THEY say sex sells, but does that work when something is already selling well? Audi thinks so. No stranger to the German sport utility vehicle coupé market, the 2023 Q5 Sportback is the coupé version of the already top-selling Q5. Adding a few curves to the body lines may have just created the best trim level of the Q5 to own.

The entire point of the Sportback is that it shares some resemblance to a sports coupé. To do this, the rear roof has an added dynamic slope for a more rounded shape causing the rear doors to visually disappear. Whatever the view on this styling trend, there’s no doubt it’s popular. It’s aimed at those who just aren’t ready to give fully into a more practical lifestyle, and automotive fashionistas. The coupé shape doesn’t disturb the overall appearance of the Q5 which has been more evolutionary than revolutionary to ensure not to upset the apple cart that keeps it at the top of the sales charts. Like everything with the Q5, it’s very subtle, but enough to stand out in the average uptown parking lot.

Inside is pure Q5, as expected. Quality materials are found everywhere as stitched leather roams freely with metal and Alcantara trim accents. The build quality is there as the angular dashboard is uncluttered by buttons. Those physical buttons that do remain operate with that tactility only the Germans tend to get right. Premium is the word from entry with lit door handles and door scuff plates greet occupants. The square bottom steering and supportive seats add a sporty nature to the Q5 that has already been increased with its Sportback design.

Despite the rakish rear roofline, the cabin hasn’t suffered any perceptible loss of practicality. There’s a great sense of space made even better under the available ambient lighting or the full panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers and trunk capacity aren’t impacted significantly by the ode to the sports coupé. It’s still an SUV, so storage is abundant. In usual Audi fashion it’s the small things that elevate its experience. Touch sensitive controls, rubber lined door pockets, and heated side mirrors to name a few go a long way to make the Q5 feel even more premium than the quiet cabin does. Audi’s MMI system continues to be one of the best on the market. Touch, talk, connect with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, charge via USB, it does all smoothly, quickly and intuitively through any of the two screens, the main infotainment or the Audi Virtual Cockpit ahead of the driver.

On the road, the chassis and engine deliver the goods. As a diesel, a trait it hides well from inside the vehicle with near whisper quiet operation outside to boot, how it deploys its character is up to the driver. There’s no efficiency mode like gas-powered Audis; that’s because, left to its own devices, the Q5 Sportback can hit 48 mpg. Fill the tank and the turbocharged torque of the diesel motor makes low speed driving as effortless as pushing a feather, especially when all the automated driving features are activated. For example, forget about ever having to touch the headlights again. As standard the OLED headlights, not only can be set to auto on and off, but can auto dip between low and high beam, and if that’s not enough it can turn off sections as to not blind oncoming traffic keeping the road illuminated properly for the driver.

It’s not all boring efficiency for the Q5. It looks like a sports coupé, so it does offer up some driving dynamics to get the blood flowing from time to time. Step deep into the pedal or use DYANAMIC mode and the turbocharged engine ignores its fuel efficiency mantra, pushing its 190bhp and 236 lb/ft of torque through the quick shifting seven-speed S tronic transmission and onto the road with the surefootedness of Quattro all-wheel drive. Just as important, the chassis is never harsh, having a compliant suspension that causes it to dance over the imperfections on the road and corner with confidence. All this, and no clue to its diesel nature other than the 720-kilometre range with a full tank and the maximum 4,500 rpm redline for the engine.

Once again the Q5 hits the right targets.

FINAL WORD

MODEL: 2023 Audi Q5 40TDI Quattro Sportback

ENGINE: 2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder — 190bhp/236lb/ft

DRIVETRAIN: seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission/all-wheel drive

SUMMARY: The Q5, just prettier.