The 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback takes the German luxury brand’s best-selling SUV and gives it a sleek, coupe-like body. It compromises a bit on cargo space, but if you prioritize sporty styling over practicality, it’s a worthwhile trade-off. It competes directly with the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
The Q5 Sportback offers engaging performance, but if you crave a little more adrenaline in your daily commute, you’ll enjoy the 6-cylinder SQ5 Sportback.
The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-4 that delivers a nice balance of performance and efficiency. It’s rated at 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque while returning up to 23 city/28 highway mpg.
The SQ5 Sportback uses a more potent 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 delivering 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That performance upgrade comes with a fuel economy penalty; it returns 19 city/24 highway mpg.
In classic Audi fashion, every Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback has the quattro AWD system.
The Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback both have three trims available. The trim structures are very similar, but we’ll point out the differences between the two models when applicable.
Let’s look at the three trims of this sporty luxury SUV and find the right one for you.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium (starting price of Q5: $50,100; starting price of SQ5: $59,200)
As you might expect for an Audi, even the base trim is quite luxurious. Standard features on the base Premium trim include the sporty S Line appearance package with 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights and taillights, a power liftgate, 3-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, heated and power-adjustable sport front seats, sliding and reclining rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, Audi side assist, and Audi pre sense basic, city, and rear.
The standard infotainment system is an MMI touch display with a 10.1-inch screen loaded with wireless Apple CarPlay.
The equipment list on the SQ5 Sportback Premium is very similar but comes with a few upgrades on top of the 6-cylinder engine. It adds an S-specific adaptive damping suspension and braking system, S model exterior styling, and leather/Dinamica seating surfaces.
There’s a Convenience Package available for the Premium trim on both the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback that’s worth considering. It adds the Audi advanced key, auto-dimming, power-folding exterior mirrors, a heated steering wheel, a memory driver’s seat, and SiriusXM. The contents of the Convenience Package come standard on the two upper trims.
After a destination fee of $1,195, the Q5 Sportback starts at $51,295, and the SQ5 Sportback starts at $60,395. With a 60-month loan at 3% interest, the Q5 Sportback would have a monthly payment starting at $922, and the SQ5 Sportback would begin at $1,085/month. See 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium models for sale
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium includes:
MMI infotainment system — This user-friendly 10.1-inch screen comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay.
Panoramic sunroof — We love to see this premium feature on the base trim.
Sliding and reclining back seats — This not only adds comfort for your backseat passengers, but it makes the seating and cargo space of this SUV a little more customizable.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium Plus (starting price of Q5: $53,500; starting price of SQ5: $62,400)
The Premium Plus trim comes with some nice upgrades over the base model. The price hike is modest enough that it’s the best value in the Q5 Sportback lineup for most drivers.
On top of the contents of the Convenience Package, the Premium Plus model adds adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane assist, a hands-on detection steering wheel, leatherette covered center console and door armrests, a 360-degree camera, and Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, which gives you a high-tech digital gauge cluster.
On the SQ5 Sportback, the Premium Plus trim further adds a power-adjustable steering column.
A few more option packages become available at this trim level. A Navigation Package adds exactly what you think, and a Warm Weather Package adds rear side window sunshades and ventilated front seats.
For the SQ5 Sportback, we recommend the S sport package if your budget allows it. It adds red brake calipers, a sport rear differential, and sport adaptive air suspension. Dynamic steering is another performance option.
With a 60-month loan at 3% interest, the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus would start at $983/month, and the SQ5 version would start at $1,143/month. See 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium Plus models for sale.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Premium Plus includes:
Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus — This gives you a dazzling digital gauge cluster that can display just about any information you want, including maps.
Adaptive cruise control — This feature automatically keeps a safe distance from the car in front of you and comes with traffic jam assist.
Active lane assist — This makes highway driving a little safer and more convenient.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Prestige (starting price of Q5: $58,800; starting price of SQ5: $67,600)
The range-topping Prestige trim is the most luxurious variant you can get of this SUV. For starters, it comes standard with many features that are optional on the Premium Plus trim. These include the contents of the Navigation package and Warm weather package plus Bang & Olufsen premium audio.
Additional standard features include animation for the headlights and taillights, Matrix-design LED headlights with headlight washers, dual-pane acoustic glass for the front side windows, a head-up display, heated rear seats, heated and cooled front cup holders, multicolor ambient interior lighting, park assist, a stainless steel trunk sill, and traffic sign recognition. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige gets OLED taillights.
The top Prestige model doesn’t come cheap. Assuming a 60-month loan with 3% interest, the Q5 Sportback Prestige would have a starting monthly payment of $1,078, and the SQ5 Sportback Prestige would start at $1,236/month. See 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Prestige models for sale.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Prestige includes:
Matrix-design LED headlights — These headlights add an extra layer of premium style to this Audi.
Head-up display — This tech feature makes it easier to keep your eyes on the road and reduce distractions.
Park assist — When it’s time to parallel park, you work the pedals, and the Audi takes care of the steering.
