Audi SQ5 Sportback, behind the wheel of the top version powered by the 367 hp V6. How does it go?

SISTIANA – Now in its second generation and built on the PPC modular thermal platform developed to extract maximum efficiency from combustion engines, the Audi Q5 Sportback, with prices starting at 68,850 euros, is a medium-large SUV coupé offered in 3 trim levels with 6 different engines, 2 of which are plug-in.

At the Portopiccolo event dedicated to the various interpretations of the Sportback architecture introduced at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, Audi showcased the Q5 2.0 TDI with 204 horsepower, chosen by 65 percent of customers, and the top-of-the-line SQ5 powered by the 3.0 TFSI petrol engine with 367 horsepower. Both four-wheel drive vehicles feature mild-hybrid powertrains connected to the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Thanks to the evolution of the mild-hybrid technology with powertrain generator, they can achieve 15 percent lower fuel consumption than the previous generation of engines.

During our test drive on the motorways and provincial roads around Trieste, we opted for the highest-performance version of the model, where the V6 immediately demonstrated its potential.

The entire route was completed in dynamic driving mode, which extracts maximum performance from the 3.0L's silky yet powerful power delivery, channeled to the asphalt by the quattro ultra drivetrain. The effective system sends torque to the rear only when necessary, and already on the first uphill hairpin bends with Duino Castle in the background, the chassis' torsional resistance and progressive steering announce handling that's anything but predictable for a 4.72-meter-long SUV.

The model was also equipped with adaptive air suspension, in which the individual management of each electro-hydraulic shock absorber allows for a ride height variation of up to 60 mm. The ground clearance is synergistic with easier overcoming of obstacles during off-road driving, which is in turn supported by the off-road/off-road plus programs.

Except for a short dirt road in the Slovenian woods, the test took place mainly on high-quality asphalt, which enhanced the already remarkable comfort of the D-segment Audi SUV. Over the approximately 30 km of the A3 – an ideal setting for appreciating the habitability, power, and high-speed stability of the SQ5 – only the excellent soundproofing prevented the melody of the V6 from spreading into the cabin. In the traffic of the regional capital, the electric thrust of the 48-volt mild-hybrid frequently kicked in, so much so that in the city center, consumption was 6 l/100 km, while at the end of the route, driven at moderate speeds, the figure settled at 9 l/100 km.

To the pleasant on-board experience for driver and passengers, the Q identity adds a more muscular style, pronounced quattro blisters, and sharp headlights to the Sportback equation. The design is sportier than in the past, and at the rear, the steeply raked C-pillars and the arched profile of the tailgate contribute to the aerodynamic coefficient of Cd 0.30. The radical revamp of the Q5 has also affected the passenger compartment, where the Audi Digital Stage presents a digital stage composed of the 11.9-inch virtual cockpit plus dashboard flanked by the 14.5-inch curved MMI display with OLED technology. Both are standard from the first trim level, and upon request, the multimedia interfaces can include a head-up display with a viewing area 85 percent larger than before. Also inside, the 10.9-inch front passenger screen is unique in its category, while the operating system also includes interaction between AI (ChatGPT) and voice assistant.