The Audi Q5 Sportback, now with even less headroom
Audi is playing catchup and capitalizing on the fastback SUV craze that has been sweeping the world for the past few years. Audi has done this by chopping off the back of the “Squareback Q5” and releasing new 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback to stand alongside the standard Q5 and SQ5. This continues along from the release of the Q3 Sportback and eTron Sportback models in the past year. The Sportback variants will compete directly with the Mercedes GLC Coupe, BMW X4 and the upcoming Infinity QX55.
The Sportback variant isn’t new for Audi. They have had the A5 Sportback for several years and has sold very well compared to the standard A5 model. It makes sense from a marketing and sales perspective to then take the same formula and apply it to their best selling models, the Q3 and Q5. I have no doubt in my mind that the the Q5/SQ5 Sportback will sell extremely well when it goes on sale in the first half of 2021.
The design of the Q5 Sportback is one that looks great from the outside with the swooping c-pillar and high rake on the rear hatch. It creates a very sleek and sporty look, which I really like. The new SQ5 shares many design cues from the Q8 and I can even see hints of the very aggressive RS Q8 design. I think it’s a great looking SUV (they’re calling it a CUV, not an SUV), even with the fake exhaust tips built into the rear bumper.
The fastback design is a proven formula – take a more square design on one of your models, angle the rear hatch and chop part of the c-pillar off to make a more raked design and voila – a new model! Car companies have been doing this for quite a few years now. The first that I remember seeing was the BMW X6 and then the Acura ZDX, both of which were pretty ugly at the time. Back when the ZDX was released in 2010 I don’t think we were ready for these kinds of SUVs/CUVs and it was canned after 3 years of abysmal sales. The original X6 and ZDX were ahead of their time. I suspect that if Acura or Honda came out with a new model today it would sell very well.
However, my thoughts change when we get inside the vehicle. The front seats, powertrain and technology are basically identical to the standard Q5 and SQ5 and has been slightly updated from the standard variants. As a tall person (I’m 6’2″) I can either choose to sit in the back seats with my neck crooked or not sit in the back at all. The increased rake of the rear end of the Q5 Sportback means that the, already limited, headroom is basically gone. Which is fine for most people who will almost never have anyone in the back seats or people with small children in the back. Don’t expect to go out on the town for an evening with your basketball buddies, though.
Audi has not yet released the date it will go on sale but if you’re looking to be one of the first to have the latest hot SUV from Audi, contact your local dealer and get your deposit in. I suspect that they’ll go quick once they hit the dealer showrooms. I’m excited to be able to see them hit the roads, though I won’t be in line to buy one.
*Images courtesy of Audi AG
