With the release of the facelifted Audi Q5 (Typ FY), it didn't take long before Audi unveiled its newest addition to the lineup, something that hasn't been done since the unveiling of the second-generation Q5 a few years ago. Say hello to the Sportback version of the second-generation Audi Q5.
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| 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback |
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| 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback |
The first-ever Audi Q5 Sportback promises to behave just like its regular equivalent despite its sloping roofline and the pricing that is 4,500 Euros more than the standard Q5, 51,950 Euros vs. 47,450 Euros plus additional costs. So, what to expect in the coupe version of the Q5?
At first glance, it looks just like the Q5, which gained a minor change last year, but because this is the coupe version, the Sportback is 15mm longer and 5mm lower, while the total width and the wheelbase remained the same.
Whichever you look at it, you have to be an egalitarian to judge the way the Q5 Sportback looks, especially the sporty version known as the SQ5 Sportback, which features the same mix of aftershave smell and sweat from its standard SQ5 while donning the coupe look and the price that is 3,050 Euros more than the standard SQ5.
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| 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback interior |
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| 2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback interior |
The interior works just like the Q5, especially the numerous toys to play on the driver's side except for the implementation of the Amazon Alexa feature that is going to be an overall nuisance for those in its sweet spot. It even seats up to five people as well, but because this is the coupe version, the boot space has been cut by 10L and the high loading capacity has been dropped by 40L as well, but despite being less spacious than the normal Q5, it's still got plenty of room for almost everything, especially the deliveries you're working on if you're a courier boy working from a swanky company.
Under the hood, the Q5 Sportback features almost the same choice of powerplants as the standard version, ranging from petrol, diesel, and a plug-in hybrid. The latter features a 2.0L TFSi engine with an electric motor and a Li-ion battery bolted to it. It produces a total power output of 367PS of power and 500Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DSG, it goes from 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 239kph. Fuel consumption is a combined 1.5L/100km based on WLTP standards.
The SQ5, meanwhile, features a 3.0L TDI engine with a 48v mild hybrid system that produces up to 341PS of power and 700Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed AT, it accelerates from 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds, which is faster than the normal Q5 PHEV variant and has an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. I know that most Europeans hate diesel in this new normal but it doesn't hurt driving the SQ5 Sportback in terms of performance.
Because it's lower than the standard Q5, the Sportback version tends to be slightly more grippy than the standard Q5, and looks like Audi's not kidding with it. It's not what you called fun but it feels so generous to drive as most Audis should and with the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, it feels like it's ready to take on almost everything. It even comes with an adaptive air suspension for more ground clearance on dirt.
In the SQ5, meanwhile, its sport-tuned dynamics tell a different story but it is still as mild to drive as most Audis should.
Of course, like today's crossovers, the Q5 Sportback comes with numerous driver-assist systems ranging from adaptive cruise assist, predictive efficiency assist, and the Audi pre sense city system, among many others.
The Sportback version of the facelifted Audi Q5 is proof that you can't stop the rise of coupe crossovers because, in the "new normal", crossover utility vehicles are treated like superhero movies and they sell big-time. The Q5 Sportback is one of them and despite being less spacious than the standard Q5, it still wouldn't bother to be bought by anyone who wants a coupe crossover for a change. This is what the new normal feels like.
Photo: Audi AG
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