2025 Audi Q5 Sportback has 261hp, starts at $52,200

For those of you who like a bit more sport and a bit less utility from their German crossover machine, Audi has just introduced the 2025 Q5 Sportback. And, yes – there is an SQ5 variant.

Our corporate overlords want that sweet click-through rate, so that’s why we waited until after the jump to let you know the SQ5 Sportback will make 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, good enough for a 0–60 mph run of an estimated 4.7 seconds. All-wheel drive helps that performance.

The mainstream Q5 Sportback employs a 2.0L inline-four receiving assists from a mild hybrid system, all good for 261 ponies and 273 lb-ft of twist. It can recover some energy for its small battery whilst coasting but don’t expect to road trip on electrons alone. A seven-speed automatic is the gearbox and Quattro is on board, as well.

A sloping rear roofline, the whole point of this car, eats about 2 cubic feet of space compared to the more upright Q5; we will also speculate the shape of that area is less conducive to carrying tall items or something bulky like a vintage cabinet that this demographic seem to like buying. Virtually everything else about this model year’s Q5 Sportback is identical to the regular Q5, including dandy interior trappings available in an array of upholstery choices including slick Nappa leather in Magma Red for some trims.

Other outlets simply regurgitating a press release will try to tell you pricing won’t show up until a later date but simply going to the build-and-price tool for our market reveals a starting price of $52,200 for the base Q5, rising through $56,300 for a mid-rung Premium Plus before topping out at $59,400 for a Prestige trim. Options such as a snazzy $2,750 Black Optics package can push that sum much higher.

As for the more powerful SQ5 Sportback, that model picks up the baton at $61,800 and runs through to $68,900 for a top-tier Prestige trim. Checking all the option boxes and adding destination can push the total close to 80 grand.

Comparatively, the regular Q5 starts at $45,400 but is equipped with a less powerful engine. Put on the same footing, a comparable Q5 is tagged at $48,800 which means it is about a $3,000 walk to the Sportback which brings a different style but smaller cargo area.