2023 Audi Q5 Sportback

MSRP Range: $51,000 - $59,700 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

Audi Q5 Sportback Prestige S line 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Audi Q5 Sportback Prestige S line 4dr SUV Exterior

+62

The Q5 Sportback may have the appearance of a sportier SUV, but it isn't any more dynamic than the standard Q5. And when you couple that with the fact that there's less rear headroom and a slightly smaller cargo area due to the sloping rear roof, it becomes even less appealing. The cabin features lots of high-quality materials, but it comes up a bit short in overall comfort and ease of use too. With so many choices in the small luxury SUV class, the Q5 Sportback feels just adequate.

Pricing

Select year

Total MSRP^{This price includes a $1,195 destination fee charged by the manufacturer.}	$52,195
Edmunds suggests you pay	$49,323

What Should I Pay

1 for sale near you

See All for Sale

Shop vehicle inventory at dealers near you

See other years

Audi Q5 Sportback for Sale

2021

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.},

rating written byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Quiet and spacious cabin
Top-notch interior craftsmanship
Lots of standard equipment, including all-wheel drive

Cons

Disappointing acceleration
Some rivals deliver sportier handling
Mediocre storage space

What's new

Adaptive cruise control is now standard equipment
Premium Plus trim now includes Bang & Olufsen premium audio
Part of the first Q5 Sportback generation introduced for 2021
Adaptive cruise control is now standard equipment

Overview

Coupe-like SUVs began showing up in 2008, offering a sportier silhouette than the typical boxy SUV. The unfortunate trade-off comes with a cut in rear passenger headroom and cargo capacity, which runs counters to a central appeal of an SUV. In recent years several luxury brands have introduced their own models with tapering rooflines. Audi was fairly late to the coupe-like SUV game when it introduced the Q5 Sportback in 2021, but it seems like time well spent.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.93 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$195/mo

$192/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Unlike its coupe-shaped rivals, the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback makes few sacrifices to interior space. You'll lose about 2 inches of rear headroom but just less than a cubic foot of cargo capacity compared to the standard Q5. This year, the Q5 adds further enticement with standard adaptive cruise control for all models and premium audio for the midrange trim.

Unfortunately, the Q5 Sportback is handicapped by a noticeable delay in acceleration, making it feel much slower than it is. We cover that, and the rest of the Q5's advantages and drawbacks, in detail in our Expert Rating below. Check it out to see how it compares to our favorites in the class, including the BMW X3, Acura RDX and Genesis GV70.

Edmunds Expert Rating

average

7.4/10

Edmunds Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.0/10

How does the Q5 Sportback drive? Our Q5 Sportback accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds at our test track. That's a respectably quick time for a small luxury SUV with a base engine. Out in real-world driving, however, the engine sometimes feels overworked and there's a noticeable delay when you press the gas pedal.

Braking is the opposite — it feels good on the street and makes it easy to bring the Audi to a smooth stop. But in our track performance braking testing, our Sportback needed 129 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is longer than average. The antilock braking system is pretty noisy too.

Other downsides include overly vague and imprecise steering (you don't get a good feel for the road) and an engine stop-start system that's overly jarring when it fires the engine back up. The Q5 Sportback does have good grip and poise when you push it hard around turns, but it's the singular bright spot amid otherwise middling performance.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Q5 Sportback? Our test Q5 Sportback came in the Prestige trim with the superbly comfortable front sport seats that have heating and ventilation. These front seats are the single most premium item in the cabin. Sitting in the driver's seat, you feel very well insulated from the outside world.

However, there are issues with ride comfort. The suspension sends vibration from the road to your seat, making it unavoidable that you will feel cracks and bumps in the pavement. It's not especially firm or sporty — it's just constantly busy. The lack of a refined ride quality is unusual in luxury SUVs of this caliber, and we expect more from the Q5 Sportback.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $2,872 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback pricing

in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

See all for sale

Interior

8.0/10

How’s the interior? With the Sportback design, it can be a bit more difficult to get in and out than the standard Q5 — especially for tall passengers. But once you're inside, the cabin is spacious whether you're sitting in the front or the back seat. We also like the commanding driving position that provides impressive outward visibility.

The standard 10.1-inch touchscreen looks great, but it's mounted to the top of the dashboard like a tacked-on tablet. That looks a little awkward, and it's even stranger to use. There is no dial or touchpad controller, so you need to poke and swipe to operate the infotainment system. This feels like it could be made easier.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Audi's navigation maps are clear and easy to read, with accurate turn-by-turn directions. Our test vehicle came with a rich and voluminous Bang & Olufsen stereo system that certainly scores some luxury points. The advanced driver aids also performed well. Adaptive cruise control is helpful to use on the freeway, and you can't possibly miss the flashing blind-spot warning lights — we actually wish they weren't as bright.

