Facelifted Audi Q5 and new Q5 Sportback launch in SA

Those who seek the roominess and ride height of an SUV combined with the sex appeal of a coupé are almost spoilt for choice in this relatively new market segment, so it was only a matter of time until Audi would bestow its Q5 with its super-coupé Sportback suit to join the other thoroughbred-racehorse Q-models in the Ingolstadt stables.

Styling

Sportback models (above) have Olympian curves for days while the more practical, ‘regular’ Q5 (below) is slightly less noticeable, albeit a smidge more practical. 

The Q5’s Singleframe grille is wider and shallower, while the air intakes are higher and structured by trapezoidal inserts. The light signature of the LED DRLs is different too. The rear end features a new trim element between the light clusters and a new diffuser insert with a horizontal fin.

Two new trim lines, namely Advanced and S line, have been added; Advanced models can be differentiated by the chromed vertical ribs in the Singlefame grille, while the S line model’s grille sports a honeycomb structure. A chrome strip frames the rear diffuser. Both these trims come with the high-gloss black styling package as standard.

Sportback models (see below) look fashionably feisty with added exterior features to justify a price premium of almost R100k. The Q5 Sportback is a mere 7 mm longer than the Q5, while they’re both 1.66 metres tall, and 1.89 m wide. You can specify Matrix LED headlights as well as OLED rear lights with an animated signature that adapts to the different driving modes on offer.

Just like the Q5, the Q5 Sportback offers Advanced and S line exterior trims, with slightly different Singleframe grille styling elements, side air inlets and rear bumper designs.

Interior

The dashboard layout is a clean and uncluttered affair, not very exciting visually, but highly ergonomic and the finishes feel premium. The S line interior package offers a multitude of colours and upholstery materials to choose from (the interior image above belongs to my non-Sportback S line test model), while each Q5 is fitted with the contour and ambient package as standard.

The upgraded MIB3 MMI infotainment system touchscreen is said to be up to 10 times faster and the haptic feedback offers a satisfying click with every touch. The navigation system has more features but it’s a little finicky -  trying to amend my pre-programmed route to avoid traffic hotspots was rather complex. In the end, we opted for live traffic updates instead. You can connect wirelessly to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and use your Satnav app of choice as well.

With regard to space, the party trick of the Q5 Sportback is that rear passenger headroom is not impacted negatively by its athletic design; and the boot is not much smaller than its non-Sportback sibling. The Q5 Sportback’s boot swallows 510 litres while the Q5 (see image below) offers 550 litres with all seats upright.

There is an astounding amount of room on the second row of the Q5, especially for the passenger in the middle, and in the boot.

The Drive

My Q5 test model was the entry-level (four-cylinder) 2.0-litre diesel (or 40 TDI quattro) in a trendy colour that resembles a metallic military green. 140kW of power with 400 Nm of torque drives the front wheels via a seven-speed S Tronic gearbox under normal driving conditions, but the moment the all-wheel drive is required, two clutches will instantly activate the rear axle. The diesel is no scud missile, but what you lose in linear 0-100 km/h acceleration you gain at the pumps. Driving hurriedly in Dynamic mode saw my consumption go no higher than 7.3 litres per 100 km. The non-Sportback model is 0.2 seconds faster (from 0-100 km/h) than the 40TDI quattro Sportback, and tops out at 218km/h, while the Sportback reaches its limit at 220 km/h. 

My test model was fitted with adaptive air suspension, an optional extra, which gave the Q5 an almost supernatural ability to float over dirt and gravel. It can also adjust the ride height when needed. When you’re driving fast, it will lower the car for better aerodynamics and increased stability, for example. Should you venture off the beaten track, ride height can be increased by almost 5 cm. Need to load something heavy into the spacious boot? The rear body can also be lowered by 5.5 cm. (Sport suspension is standard if you don’t want to spend more money on extras.) A power tailgate is a standard feature, and swinging your foot underneath the sensor will open as well as close the boot lid for you.

State-of-the-art driving assistants such as adaptive cruise control with active lane assist are available as well, and more comprehensive packages can be specified for a higher level of semi-autonomy. Our Q5 40TDI was equipped with the City Assistance Plus package which also included park assist and a 360-degree camera along with a lane-change warning, exit warning, and rear-cross traffic assist. It’s an absolute cinch to activate and to use, so when the R43 turned into a truck-laden nightmare, I relaxed while Q5 took care of most of the hard work.

The Q5 Sportback 45TFSI quattro is a little quicker off the starting line to reach 100 km/h in only 6.3 seconds (vs. the diesel’s 8.1 seconds) and produces 183kW and 370 Nm. Thanks to a 12V mild-hybrid system, the 2.0TFSI is said to be more efficient than before, due in part to the belt-driven starter-alternator that recovers energy when decelerating and allows for coasting when the engine isn’t running. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.0 litres per 100 km in a perfect world, but since I didn’t drive this model, I am guessing around 10 litres per 100 km is probably the going rate. 

The desirable Audi SQ5

The Audi SQ5 Sportback TFSI was also present at the launch event, but to drive this model we had to put a hand in a bag to hopefully draw this set of keys, but Lady Luck wasn’t on my side on this particular day. Pity, because I would have enjoyed the SQ5’s 3.0-litre engine, which produces 260 kW and 500 Nm, and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds via an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The SQ5 gets adaptive air suspension as standard, which regulates the damping and makes adjustments depending on the car’s load, speed, and the road surface below, just like I had as an extra in my diesel Q5.

The SQ5 is visually differentiated from the rest of the Qs by large octagonal honeycombs (connected by filigree bars in the Singleframe grille), standard Matrix LED headlights, and in the rear, a matte aluminium bracket with four chrome-plated, oval tailpipes underneath it.

The SQ5 interior can be specified in black or dark grey and you can choose from three upholstery options for the sports seats. Features such as massaging and ventilation for the front seats are available at extra cost. Cabin Inlays are brushed aluminium, but two carbon designs or piano finishes are optionally available.

Verdict

The spacious Q5 is German practicality at its finest. The Sportback version looks absolutely gorgeous in the metal, but the usual Q5 is not to be sneezed at either, and at almost an R100k less, the slightly reduced sex appeal is a sacrifice I would be willing to make. I should also add that my District Green Audi Q5 40TDI 140kW quattro S line S tronic had R343 800 worth of options fitted, so it's going to be exceedingly hard to keep those boxes unticked, whichever model you pick. 

In the same breath, for the select few that regard R100k as pocket change, the choice is obvious.

Model line-up and pricing

Q5 40 TDI quattro – R852 000

Q5 40 TDI quattro Advanced – R871 000

Q5 40 TDI quattro S Line – R897 000

Q5 40 TFSI quattro S Line – R947 000

SQ5 TFSI quattro – R1 208 000

Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro Advanced – R960 000

Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S Line – R1 000 000

Q5 Sportback 40TFSI quattro S Line – R1 050 000

SQ5 Sportback TFSI quattro – R1 355 000