Brace yourselves, the SUV-coupe hybrid isn’t going anywhere. Audi’s latest addition to its line-up is the Q5 Sportback, a slinkier sibling to the regular Q5. Predictably, it takes everything Audi does well — sharp looks, plush interiors, and tech-laden features — and wraps it in a curvier shell. But as is often the case with these coupe-inspired SUVs, the style has its price.
Starting at £52,350 (Rs. 55.69 lakh), the Q5 Sportback costs a touch more than its traditional counterpart, with fewer cubic feet in the boot for your troubles.
At the outset, you will see the sleeker, more dynamic profile that screams sophistication. Up front, the signature Singleframe grille and sharp LED headlights mean business, while the gently sloping roofline adds a touch of coupe-like elegance, making this SUV less soccer-run and more night-out chic.
The side profile is all sharp creases and bold details, with optional 20-inch alloys for extra swagger. The Black Optic Plus pack trades shiny chrome for sinister black trim if you fancy a bit of menace.
Around the back, the sloped tailgate and streamlined tail lights pull it all together, and the SQ5 ditches those cringe-worthy fake exhaust tips, keeping things classy. It’s pure Audi, stylish enough to stand out but still understated enough to avoid looking like it’s trying too hard.
Style Over Space? Maybe Just a Little
Inside, the Q5 Sportback brings Audi’s well-honed knack for luxury with tech. High-spec models get the impressive ‘Digital Stage’ display, merging a 14.5-inch touchscreen with an 11.9-inch driver’s display in a sleek OLED package. There’s even an optional passenger display, just in case your co-pilot feels left out. Copying your other German brother, Mercedes now?
Buyers can choose between Sport, S Line, and Quattro trims, with each level piling on more leather, chrome, and tech than the last. It’s all built on Audi’s updated Premium Platform Combustion architecture, promising improved handling and ride quality thanks to new steel springs and optional air suspension.
Now for the elephant in the room: practicality. The 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback offers up to 1,415 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This is 58 litres less than the standard Q5, which boasts a maximum of 1,473 litres. The reduction is due to the sloping roofline, which sacrifices some vertical space for style.
It’s not a deal-breaker unless you regularly haul flat-pack furniture or need to transport a small band’s worth of gear. Still, the compromise is worth it if you value style over sensibility.
Power to Spare, Choices Aplenty
2.0-Litre Turbocharged Petrol (Mild Hybrid)
Let’s start with the sensible one. The 2.0-litre petrol is the kind of engine that’s perfect for the “I like my coffee with oat milk” crowd. It kicks out a respectable 201 bhp and 35 kgm of torque, sending power to the front wheels unless you tick the quattro box. With a 7-speed S tronic gearbox, this will do 0–100 kph in 7.6 seconds — quick enough to beat most family saloons to the school gate.
2.0-Litre Turbocharged Diesel (Mild Hybrid)
Diesel engines may be falling out of fashion faster than skinny jeans, but Audi’s 2.0-litre unit refuses to be cancelled. This one also pumps out 201 bhp but with a beefier 41 kgm of torque, which means it pulls harder than a toddler at a toy store. Quattro all-wheel drive comes standard here, making it the better choice for hauling caravans, tackling slippery roads, or just pretending you live somewhere snowy. It’s slightly quicker, too, hitting 100 kph in 7.1 seconds.
3.0-Litre Turbocharged V6 Petrol (Mild Hybrid)
Now we’re talking. The SQ5’s V6 is a proper engine — 362 bhp and a hearty 56 kgm of torque. That’s enough shove to make sure you’re never late to your tee time, and with quattro combined, this variant will fly if it had wings attached. Audi’s 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox comes paired to this 3-litre, allowing 0–100 kph in just 4.7 seconds.
If electrification is your game, plug-in hybrid variants are set to arrive later. These promise up to 50 miles of electric-only driving, perfect for a quick coffee run or pretending to be eco-friendly in the office car park.
It’s a shame the fake exhaust tips are gone; you’ll have to intimidate them with actual power and noise now.
Verdict
With prices starting at £52,350 (Rs. 55.69 lakh) and rising sharply for the V6-powered SQ5 Sportback, Audi’s latest is clearly aimed at those who prioritise looks and luxury over outright utility. It’s less practical than the regular Q5 but far more eye-catching — and that’s the whole point.
