► Audi’s Q5 Sportback driven
► No less practical than SUV version
► Feels solid, if unexciting
Did you know that the Audi Q5 Sportback is actually the more popular model in Europe, compared to the SUV version? Quite considerably more popular, in fact.
So, is there any special sauce in the Sportback model? Or is there just something in the water on the Continent?
At a glance
Pros: Responsive diesel, no difference in rear space, well equipped
Cons: We’ve only driven it on air suspension, thrashy petrol, why pay more?
What’s new?
This latest generation of Q5 is now Audi’s third, and it’s a ground-up redo running on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture.
It’s the same one that is used on the Audi A5 and A6 and shares close relations with the Audi/Porsche-developed Premium Platform Electric that powers the A6 e-Tron, Q6 e-Tron and Porsche’s electric Macan. As well as a new structure, that means new engines and fresh technology – including an all-new interior design and glut of fresh software.
And, while the Sportback is much more popular in Continental Europe, the UK and North America still prefers the SUV.
What are the specs?
The same as the standard Q5 SUV: i.e. a singular petrol and diesel option. Both are 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinders, both generate 201bhp and both are connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to all four wheels. Both also feature Audi’s MHEV Plus system that’s designed to offer around 20bhp of e-boost and enable engine-off coasting and low-speed driving when you’re in traffic.
The range starts at Sport, rises to S line and tops out at Edition 1. Sport is impressively well equipped already, with 19-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, heated electric front seats, three-zone climate control, 360-degree parking assistance, adaptive cruise, ambient lighting and that enormous infotainment system all thrown in. Audi UK knows the score, though, and unsurprisingly predicts the lion’s share of sales will go to the sportier-looking S line model, with Edition 1 having all the spangliest kit on it – including a largely pointless passenger display.
Options list boxes to potentially tick, besides colours, include things like a panoramic glass roof, some interior trim alternatives and a deployable towbar – as well as the Sound and Vision pack that throws in a head-up display, Bang & Olfusen audio and speedier chargers.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s all perfectly reasonable and dependable, if not all that interesting. The steering has some reasonable weight and fluidity to it, the driving position is adjustable and offers decent visibility and many of the pedal weights are well balanced.
The MHEV Plus system works well here – perhaps better than it has done in cars like the A5 – enabling some extra boost when you need it and encouraging better fuel economy. The brake pedal feels rather firm and alert, which took a little while to get used to but becomes fluid and welcome very quickly – particularly when so many cars have soggy brake pedals when they need to balance physical braking with energy regeneration.
And, interestingly, the better engine of the two is arguably the diesel. While the petrol version is, on paper, a smidge faster and not that far off in fuel economy, it feels a little more indecisive when talking to the transmission and sounds thrashy and strained when revved hard. The diesel, meanwhile, is eminently flexible; shifts feel speedier (in Balanced mode, not Dynamic) and that lump of extra torque helps it feel more alert more of the time compared to the petrol, while that din that usually accompanies a diesel product felt better damped.
Annoyingly, all of the cars we drove at the launch event were on air suspension – a £1700-ish option for Q5 models, but standard on the hot SQ5. It’s annoying as we can’t tell you what the stock suspension is like – which most people will buy. But that’s also annoying, as the air springs are really well balanced. There isn’t much of the lolloping and floatiness you sometimes get from air springs over large undulations, and it manages to damp 21-inch wheels well.
What’s the interior like?
The Q5 Sportback has the same interior design architecture with the A5 and A6, as well as the Q6 e-Tron SUV. That includes quirks and oddities like a weirdly-shaped steering wheel with fiddly haptic buttons, an enormous panel that houses the driver’s instruments and Android-based central infotainment display – as well as active ambient lighting that includes strokes of green light when the indicators are on.
Like the other cars running the same software, the infotainment can feel quite menu-heavy. It’s also a bit of a shame that the ability to customise your view on the ‘virtual cockpit’ instruments has been drastically pared back compared to older Audis. And, as much as it really is a gimmick, you can install apps onto the passenger display like a karaoke app or games to entertain the kids.
When driving the A5, I cried out for the return of the bright and tactile brushed metal trim from Audis of old. For the Q5, you can spec some nicer trim pieces on certain variant, including one that looks like brushed aluminium. Shame the ‘aluminium’ isn’t real.
In the second row, tall adults can sit behind tall adults perfectly well, though the door opening feels a little small and it’s a little gloomy if you don’t spec the glass roof. Like the last Q5, you can recline your seat but for this generation, you can slide the seat bench to enable more legroom or more boot space. Sitting back to back between this and the SUV, the Sportback happily offers no real difference in headroom or legroom, too – despite the much more rakish roofline.
Boot space for the Sportback clocks in at 515 litres – an imperceptible five litres smaller than the SUV – when measured from boot floor to parcel shelf. The difference is when you take the shelf out; naturally it’ll be harder to transport your monthly washing machine delivery with this. Under the parcel shelf of the combustion models we’ve driven, there’s a handy stowage space for your parcel shelf – though we suspect that won’t be available for the plug-in hybrid models given that’s usually where the battery pack is placed.
Before you buy
Audi’s Q5 Sportback feels well placed compared to the competition. BMW doesn’t currently sell an X4 (at the time of writing) and the Mercedes GLC Coupe is a chunk of dosh more than the Audi is. As we’ve mentioned, there isn’t much penalty to speak of when it comes to boot space and rear headroom compared to the SUV. But when you can have the SUV for a few grand less – why bother?
Verdict: Audi Q5 Sportback
Audi’s Quasimodo5 (that’s what the Q stands for, right?) is perfectly good. It handles neatly, feels well built and will be a painless family car for you and yours. Is it interesting? Not really, but it does plenty of stuff plenty good enough. We’d still buy an SUV or the Sportback, mind.
Specs are for an Audi Q5 Sportback S Line TDI quattro S Tronic