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Audi brings coupe-like Q5 Sportback and high-performance SQ5 Sportback to Australia
Audi Australia has expanded the popular Q5 line-up with two new coupe-SUV variants: the Audi Q5 Sportback and the range-topping Audi SQ5 Sportback. Combining a lower, sleeker roofline with the practicality expected from a compact luxury SUV, these Sportback models complete the third-generation Q5 family now offered Down Under.
Prices, line-up and limited edition
Pricing starts from AUD 84,500 (MLP) for the Q5 Sportback, with five variants on offer overall. A short-run SQ5 Sportback TFSI edition one is part of the launch roster and represents a premium, visually focused take on the V6 performance model. Interestingly, the edition one retails at AUD 109,900 while the standard SQ5 Sportback TFSI 270 kW is listed at AUD 125,900, which gives the limited run surprisingly strong value for buyers seeking bespoke styling and equipment.
Highlights:
- Base Q5 Sportback from AUD 84,500
- SQ5 Sportback TFSI 270 kW from AUD 125,900
- Limited edition SQ5 Sportback TFSI edition one at AUD 109,900
Design and practicality
The Q5 Sportback keeps the cargo and daily usability of the SUV, with a boot capacity of 515 litres, but reshapes the silhouette with a pronounced coupe-like roofline. Audi describes the Sportback as having taut, muscular proportions and a more dynamic stance compared with the regular Q5, while retaining premium interior appointments and the flexibility owners expect from the Q5 nameplate.
Both Q5 and Q5 Sportback models are built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture and use an electrified suite of mild-hybrid powertrains. The 48-volt MHEV plus system helps with efficiency and low-end torque delivery across the range.
Engines and performance
The line-up spans from efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel options to the high-performance SQ5. Key powertrains include:
- Q5 Sportback (base petrol): 2.0-litre turbo four with 48V mild-hybrid, 150 kW and 340 Nm; seven-speed S tronic gearbox; front-wheel drive standard; 0-62 mph in about 8.6 seconds.
- Q5 Sportback TDI: similar peak power but boosted torque to 400 Nm, quattro all-wheel drive, and improved 0-100 km/h acceleration of 7.4 seconds. Prices for diesel variants sit at AUD 91,100 and AUD 97,600 for the sport specification.
- SQ5 Sportback TFSI (270 kW): 3.0-litre turbo V6 producing 270 kW and 550 Nm; 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, delivering genuine sports-sedan pace in a coupe-SUV body.
The SQ5 Sportback edition one adds visual upgrades such as bespoke 20-inch black Audi Sport alloys, S sport suspension, red brake calipers, privacy glass and a dark exterior styling package with anthracite Audi rings.
Market positioning and verdict
The Sportback variants allow Audi to target buyers who want the elevated driving position and practicality of an SUV, but prefer a more dynamic, coupe-inspired look. In a market increasingly crowded with premium compact SUVs and coupe-SUV crossovers, the Q5 Sportback underlines Audi's strategy of delivering multiple body styles from a single platform to broaden appeal.
'The Audi Q5 has been a cornerstone of our success in Australia, and the arrival of the Sportback body style ensures its appeal continues to grow', said Jeff Mannering, Director of Audi Australia.
For buyers focused on style and performance, the SQ5 Sportback represents the clearest expression of the range, while the diesel and mild-hybrid petrol options offer better efficiency or all-wheel-drive capability for those with practical needs. With roomy luggage space, modern mild-hybrid tech and a choice of drivetrains, the Q5 Sportback lineup should resonate with both existing Audi customers and premium SUV shoppers considering rivals in the coupe-SUV segment.
Source: autoevolution
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