2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Performance

This is a premium luxury German SUV, so it goes without saying that it's going to, at the very least, have a decent turn of pace. The 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback enjoys the same power output as the standard Q5, totaling 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Its perky gas and mild-hybrid powertrain deliver a surprising lowdown punch, transferring into a seamless surge of power. The Q5 Sportback offers more power than the base versions of fellow Germans, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe and the BMW X4, and Audi claims a brisk 0-60 mph sprint time of only 5.7 seconds, partly thanks to the quattro AWD system. The base Porsche Macan has the same 261 hp and more torque - 295 lb-ft - but is slower to 60 mph. The Audi's top speed is 130 mph. Although the Porsche is the more enjoyable car to drive fast, this Audi will never leave you wanting for more power. The Q5 Sportback is capable of towing a decent 4,400 lbs.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI inline-4 engine under the hood of the Audi Q5 Sportback is joined by a 12-volt mild-hybrid system to help improve both efficiency and performance and delivers a respectable 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a standard quattro all-wheel-drive system. Despite its notable size and weight, the Q5 Sportback never feels slow, and pick-up from the powertrain is impressive. In town, throttle response is sharp enough to get you out of tight spots in traffic and even fully loaded with kids and cargo, the Q5 Sportback doesn't hesitate to provide a good shove of torque. The same can be said for highway driving: the Q5 Sportback doesn't struggle to maintain or pick up speed on the open road and will happily overtake even when fully loaded. The seven-speed box is smooth but responsive enough when called on to make quick shifts.

Despite the additional hybrid assistance, the Q5 Sportback doesn't deliver massively impressive fuel economy figures, although it's in line with its major rivals. The EPA rates that the Q5 will manage 23/28/25 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle. The rivaling Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe will manage a similar 22/28/24 mpg in GLC 300 guise and the base BMW X4 can return 21/28/24 mpg.

With a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons, the Q5 Sportback should have a range of around 460 miles.