Used Audi Q5 Sportback cars for sale

Used Audi Q5 Sportback pros and cons

Is a second hand Audi Q5 Sportback a good car?

The Audi Q5 Sportback is an SUV with a sloping roofline that gives it a sportier look than the regular Q5 SUV. It’s no more fun to drive though, and the design means you get less boot space and headroom in the back than the regular Q5, but if that’s no worry for you then there’s a lot to love about this car.

For a start, the interior build quality is solid, so you know it’ll stand up to being poked and prodded by your kids. You get Audi’s excellent digital instrument panel, called Virtual Cockpit, and another tablet-like screen propped up on the dashboard. This is a bit small by most modern standards, but the graphics are clear and it’s easy to use, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included.

Space in the back seats is pretty good, but taller passengers will notice that the sloping roof means headroom isn’t fantastic. The boot loses some capacity too, dropping from 550 litres in the Q5 SUV to 510 litres in the Sportback. It should still be spacious enough for most, though.

There’s a good choice of engines, with the petrol options being the best all-rounders. However, if you do a lot of motorway miles then you should look to diesel, while plug-in hybrids are perfect if you can charge at home, though boot space is reduced to accommodate the batteries.

Out on the road the Audi Q5 Sportback is a relaxed and easy car to drive. The raised driving position gives a good view out of the front, and the suspension deals with bumps really well. On the motorway there are virtually no noises from outside. It’s fine on a twisty road, but its coupe-like styling does not translate to a sporty driving experience – a BMW X4 is better in this regard.

What to look for when buying a used Audi Q5 Sportback

Audi doesn’t have a brilliant reputation for reliability, and came 27th out of 32 manufacturers in the latest Driver Power Satisfaction Survey. The Q5 didn’t appear in the top 50 cars to own, either. 

Petrol engines appear to be a bit more reliable than diesel models, but whichever you go for, you’ll face pricey repairs if something does go wrong, so it could be worth looking at getting a used car warranty just in case.

Although there are no glaring issues to look out for, some owners have pointed to gearbox issues and problems with the electronics. When viewing a car, make sure you take it for a drive and check the automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, and have a poke and prod around to make sure the electrics all work properly.