Although some had thought that swoopy SUVs would only be a passing trend, this niche market is here to stay. The new Audi Q5 Sportback will compete with the Mercedes GLC Coupe and the soon-to-be-canceled BMW X4. Only the standard 2025 Q5 is fitted with the coupe stick to give the luxury crossover a more streamlined design, but that is up for debate. There will be a hotter SQ5 performance derivative from day one.
Goodbye, Fake Exhaust Tips
It’s good to learn that the SQ5 no longer features false exhaust tips. Goodbye. As seen by the new S5, Audi has listened to your comments and is no longer adding awkward fake exhausts to its vehicles. Similar to the latter, the diesel that the previous generation model possessed in Europe has been discontinued in the new crossover in the spicier S variant. In the future, the gasoline-powered SQ5 Sportback will be offered all around the world.
Engine Options and Performance
Under the hood, It has a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged engine that produces 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) and 362 horsepower. It goes without saying that the new S5 variants are powered by the same mild hybrid six-cylinder engine. A pair of four-cylinder engines will suffice for the less expensive Q5 Sportback models:
- a 2.0-litre gas engine with 201 horsepower and 250 lb-ft (340 Nm) of torque.
- A 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) and 201 horsepower.
While the base gas engine has front-wheel drive as standard and Quattro as an option, the SQ5 and diesel only have Quattro. All three use a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission to transfer power to the wheels. Plug-in hybrids are among the several powertrains that Audi says will be available in the future. Whether the Q5/Q5 Sportback will eventually receive the RS treatment is uncertain.
Practicality
Like its predecessor, the Sportback is less useful than the model with a more traditional design. By folding the back seats, the new Q5 Sportback can hold up to 50 cubic feet (1,415 litres), according to Audi. That is 58 litres, or 2 cubic feet, less than the standard Q5. The steeply sloping roofline is the main cause of the luggage capacity being reduced. Since the roof and tailgate glass are lower, you are also unable to handle tall objects.
Design
The Sportback is an exact replica of the standard Q5, except for the rakish roofline culminating with a significantly modified rear. The interior remains the same, with the more expensive models boasting a triple-screen arrangement that includes a display just for the front passenger. The interior of both the Q5 and the new A5 is essentially the same.
Platform and Trends
The Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), an improvement over the previous MLB Evo, powers all of these vehicles. There won’t be another A5 Coupe and Convertible this time. Put the dismal sales of two-door cars to the blame. Given that the TT and R8 have long since been discontinued, Audi has decided to discontinue all of its coupes and convertibles due to low demand.
Pricing and Availability
It should come as no surprise that the Sportback costs a little extra. Starting at €54,800 in Germany, it costs €150 more than the standard Q5. You will pay €85,400 for the SQ5 Sportback, which is €2,500 more than the SQ5. Details and prices for the US will come. In the meantime, Audi will start taking orders in Europe in December.
