5’s excellent soundproofing that also significantly reduces road and wind noise, which makes for a very relaxing ride.

"The petrol engine works particularly well with the dual-clutch transmission and always seems to find the right gear regardless of which pedal you’re stepping on."

Despite a bit of lag when you put the foot down, particularly from a standing start, this is a reasonable punchy engine with all 400Nm of torque kicking in from just 1750rpm to send you on your way quite briskly from zero to 100km/h as quickly as 7.6 seconds to a top speed of 222km/h.

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Combined fuel consumption is 5.4L/100km, which falls below 5.0L/100km on open roads and brings a cruising range of up to 1250km, which is more than enough for the proverbial Melbourne to Sydney run.

The Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI features the same dual-clutch transmission, quattro drivetrain and mild-hybrid system as the diesel, but naturally feels a lot slipperier, particularly from a standing start.

Its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 183kW/370Nm, which is enough to pull the svelte-looking Q5 Sportback from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.3 seconds.

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The petrol engine works particularly well with the dual-clutch transmission and always seems to find the right gear regardless of which pedal you’re stepping on. The diesel on the other hand tends to not gear down enough when braking, meaning it sits on lower revs in a higher gear, which makes for a sluggish response when you need to accelerate again, such as when exiting a bend or negotiating an incline.

Whether you’re letting the transmission self-shift or using the paddled shifters, it will happily take acceleration to redline – 4700rpm in the 40 TDI or 7000rpm 45 TFSI – should you stomp on the right pedal.

The Q5 45 TFSI is clearly the more spirited of the two, but this naturally comes at a cost with an official combined fuel economy of 8.0L/100km – in real-world conditions I was averaging about 11.0L/100km.

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Both cars feel very similar dynamically, coming with the same steel-spring suspension and steering set up.

Adaptive air dampers are available as a $4000 option, but even with the standard steel springs, the Q5 feels like a big hatchback. Body-roll is well contained through sharp bends as is front-and-rear chassis compliance that combines with the quattro traction to handle bendy roads with confidence.

The steering feels direct but a little light, particularly in the diesel, though it does stiffen a little as you speed up.

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The steering and engine rev mapping can also be changed by selecting different ‘Drive Select’ driving modes such as Comfort and Dynamic, which alter the steering firmness and engine rev-mapping accordingly.

Ride comfort is good across a range of road surfaces, with the multi-link suspension doing well to soften the blows of larger potholes and bumps. This is helped by the 255/45/R20 rubber (Michelin Latitude Sport 3 in the 40 TDI and Pirelli Scorpions in the 45 TFSI) whose walls are deep enough to provide some decent cushioning.

What is the Audi Q5 like for safety?

The Q5 Sportback inherits the Q5 SUV’s five-star ANCAP safety rating and benefits from a range of active and passive safety technology, including eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention assist, rear-cross traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist.

The narrower rear-end end doesn’t hamper the rearview, even so, you’re well served when it comes to overcoming blind spots, with auto park assist, blind-spot monitoring and the exit warning system that helps prevent doorings by alerting the driver with visual and acoustic warnings when other vehicles or cyclists are approaching from behind.

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There is also a 360-degree parking monitor with kerb view, whose surround-view camera is camouflaged within the black bumper trim just below the Audi badge.

Up front, two long-range radar sensors are also discretely embedded in the side inlets, rather than on the grille and look like fog lamps – the fog lamps themselves are in the headlight assembly. The dual-radar system allows for greater accuracy in detecting a potential collision and for operating the adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function.

Curiously, adaptive cruise control is only available as standard in the 45 TFSI and SQ5 variants and not the 40 TDI that would benefit from this function most during long highway journeys at which it excels - it's available as a $1600 option.

The Verdict

Even with the additional cost over the Q5 SUV versions, which to be fair brings a bunch of extras, the Q5 Sportback should do pretty well in Australia as it provides a good compromise between the A5 sports sedan and Q5 SUV in terms of styling, driveability and practicality – which, after all, is the point if coupe SUVs.

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The 45 TFSI does this the best and, not surprisingly, will be the volume seller of the two, with Audi expecting it to account for 50 percent of Q5 Sportback sales when you include the SQ5 into the mix.

This makes sense, as it's the obvious sweet spot of the range in terms of pricing, equipment and performance.

That said, both of these variants ooze showroom appeal and offer an engaging but comfortable driving experience that makes you look for any reason to go for a drive.

Audi Q5 Sportback specifications