- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T/2kW, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
183kW, 370Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line review
We're all familiar with the edict of being onto a good thing and sticking to it, and there's little doubt Audi has been doing exactly that with the broadly successful Q5 - a strong performer in the luxury medium SUV segment. Now there's a Sportback body style available, and at launch, Trent Nikolic tests the 45 TFSI Quattro variant.
- Cabin execution and insulation are excellent
- On-road manners are fantastic
- Quattro system again a highlight
- Options pricing adds up quickly
- Sportback roof line eats into second-row headspace
- Three-year warranty due for an improvement
Introduction
Audi's Q5 has been a mainstay in the luxury medium SUV segment for more than a decade, and it's fair to say it's been one of the most popular for some time too. Competition like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC ensures the segment is a strong one, with the public keen for new models, new body styles, and even more in the way of standard equipment.
That's where the 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback slots in – an attractive, swooping coupe-style body line for an already popular SUV. It will go head-to-head (for the first time for Audi in this segment) with the X4 and GLC Coupe. Traditional rivals, then, with a thoroughly modern body style. On the subject of style, it's hard to argue that buyers looking at coupe-style SUVs aren't primarily shopping with style in mind, so it will be interesting to see where the sales figures land.
At launch, we're testing the Q5 45 TFSI Quattro S Line variant, with the starting price a healthy $86,300 before on-road costs. Add some tasty options like we've listed below, and that price rolls out to $99,080 before on-road costs without any difficulty. There are very few negatives in regard to the Q5 Sportback, but one of them would be the cost of options. Here, we've seen a hefty 14.8 per cent added to the starting price in fairly short order.
That said, though, Aussies love speccing cars up and trending to the more expensive model, so take my theory on options pricing with a grain of salt perhaps. Also key is the reality that a standard Q5 Sportback, without one option, hardly feels like it's missing anything.
If you prefer a diesel, $77,000 gets you into the 40 TDI S Line, and there is also an SQ5 Sportback that sits above the model we've tested here. BMW's X4 range starts from mid-$80K, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio from mid-$60K, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe from just over 100 grand, so there's plenty to slice and dice in relation to how far your budget will stretch.
Standard equipment for the 45 TFSI as tested here includes 20-inch rims, an S Line exterior styling package, Audi Matrix LED headlights and tail-lights, there's a panoramic sunroof, and the most enticing feature, the raked rear roof line. It's undoubtedly attractive out on the road, so that's a positive start as soon as you walk up to the new Q5 Sportback. Key to any Audi, though, is the driving, and we have a feeling the 45 TFSI might be something of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Key details | 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line |
Price (MSRP) | $86,300 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Ultra Blue Metallic |
Options | Climate-control cupholder – $390 21-inch wheels – $1400 Metallic paint – $1990 Adaptive suspension – $4000 Technik package (privacy tint, head-up display, 19-speaker audio, LED matrix headlights) – $5000 |
Price as tested | $99,080 plus on-road costs |
Rivals | BMW X4 | Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe | Alfa Romeo Stelvio |
Inside
Audi has, for some time now, executed a high quality, insulated and comfortable cabin, and the Q5 Sportback's is yet another. Close the hefty door and it's quiet inside, no matter what sort of road surface you're on. Our launch drive took in some coarse-chip highway, speeds up to 110km/h and the usual city fare, and there's never so much as a ruffled feather inside the cabin.
While the rear roof line is heavily sloped compared to the regular Q5, the panoramic sunroof delivers a sense of light and airiness to the cabin, even from the second row, so longer road trips will be comfortable for all concerned.
The front sport seats are heated and nicely sculpted too, and we found them to remain comfortable even after a few hours on the road. They are firm without being board-like in other words. Electric seat adjustment, quality nappa leather material, and attention to detail make for a cabin that looks as attractive as it is comfortable.
There's an electric tailgate with gesture control that doesn't take half a day to raise and lower – excellent. While this segment is rarely defined by the room it offers in the second row and into the boot (510L), the Q5 Sportback can play the role of family SUV. So long as your teenage kids aren't heading for a pro career in the NBA or WNBA, and you're not on the road for extended periods. Around town, no sweat.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 510L seats up / 1480L seats folded |
Length | 4689mm |
Width | 1893mm |
Height | 1660mm |
Wheelbase | 2819mm |
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Sportback gets Audi Connect Plus, including Virtual Cockpit, DAB+ radio, Android Auto and (wireless) Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, and a 10-speaker, 180-watt audio system. Our tester has the upgraded 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, as part of the Technik package, which kicks things up a notch further.