There were a few hiccups. Though wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration comes standard, connection issues forced us to plug in via a USB port. Bluetooth compatibility worked well, and our vehicle included a wireless charging station. Don't expect much from the voice activation system, which requires you to adhere to strict prompts.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? At 24.7 cubic feet, the Q5 Sportback's trunk is average for the class and only slightly smaller than the standard Q5's below the window beltline. Stack items higher and you'll notice a bigger difference. There are a few tie-down points inside but no underfloor storage. Small-item storage inside the cabin is a bit below average. There's an average-size center console and two small trays that could hold some business cards but not much else.

When so equipped, the Q5 boasts a maximum towing capacity up to 4,400 pounds, which is strong for the class. Only a few competitors can match it. For parents, the easily accessible car seat points and roomy back seat should make it easy to install even the bulkiest of rear-facing infant seats.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Q5 Sportback gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined driving (23 city/28 highway). That's higher than the estimates for the BMW X3 xDrive30i and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic. Our test vehicle returned 26.8 mpg on our evaluation loop in real-world driving, which indicates this estimate should be accurate.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Q5 Sportback a good value? Build quality is a hallmark of Audi vehicles, and the Q5 Sportback is true to the brand. The interior panels exhibit a tight fit throughout the cabin, and there's an interesting mixture of authentic metals, leathers and woods inside. Some competitors do a better job of wowing you with crystals or flashy styling, but the Q5 Sportback brings a lot to the table.

The Sportback's base price is appealing for a luxury SUV considering you get standard all-wheel drive. But by the time you get up to the Prestige trim, pretty much every rival offers the same impressive set of features. There isn't a whole lot that separates the Audi from the pack at this price. Audi offers only four years/50,000 miles of coverage for the basic and powertrain warranties, which is merely average for the class.

Wildcard

6.5/10

While the Q5 Sportback might be more visually appealing to some than the standard model, it's relatively uninspiring to drive. There's nothing dynamically impressive to spark driver interest or set it apart from the current crop of luxury SUVs. If you're looking for driving fun, an upgrade to the sportier SQ5 model might be your best bet.

Which Q5 Sportback does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest stepping up to the midrange Premium Plus trim because it gets you plenty of upgrades for a reasonable cost. The digital instrument panel (or Virtual Cockpit in Audi speak) and premium audio spice up the interior, and you also benefit from added safety features and the included Convenience package.

Audi Q5 Sportback models

The 2023 Q5 Sportback comes in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims. All are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (261 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) designated as the 45 TSFI. A seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. A high-performance version, the SQ5 Sportback, is reviewed separately on Edmunds.

Premium
The Premium trim comes with most of the standard features you'd expect in a luxury car. Highlights include:

19-inch wheels
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof
Power liftgate
Heated mirrors
Keyless ignition
Three-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats
Leather upholstery
10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Rear-seat USB charge ports
10-speaker sound system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Automatic high beams
Front and rear parking sensors

The optional Convenience package adds useful features such as:

Hands-free keyless entry
Driver's seat memory settings
Power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Heated steering wheel
Satellite radio

Premium Plus
The Premium Plus includes all Convenience package features and additional comfort features and driver aids:

Synthetic leather on door armrests and center console
Digital instrument panel
19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
Traffic Jam Assist (adaptive cruise control and lane keeping system for low-speed driving in traffic)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Q5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

The Premium Plus also offers options that include:

Navigation system

Warm Weather package

Ventilated front seats
Rear window sunshades

Prestige
The Prestige comes with the full complement of features, including:

Matrix-design LED headlights (high beams selectively block sections to prevent blinding oncoming traffic)
Interior ambient lighting
Sound-insulating front side windows
Ventilated front seats
Rear window sunshades
Heated rear seats
Heated and cooled cupholders
Navigation system
Wireless smartphone charging with a signal booster
Traffic sign reader
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Semi-automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Other notable options for the Q5 Sportback include rear-seat side airbags and:

Black Optic package

20-inch black wheels
Black exterior trim

Black Optic Sport package

21-inch black wheels with performance tires
Sport suspension
Black exterior trim

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback.

Average user rating: 3.7 stars

7 total reviews

Write a review

See all 7 reviews

5 star reviews: 57%

4 star reviews: 0%

3 star reviews: 14%

2 star reviews: 14%

1 star reviews: 15%

Most helpful consumer reviews

5/5 stars, Fun to drive, with all the bells and whistles

Troy Smith, 05/18/2022

Prestige S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)

Traded in my leased 2020 Q5 Premium Plus for this Q5 Sportback. I really like the sleeker styling and there is very little cargo capacity lost from the more coupe like roof line. This Prestige trim has all the tech that you could ask for, the only minor issue is that, due to chip shortages, there is no wireless phone charger, which my previous Q5 had. I believe that the Q5 is a better …

5/5 stars, Audi Q5 Sportbak

Paul, 07/04/2022

Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)

I’ve owned Audi’s since 2002 and just find these are the cars for me. I’ve tried driving other cars in its class, but always come back to the drive and feel of Audi’s. I’ve had two A4s, two Q5s and now the Q5 Sportback. The Sportback is just an unbelievably nice all around car. I’ve read the reviews as compared to other like class cars which claim a lack of performance but frankly this …

1/5 stars, Look Right Past an Audi

fam1102, 04/11/2023

Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)

I have my 2023 Q5 Sportback four months and it is a disaster. Right from the showroom it began to exhibit problems. Audi service could not fix the MMI so the car acted irrationally. I had the same issue as another reviewer did with the car stopping while in the middle of driving and the seatbelt tightening up so much that it was near choking me and the other person in the vehicle. The …

2/5 stars, Does Audi pay for good reviews?

