2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Review: Style And Substance
The Audi Q5 has been the brand's best-selling car for a while now and is offered in all kinds of configurations, from the base model to a hybrid and the high-performance SQ5. It would only make sense, then, for Audi to offer it in a coupe style too. The Audi Q5 Sportback is a coupe-like SUV in the same vein as the BMW X4, and takes all the good bits and pieces of the Q5 and adds a bit of style. Despite that sloping roofline, it still has a generously sized cargo area. The Sportback features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a mild hybrid system that delivers a decent 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than the equivalent BMW. Power delivery is punchy, and the styling is eye-catching. A bit of pizzazz is missing from the driving experience, especially when you consider its sporty styling and BMW rival, and it's also almost $7,000 pricier than the normal Q5. If these downsides don't bother you, there is still much to like here, and in this 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback review we find out exactly what its secret is.
What's the Price of the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback?
The price of the Audi Q5 Sportback begins at an MSRP of $51,000, making it cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class coupe. The price of the Q5 Sportback in Premium Plus trim is $54,600, while the top-of-the-range Prestige costs $59,700. These prices exclude tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,195. Fully loaded, the Prestige trim can top out at around $64k, including destination.
2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Handling And Driving Impressions
The Q5 Sportback SUV is based on the standard Q5, which means you get a supple ride that soaks up bumps and makes highway cruising a dream. The Q5 Sportback might look a bit more athletic than its standard SUV sibling, but it's just as relaxed to drive and shows no intention of being a track-day star. Fast corners are handled with grace, but turn-in isn't as sharp, and steering feedback not as communicative as the BMW X4. This model was built to cruise, and it becomes even sweeter with the optional adaptive suspension. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine's punchy nature also ensures that this car is a pleasure to drive in town and offers good overtaking capability on the freeway, especially in hybrid configuration, where you get 362 horsepower. A strong quality in the Audi's favor is the manner in which it keeps outside noises to a minimum.
Verdict: Is The 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback A Good SUV?
People seem to gravitate towards coupe-like SUVs for some reason, despite offering less cargo and passenger space, but nothing makes much sense anymore, so Audi might just as well jump on the bandwagon. The new Audi Q5 Sportback crossover is based on the brand's best-selling Q5, which should tell you plenty. This car is relaxing to drive, although not as sharp as the BMW X4, and is a refined beast, although not as luxurious and well-appointed as the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. You also have to consider whether spending almost $7,000 more on the Q5 Sportback is worth it over the base Q5. The Audi's 2.0-liter powerplant is a gem that offers more than enough punch and is a true premium offering. It doesn't necessarily stand out in any category, but neither does it have any fatal flaws. It's another polished performance from a modern Audi.
What 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Should I Buy?
Audi has managed to undercut its main rivals, the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, by over $3,000 in base trim, which means you can skip the Premium trim altogether and go straight for the $51,800 mid-level Premium Plus and still pay around the same as an entry-level model from either BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Going for the Premium Plus will get you all the base features such as a panoramic sunroof, lane departure warning, and automatic climate control, but adds a electrically adjustable steering wheel, the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit display, a top-view camera system, and driver aids such as active lane assist and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.