Audi Q5 2021 review: Sport snapshot

For the 2021 model year Audi has mixed up the naming conventions in its range. The base car is now simply called the Q5, while this mid-spec car is called the Sport.

The Sport can be chosen with one of two engines, either the 40 TDI 2.0-litre turbo diesel, wearing a before on-road cost (MSRP) of $74,900, and the 45 TFSI 2.0-litre turbo petrol wears an MSRP of $76,600.

Both engine options in the updated Q5 range are now mild-hybrids via a 12-volt lithium-ion system, and power has been tweaked with the 40 TDI now producing 150kW/400Nm and the 45 TFSI producing 183kW/370Nm.

Explore the 2021 Audi Q5 range

• Audi Q5 2021 review: Sport snapshot
• Audi Q5 2021 review: S-Line snapshot
• Audi Q5 2021 review
• Audi Q5 2022 review: 35 TDI
• Audi Q5 2024 review: 55 TFSI e quattro S line

This car’s arch-rivals come in the form of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3, but there are other alternatives, including the Range Rover Velar and Lexus RX.

The Q5 Sport adds on the base car’s already good-value equipment list, featuring a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen with the brand’s latest software, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto support, the ever-impressive ‘Virtual Cockpit’ digital instrument cluster, 20-inch alloy wheels, electric front seats with improved leather appointed trim, an electric tailgate, three-zone climate control, and LED head- and taillights.

Specific items to the Sport grade include new 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, heated and auto dimming rear vision mirrors, a 360-degree camera suite with auto parking, sportier seats with heating and memory function for front passengers, black headlining, and a premium audio system.

The Sport also adds more advanced collision avoidance systems like swerve assist and adaptive cruise control to the standard safety suite, which includes freeway speed auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, driver attention alert and rear cross traffic alert.

Official/combined fuel consumption for the 40 TDI is remarkably low at 5.7L/100km, while the 45 TFSI has a combined consumption figure of 8.0L/100km. The 45 TFSI requires mid-grade 95RON unleaded fuel and has a large 73-litre tank, while the diesel versions have 70-litre tanks.

All Q5 have Audi’s ‘Quattro Ultra’ all-wheel drive system, which the brand says drives all four wheels most of the time, as opposed to some on-demand systems, which only drive the rear wheels in the event of traction loss.

Audi continues to offer a three-year and unlimited kilometre warranty, now falling behind Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Genesis in the luxury segment.

Service packs can be purchased at the same time as the vehicle, offering unusually affordable service pricing for the segment. Five years of coverage for the 40 TDI costs $3160 or $632 a year, and for the 45 TFSI costs $2720 or $544 a year.