Audi Q5 Sportback. Audissime

Where testing the Q5 Sportback, my third Audi, will seal my opinion of the lineup.

Let's start this article with a confession: I've always struggled with Audi. The origin of this disenchantment? Globally nebulous. Admittedly, Audi owners only inspire me, at best, with a form of indifference mixed with a hint of disdain and judgment, but this answer did not satisfy me: why these people buy Audi? How does it feel to drive an Audi? My “ total journalism ” side pushed me to spend time behind the wheel of three models: the restyled A4 first, followed by the e-tron Sportback and, finally, this Q5 Sportback. And it's time to conclude on this strange relationship that unites me with the mark with the rings.

Brief recap of the two previous tests: the A4 had left me, it must be admitted, overall cold. Actually a good car, eh, but I didn't find anything exciting or endearing. Quite the opposite, however, with the Sportback e-tron. The car is pretty, dynamic, comfortable, very pleasant to drive; really not much to add. I felt, however, that my story with Audi should not end there; It was therefore with real curiosity that I responded to the brand's invitation to come and try their latest baby, the Sportback version of its successful Q5.

First discovery, therefore, in the parking lot of Ajaccio airport - the opportunity for me to recall what I have already said a number of times: cut SUVs are not my cup of tea. Only two models escape this rule, two models which (surprise!) Have four rings on the grille: the Q8 (what charisma !!) and the e-tron Sportback (what elegance !!). The derivative cut of the Q5 therefore had its chances ... but does not transform the test, or at least not to my taste. That said, if you like this kind of bodywork, you should have no trouble cracking this steeply sloped rear window and raised bumper. In detail, this Q5 Sportback takes the same dimensions as its “normal” brother (4,689 x 1,893 x 1,660) and takes over this pretty shoulder line already seen on the elegant A5 , for example. The Singleframe grille has a different feel, and… that's it overall. Audi has been putting down competition in terms of optics for years and driving the point home again: you can choose the graphics of the OLED taillights to order! Oh yes, one last thing: Audi believes strongly in its Q5 Sportback since the brand provides a 50/50 volume between the two bodies.

And inside? Let’s immediately answer the annoying question: no, the Q5 Sportback does not sacrifice roominess at the rear (well yes, you lose… 2 mm high) and even offers itself the luxury of offering a still very standard standard. practical sliding bench seat. Only the trunk is a bit lighter with 40 liters less, even if the 510 liters offered remain reasonable. Note however: the hybrid models lower the capacity of the hold to 455 liters and that of the tank to 53 liters, instead of 70… The batteries had to be put somewhere.

We therefore find the dashboard completely redesigned from the restyled Q5, an improved formula of the 2017 model. 2017 was four years ago, and a lot has happened since; I include the screens placed at the top of the dashboard. Since then, almost all models (including Audi) have screens much better integrated into the assembly, benefiting the harmony on board. Because a screen placed in the middle of nothing… it's not very beautiful. The Q5 Sportback therefore offers a dashboard still quite dated, but makes up for what is happening inthose damn screens. Because the MMI (= the multimedia interface of the brand so that my mom understands) is once again updated and is now based on the “MIB 3 ″ even faster / modern / intuitive / connected than before, and that's is simply remarkable. The 10.1-inch central screen is of royal clarity and simplicity, while the 12.3 ”Virtual Cockpit remains, to my taste, unmatched in beauty and ergonomics.

In terms of engines? Five possibilities: two diesel (TDI 35 of 163 hp and TDI 40 of 204 hp), two plug-in gasoline hybrids (TFSI e 50 of 299 hp and TFSI e 55 of 367 hp) and an S version equipped with the V6 TDI of 341 hp; I had these last two engines to test, starting with the hybrid-hybrid which takes advantage of the restyling to see the capacity of its battery go from 14.1 kWh to 17.9 kWh, making it possible to announce an electric autonomy of between 56 and 61 km depending on the versions and equipment selected.

