Audi Q5 Sportback S-line 2.0 TFSI quattro Review: When Style Makes Sense

There’s a particular kind of buyer the Audi Q5 Sportback mild hybrid is aimed at - and it isn’t someone who walks into a showroom asking about boot volume first. That buyer already knows the Q5 formula works; what they’re questioning, instead, is whether looking sensible is still enough in a market where almost every premium SUV has become visually interchangeable.

This Sportback exists because the regular Q5, competent as it is, blends in far too easily. And in Singapore - where cars can cost as much as a HDB property - blending in can feel like a poor use of money.

Exterior Design

The sloping roofline is not a styling afterthought here - it’s the car’s entire thesis. Audi has taken the familiar Q5 proportions and deliberately injected curvature, tension, and a coupe-like rear that makes the Sportback look lower and more athletic, even though it sits just as comfortably above the tarmac.

The test car driven was the sportiest S-line variant, and that matters. The more aggressive bumpers, larger wheels, and darker exterior accents don’t just add visual flair; they reinforce the idea that this is the sharper interpretation of the Q5. In S-line trim, the Sportback leans fully into its name, amplifying the “Sport” in Sportback, without tipping into excess.

Park it next to a standard Q5 and the difference is immediate. One looks corporate, the other looks distinctively less so, in a good way.

Practically Speaking

Inside, the Q5 Sportback is unmistakably Audi. Build quality is excellent, materials feel premium, and the layout prioritises clarity over theatrics. If there’s a criticism, it’s that the interior doesn’t feel markedly different from the regular Q5; even in S-line trim.

That said, this is an interior designed to age gracefully rather than impress fleetingly. Everything works, and it works well.

Despite the coupe-like roofline, Audi hasn’t been reckless with usability. The rear doors open almost 90-degrees, a detail that sounds minor until you’re dealing with child seats or elderly passengers. It’s thoughtful, not flashy - very much in line with Audi’s engineering philosophy.

Boot space stands at 515-litres, which remains perfectly usable for the Singapore life. Weekly grocery hauls, weekend luggage, occasional airport runs; all handled without drama. Rear headroom is slightly reduced compared to the regular Q5, true, but unless your rear passengers are unusually tall, it’s a compromise most owners should be able to accept.

Driving It

Power comes from Audi’s familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Outputs sit at 204 hp and 340 Nm, good for a 0–100 km/h time just over seven seconds.

What stands out, though, isn’t the acceleration itself; but how unforced it feels. The mild hybrid system smooths out low-speed driving, while the 7-speed S tronic gearbox delivers clean, predictable shifts. It’s a setup well suited to Singapore traffic, where for the daily drive, refinement and responsiveness matter more than outright speed.

Somehow, compared to the regular Q5, the Sportback - especially in this S-line trim - feels slightly more cohesive and settled, with marginally better body control and directional stability. The lower roofline, sporty suspension setup, and firmer tuning give it a subtle but noticeable edge in body control. It’s not trying to be a performance SUV, but it rewards drivers who appreciate balance and polish.

The Q5 Sportback’s composure is further reinforced by Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, and this is where it quietly differentiates itself from many front-biased rivals. In dry conditions, it lends the car a planted, confidence-inspiring feel through bends and expressway sweepers; body movements are controlled, and the car tracks cleanly even when driven briskly.

However, it’s in the wet - a very real consideration on Singapore roads - where quattro truly proves its worth. Whether it’s a sudden downpour on the AYE or cruising comfortably in lane one along the North-South highway during heavy rain, the added traction brings a sense of stability that’s hard to quantify but easy to appreciate. You don’t drive faster; you drive calmer. And that, for many buyers, is the real value of all-wheel drive.

Question: Why This Over The Regular Q5?

To be clear, the Audi Q5 Sportback mild hybrid here doesn’t exist to rewrite what an SUV should be - it exists to refine a proven formula for buyers who want their practicality wrapped in personality and confidence.

If space and pure rationality dominate your buying criteria, the regular Q5 still makes sense. But if you value design, appreciate subtle dynamic improvements, and want the added reassurance of quattro when conditions turn less than ideal, the Sportback makes a strong case.

Conclusion

The Audi Q5 Sportback succeeds by understanding modern premium SUV buyers, especially in Singapore. It delivers style without sacrificing usability, refinement without dullness, and confidence without excess.

In a segment crowded with capable but forgettable options in both EV and ICE forms, the Q5 Sportback stands out not by shouting the loudest, but by feeling the most considered and knowing exactly what it wants to be.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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