2023 Audi Q5 Sportback

Audi’s best-selling vehicle is the Q5 crossover, and in Sportback guise it goes from staid to stylin’ thanks to rakish rear roofline. In all other aspects it shares the Q5’s plusses - a quiet and comfortable cabin, agile moves and a wide array of available tech. Like its stablemates, the 2023 Q5 Sportback gets wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Performance

The Q5 Sportback uses Audi’s competent 2.0L turbo-four, here with a 12-volt mild hybrid system and making 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a 7-speed auto and quattro all-wheel-drive. This drivetrain provides plenty to urge for scooting around town and highway passing. Handling is typical Audi stable and sharp, and ride quality pleasingly compliant.

Practicality

Style over ultimate practicality is the Sportback trade-off. The Q5 Sportback’s sexy profile cuts into rear headroom a bit and compromises the loading of tall, boxy cargo. But with 699 L of cargo space (seats up) and 1516 L (seats down) it is still plenty useful. The 40/20/40 rear bench enables multiple load configurations. We would ask for more useful front cabin storage. When properly equipped, the Q5 Sportback will tow up to 4400 lbs.

Canadian Pricing

Unlike the regular-bodied Q5 that offers a base 201-hp Komfort model at $45,250, the Q5 Sportback bows with the $56,950 Progressive which represents a $2250 over the corresponding Q5 Progressive. This trim nets 19-inch wheels, panoramic sun roof, navigation and Virtual Cockpit. Moving up to the $67,100 Technik adds Bang and Olufsen audio, heated rear seats, LED matrix headlights, top view camera, adaptive cruise and more.