The 10.1-inch touchscreen is central to controlling the system and it worked faultlessly for us on test. MMI Navigation Plus is standard, and as we've come to expect from Audi, the switchgear is neatly laid out and easy to understand. There's plenty to get familiar with in terms of customisation options for the Q5 itself and the systems that control it, but it's all pretty easy to work out.
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We tested Bluetooth as well and it worked without interference. We'd prefer a direct smartphone connection, of course, as most of you would now too, but Bluetooth is a reliable option if you prefer. The proprietary satellite navigation worked well for us on test also.
Safety and Technology
The Q5 Sportback gets the carryover five-star ANCAP rating from the regular Q5 that was tested back in 2017. There's plenty of standard safety equipment, as befits both the Audi badge and the segment expectations. Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel-drive system is an added benefit.
Pre Sense City with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection is standard, there's also Pre Sense front and rear, lane-change warning with active lane assist, collision avoidance assist and cross-traffic assist rear, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, distance indicator, traffic jam assist and speed limiter, auto headlights and wipers, Audi Parking System Plus semi-automated self-parking, and 360-degree cameras.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2017) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
Value for Money
Audi's three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty could be improved – out to five years – to better compete with the effective industry standard. Service intervals every 12 months or 15,000km are par for the course in this segment, though. Servicing will cost $1710 for the first three years, or $2720 over the first five, again right about where the competition sits.
Real-world fuel use was decent too. Against a claim of 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle, our tester used 9.4L/100km, with more around-town running than highway use during our test.
As you can see by the pricing breakdown of our test example, options can add to the bottom line quickly. What starts in the mid-$80K range very easily nudges $100K with some choice options. That said, though, an effective 'base' 45 TFSI Sportback is still a well-equipped SUV.
At a glance | 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line |
Warranty | Three years / unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months / 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $1710 (3 years) | $2720 (5 years) |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.0L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.4L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane petrol |
Fuel tank size | 73L |
Driving
At launch, we found the ride as expected. That is, beautifully composed and quiet, delivering an insulated cabin and almost no tyre or wind noise at highway speed. That latter point is one to note for those of you heading on road trips regularly. There's no wind drone or tyre roar at 110km/h.
On poor road surfaces, the Q5 absorbs the hit as if it's carved from stone, and then settles back to work quickly, managing to iron out all but the sharpest ruts effortlessly. A nasty mid-corner bump can unsettle it a little at speed, of course, but you need to be pushing on to find that line.
Visibility is excellent from the driver's seat, but you can get the seat down low into the cabin for a sportier driving position, if that's what you prefer, befitting the sporting nature of the 45 TFSI. It's hard to argue that this is, in fact, the smart-money buy in the Q5 range. Its 183kW and 370Nm out of a punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder are formidable outputs anywhere but a racetrack. Peak torque is available from 1600rpm, making light work of that faint gap you see at crawling speed in the city.
From a standstill, the Q5 will get cranking easily, due in part to the excellence of the seven-speed, dual-clutch auto. The gear ratios are so well matched to the way the engine works that you barely feel a hint of a shift in any drive mode at any speed. This is another excellent dual-clutch execution by Audi, and one that is just as keen to be worked hard as it is to cruise around town.
If you do feel like having a dig, the 45 TFSI rewards beyond what the expectation will be for most buyers. With Quattro AWD doing its thing beneath an intrinsically high-quality chassis, there's little to concern yourself with behind the wheel aside from pointing and shooting. The steering is meaty and about as good as an AWD system can offer, with the right amount of precision at speed. That precision is matched by light effort at lower speed.
Key details | 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro S Line |
Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
Power | 183kW @ 5000-6500rpm |
Torque | 370Nm @ 1600-4300rpm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 99.2kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1845kg |
Turning circle | 11.8m |
Conclusion
The reasons the Audi Q5 has for so long been a favourite in this segment remain. As we've long suspected, too, the 45 TFSI powertrain is quite possibly the smartest pick of the range also. This is quite simply a beautiful medium SUV to drive on any road, under any conditions. It's fun and capable, but user-friendly and comfortable too.
Whether you prefer the regular body shape or the Sportback is a matter of personal preference. For mine, I tend toward the regular body, but the Sportback is certainly a stylish alternative. Audi has been onto a good thing for quite some time with the Q5, and this midlife update makes incremental improvements to an already high-quality all-rounder.