What is this Q5 Sportback hybrid worth? I'm not going to say it's boring to drive; let's just say that it does its job and that it does it well, without any extra - and that is undoubtedly what a “lambda” driver is looking for above all. The driving is smooth, the chassis rigorous, the relaunches efficient: we have in our hands a reassuring car to drive. Not very fun, of course, but reassuring - once again, isn't that the very principle of a pleasant car on a daily basis? This first appetizer will also be an opportunity to take stock of the mind-blowing list of driving aids, a list which can include quite astonishing functions: when a destination is entered in the GPS, even if the cruise control adaptive is off, the car will brake on its own when approaching, for example, tight bend or roundabout. Add to this regenerative braking which can be intensified or reduced there too without any request from the driver; two rather destabilizing functions which were soon to be disconnected. However, let us not forget to talk about the “intelligent” accelerator pedal: when you drive electrically, the electronics will generate a kind of hard point in the race in order to signify, if we cross this point, that the heat engine is running. will start. There, for once, it is not intrusive and even rather useful. But let's keep in mind, for refractories, that all this equipment is optional ???? two rather destabilizing functions which were soon to be disconnected. However, let us not forget to talk about the “intelligent” accelerator pedal: when you drive electrically, the electronics will generate a kind of hard point in the race in order to signify, if we cross this point, that the heat engine is running. will start. There, for once, it is not intrusive and even rather useful. But let's keep in mind, for refractories, that all this equipment is optional ???? two rather destabilizing functions which were soon to be disconnected. However, let us not forget to talk about the “intelligent” accelerator pedal: when you drive electrically, the electronics will generate a kind of hard point in the race in order to signify, if we cross this point, that the heat engine is running. will start. There, for once, it is not intrusive and even rather useful. But let's keep in mind, for refractories, that all this equipment is optional ????

The second day, change of frame and philosophy, since an SQ5 Sportback in this fabulous “Vert District” is offered to us. Small reminder: the SQ5 is above all a V6 diesel with 341 hp & 700 Nm of torque associated with an electric compressor and a 48 V micro-hybridization allowing this edgy Q5 Sportback to go from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.1 s; and let's not forget the chassis, with the classic quattro suspension and the Sport differential (… at € 1,660). To drive, it's royal: the revivals are remarkable, the extension sublime and the chassis extremely rigorous. Even if we feel that this SQ5 is not specially designed for Corsican virolos, it shows an almost unexpected dynamism. Only here it is: thinking about this car makes me angry .

When you arrive in front of this hormone-filled Q5 Sportback, you are seduced by the charisma of the beast: the car is well placed on its supports, it imposes some. We walk around, we discover the superb 21 ″ rims and the usual four tailpipes typical of Audi “S”. And, when the driver starts, a nice low and low noise escapes, vocalizations that make one think of a good family V8 - a beautiful soundtrack which continues in the passenger compartment. However :

Audi's justification for this aberration? According to them, the desire to standardize the design of the rear bumpers between thermals and e-tron led to hiding the “real” exhaust outlets; only here, all Audi “S” have four pots and customers demanded them, which led the design teams to this weird compromise “we keep the classic exhaust but we still put four false cannulas just behind to please to the plebs ”. That is. But that's not the only problem I have with the SQ5. Do you remember when I told you about the pleasant soundtrack of the engine? She comes out of a loudspeaker. A SPEAKER. So, when you do a nice acceleration with the window open, you can hear the not very exciting “ffsssshhhhhh” typical of turbo engines coming from the front and a much more muffled growl from the rear and it is, from my point of view, quite spectacularly tasteless. And it doesn't stop there: if you perform said acceleration with the window closed, the ambient mechanical noise will also come from the speakers. So, yes, it's very well done and hyper realistic (we are light years away from the atrocity of the first Peugeot 308 GT ) and yes, it can be deactivated, but it tends to force-feed me severely and it leaves me a rather negative aftertaste of the car - all the more unfortunate since, I repeat, I have really good loved driving this SQ5 Sportback.