Audi Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback

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.

2022 Audi Q5 Sportback

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.

2022 Audi Q5 Sportback interior

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

Audi SQ5 (Typ FY)

Now based on the second-generation Audi Q5, the all-new SQ5 shows that even a mildly high-performance crossover like this can be a lot more enjoyable to drive as a sportscar while maintaining its daily driver usage as a crossover. So, is the new model better than the previous one? Let's investigate.

2018 Audi SQ5

2018 Audi SQ5

Ever since the second-generation Audi Q5 crossover arrived on the scene several moments ago, I have strong belief that it's amazingly more affordable to buy than the Mercedes GLC, your auntie's next favorite luxury crossover, while it behaves pretty much like the GLC. In this new SQ5 though, this car wants a piece of that action with Mercedes-AMG's GLC43 by doing some similar stuff the GLC43 does in its spare time.

In comparison with the normal Q5, the SQ5 features a much mild and tangy exterior design which is as sharp as a soccer mom in a gym outfit, going out to do some MMAs with some sparring partners or even her next-door neighbor who brings them nothing but Danishes on the silver platter. On the inside, it still feels like a normal Q5. The five-seater capacity, the generous boot space, the MMI navigation plus with MMI all-in-touch, the Virtual Cockpit dashboard, it's all there to keep them waiting.

Time for something that is worth surprising because in the old SQ5, it has a 3.0 TDi engine with two turbochargers that produces 313HP of power and 650Nm of torque. In the new one though, in tune with the times, the diesel engine has been off to the great junkyard in the sky and in place, there is a new 3.0L V6 TFSi petrol engine that powers it, sacrificing torque for added power, 354PS of power and 500Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. With this powerplant along with its quattro permanent AWD, it does 0-100kph in 5.4 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph. It may sound quick for an SUV but it's less pulley compared to the previous SQ5 and it's slightly less fuel efficient as well, 8.3 l/100km compared to the old SQ5's 7.2L/100km. When compared to the similarly-sized Mercedes-AMG GLC43, the SQ5 will be getting left behind in the dust bowl in a red state and looks like now it's not the time to explain these two for the time being.

Because the latest Q5 utilizes the same new platform as the latest VW Tiguan, it's now more nimble and more durable compared to the last one, and for the SQ5, the quattro all-wheel drive and its sport-tuned dynamics makes it as lean and as sharp as an Audi S4 in every tangible way. It maybe great to use in any road condition and it can as addicting as a weekend at the arcade but understeering is very likely and even if you try to hard to get this round the corners, it's a distant struggle to get it right and with so much grip, have it your way because it can be very mild and menacing for a crossover like this.

In terms of overall enjoyment as a sportscar, the SQ5 is a royal pain in the arms because it has so much grip in it but as a everyday car, the SQ5 is not half bad, especially when it comes with the same driver assistance tech as the standard Q5.

Should you buy it? The new Audi SQ5 starts at 65,400 Euros, which is four grand more than the more superior Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and for such pricing, it's no doubt that this new SQ5 won't be cutting against its rival to the teeth but it's a fair start. While the transition from diesel to petrol is quite a surprising feat because Audi's had enough of the diesels following scandals that ruined its reputation, how much more does the SQ5 lose apart from its torque? No one knows but explanations are a lot harder than sampling this new model that despite its transition, it never lost some of its impish character from its predecessor and while the GLC43 can beat it in the game of "top trumps", the SQ5 can cheek squeak its way through the end of a week like MMAs in a pajama party. See if I care about it.

Photo: AUDI AG

Audi S3 Typ 8V and SQ5

Tonight, or today if you're reading this on the day, or this morning if you woke up, let's talk about the latest A3. Last year, I checked out the all new Audi A3 in the summer and I told that the all new model does look like an enlarged Audi A1 but because of its new MQB platform developed by Volkswagen, it's now lighter, more rigid, and it gets even more emotional in terms of performance and handling. Well, not much. One psychopath per review though. VW Group cars with MQB platform seems to be bringing the future to us but sometimes, it's not quite a dignity if you asked me. Anyway, there's a hotter version of the new A3 and what can I say?

2014 Audi S3

Turn left! No! Turn right! No! Turn left! Turn left! Ahhh!!! Now what an athletic hatchback indeed! Street athlete! It's like it went to the Ironman race! Swimming, cycling, and running! Now that's when blokes get dirty! Hoo-hoo!!

So, welcome, everyone, to the all new S3, Audi's street athlete for the road, redefined. First of all, what Audi did is to take a normal Typ 8V A3, make it more athletic, and then pump up with the long-stroke 2.0 TFSi engine that produces 300HP of power. That's about 20HP less powerful than its rival, the BMW M135i and in a game of catch up, the new S3 is nowhere near as good as the M135i in the corners. Don't think of it as Bruce Forsyth being a Die Hard hero or being inside The Shining. This is more than that. It's like some young woman in her stripey tank top trying to attack you with a P90 machine gun in your head and shoulders. Anyway, while this model's heavier than the BMW M135i, the quattro all wheel drive system really does not scare the driver as much. It's much more grippy but it's a much more stressful to drive.

Pricing? Let's have a look...38,900 Euros for the one with the manual transmission but that car will cost you 1,900 Euros more if a 7-speed double clutch transmission is added. Come to think of it that despite the double clutch transmission added, I would say that it's going to be rubbish, frankly. So, it may look like a half-decent hot hatch but sadly it doesn't feel like a half-decent hot hatchback.

Thing is though, the all new S3 is not the only Audi that doesn't understand my language and confuses me a lot, perhaps, there's another one that is much more confusing than the new S3...

2013 Audi SQ5

It may look like the recently facelifted Audi Q5 but this is, by far out, the most confusing Audi I have ever felt in my life. This is the new SQ5 and that name should have been called the Q5 S like the TT-S but question is...why SQ5? While that question is a bit confusing as of now, the engine that powers it is even more confusing than ever...

It has a 3.0 TDi engine with two turbochargers that produces 313HP of power and 650Nm of torque. I mean yes, this is the first ever Audi S model to have a diesel engine but that only works in European countries because overseas version may get a petrol variant, which sounds lovely but...AHHHH!!!!! WHAT AM I THINKING?!!!!

You know what? Never mind about that but still, Audi said that the zero to hundred kilo sprint takes about 5.1 seconds while fuel consumption combined is about 7.2L/100km. To differentiate the SQ5 from the normal Q5, this model has the platinum gray single-frame radiator grille with its galvanized dual struts in aluminum look, the roof spoiler and modified bumpers, meaning that the crossover that was once a crossover your posh mom would use for grocery shopping, has now turned into a naughty rascal. Imagine your mom driving one of these and when other mommies saw this ride, they would think that you're an inappropriate mother who was raising a spoiled brat for years.

In essence then, both the all new S3 and the all new SQ5 were not in my books because well I was gonna say horrid but such word is not used on such cars. Guess I should better make up a new word that is neither bad, nor good to describe what these two S-model Audis were but in the meantime, these two cars are open for discussion but because I'm ending this discussion right now, guess you'll gonna have to discuss about this car somewhere else.

Photo: AUDI AG