Notanaudi, 02/03/2022

Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)

I’m confused on so many levels. First, I paid $58k for my sport back and got $1500 off so the pricing is off. Pro: I love the way it drives but this is the only pro. Cons: I had this car for less than 1 year and it had 2 extremely unsafe recalls. The first one I would be driving, get ready to turn and my car would slam on its breaks and strangle me with the seatbelt. I had my …

See all 7 reviews

Write a review

Helpful shopping links

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Features Specs

Trim:

Premium S line

Total MSRP	$52,195
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$195/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Compare the Audi Q5 Sportback

Genesis GV70

Compare

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Compare

Acura RDX

Compare

Audi Q5 Sportback

Compare

Compare selected vehiclesCompare Audi Q5 Sportback to any vehicle See full list of Small luxury SUVs rankings

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. BMW X3

When similarly equipped, the BMW X3 and Q5 are comparably priced and deliver similar interior quality and refinement. The BMW holds a big advantage with its more responsive acceleration. The X4 is the coupe-style version of the X3 SUV, but it makes greater sacrifices to cargo and passenger space than the Q5 Sportback.

Compare Audi Q5 Sportback & BMW X3 features

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. Genesis GV70

The Genesis GV70 is the value leader in the class, undercutting its German competition by several thousand dollars. It's just as spacious, comfortable and sporty as the Q5 Sportback and doesn't suffer the Audi's lag to accelerate. Some of the GV70's controls aren't as easy to use and some interior materials aren't as refined, but you'd have to hunt for those flaws.

Compare Audi Q5 Sportback & Genesis GV70 features

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is often overlooked in this class, which is a shame because it's an excellent alternative in many ways. It's powerful and sporty yet it doesn't sacrifice comfort as a result. It also provides plenty of space for both passengers and cargo. It's more affordable than the Q5 Sportback but is held back by an odd touchpad infotainment controller.

Compare Audi Q5 Sportback & Acura RDX features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Q5 Sportback safety features:

Audi Pre Sense Front: Warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios.
Audi Side Assist: Alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot.
Traffic Jam Assist: Combines adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping system to ease travel in heavy traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	16.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Acceptable
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Audi Q5
4.2 average Rating out of 17 reviews.
Starting at $44,200

Audi Q3
3.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $36,800

Acura RDX
4.2 average Rating out of 21 reviews.
Starting at $41,550

FAQ

Is the Audi Q5 Sportback a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Q5 Sportback both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.4 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Q5 Sportback gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 7 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Q5 Sportback has 24.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi Q5 Sportback. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback:

Adaptive cruise control is now standard equipment
Premium Plus trim now includes Bang & Olufsen premium audio
Part of the first Q5 Sportback generation introduced for 2021
Adaptive cruise control is now standard equipment

Learn more

Is the Audi Q5 Sportback reliable?

To determine whether the Audi Q5 Sportback is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Q5 Sportback. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Q5 Sportback's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Q5 Sportback and gave it a 7.4 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Q5 Sportback gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 7 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Q5 Sportback is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback?

The least-expensive 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback is the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $51,000.

Other versions include:

Premium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) which starts at $51,000
Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) which starts at $54,600
Prestige S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) which starts at $59,700

Learn more

What are the different models of Audi Q5 Sportback?

If you're interested in the Audi Q5 Sportback, the next question is, which Q5 Sportback model is right for you? Q5 Sportback variants include Premium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM), Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM), and Prestige S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM). For a full list of Q5 Sportback models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback

Pricing

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Performance

Comfort

Save as much as $2,872 with Edmunds Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback pricing

Edmunds suggests you pay

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Q5 Sportback does Edmunds recommend?

Audi Q5 Sportback models

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Features Specs

Compare the Audi Q5 Sportback

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. BMW X3

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. Genesis GV70

Audi Q5 Sportback vs. Acura RDX

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Q5 Sportback safety features:

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

IIHS Rating

People who viewed this also viewed

FAQ

Is the Audi Q5 Sportback a good car?

What's new in the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback?

Is the Audi Q5 Sportback reliable?

Is the 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback?

What are the different models of Audi Q5 Sportback?

Related 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback info

Vehicle rankings by type

Research similar car reviews

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other popular Audi reviews and ratings

More SUVs to consider

Photos

Automotive News

Join Edmunds

Save as much as $2,872 with Edmunds ^{Click on the model you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal.}