Audi Q5 Sportback: which version to buy
If the question is which Audi Q5 Sportback to choose, the numbers split the catalogue into two jobs. First generation (May 2020–January 2025, SUV Coupe, six versions) is the only place to buy a six-cylinder diesel and the only place with city/highway fuel figures measured on every TDI and TFSI MHEV.
If the question is which Audi Q5 Sportback to choose, the numbers split the catalogue into two jobs. First generation (May 2020–January 2025, SUV Coupe, six versions) is the only place to buy a six-cylinder diesel and the only place with city/highway fuel figures measured on every TDI and TFSI MHEV. Second generation (from December 2024, still in production, SUV Coupe, six versions) is the only place with FWD, the only measured 4.5 s 0–100 km/h, and the only listed 250 km/h plug-in pair. Power across both generations runs from 163 hp (`35 TDI MHEV S tronic`) to 367 hp (`55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` and `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`). There is no price data here, so “extra money” means extra kilograms, extra litres of tank, extra hp, extra seconds, or a missing measurement.
Generations: what actually changed
1 generation (May 2020–January 2025) is six SUV Coupe versions, all AWD, all Front, transverse Turbo engines, all Euro 6. Four of six start in May 2020; the two Plug-in versions start in February 2021. Gearboxes are mixed: one Automatic 8 (`50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic`) and five Robotic 7. Combined consumption is measured on every version (1.5–7.4 l/100 km). City and highway figures are measured on the four non-plug-in versions and not measured on both Plug-in versions. Gross weight is measured only on the two Plug-in versions (2660 kg). Ground clearance is not measured on any version. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version.
2 generation (from December 2024, stop not measured) is again six SUV Coupe versions, but drive is no longer uniform: one FWD (`2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic`) and five AWD. Every gearbox is Automatic 7. Diesel is reduced to one four-cylinder line. Combined consumption is measured on five of six versions and not measured on `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`. City and highway consumption are not measured on any second-generation version. Euro 6 is not measured on any second-generation version. Wheels are measured only on two versions.
The overlap window is December 2024–January 2025: both generations exist at once. After January 2025 only second generation continues.
Engine specs: horsepower, torque, displacement
| Version | Gen | hp | Nm | cc | Fuel | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic | 1 | 286 | 620 | 2967 | Diesel | 6 V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic 8 | AWD |
| 40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic | 1 | 204 | 400 | 1968 | Diesel | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 7 | AWD |
| 35 TDI MHEV S tronic | 1 | 163 | 370 | 1968 | Diesel | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 7 | AWD |
| 45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic | 1 | 265 | 370 | 1984 | Gasoline 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 7 | AWD |
| 50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic | 1 | 299 | 450 | 1984 | Plug-in 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 7 | AWD |
| 55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic | 1 | 367 | 500 | 1984 | Plug-in 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 7 | AWD |
| 2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic | 2 | 204 | 340 | 1984 | Gasoline 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | FWD |
| 2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic | 2 | 204 | 340 | 1984 | Gasoline 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic | 2 | 268 | 400 | 1984 | Gasoline 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic | 2 | 367 | 400 | 1984 | Plug-in 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic | 2 | 299 | 450 | 1984 | Plug-in 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| 2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic | 2 | 204 | 400 | 1968 | Diesel | 4 Inline | Turbo | Automatic 7 | AWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` 82.8 hp/l; `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` 96.4 hp/l; both 204 hp diesels (`40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` and `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`) 103.7 hp/l; both 204 hp gasoline mild hybrids 102.8 hp/l; `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` 133.6 hp/l; `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` 135.1 hp/l; both 299 hp Plug-in versions 150.7 hp/l; both 367 hp Plug-in versions 185.0 hp/l.
The 2967 cc V-shaped 6 of `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` is the only engine that is not 1968 or 1984 cc. It also has the catalogue’s highest torque: 620 Nm at 1750 rpm, which is 120 Nm above `55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` (500 Nm) and 220 Nm above `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` (400 Nm) despite 81 fewer hp than those 367 hp Plug-in versions.
Direct injection (direct) is listed on every version except `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`, where the feed system is not measured. Compression ratio is not measured on the four first-generation non-plug-in versions; it is 9.6 on both first-generation Plug-in versions, 12.5 on both second-generation 204 hp TFSI mild hybrids, 10.5 on `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` and on `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`, 12 on `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`, and 15.5 on `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`. Bore × stroke is not measured on the four first-generation non-plug-in versions; Plug-in and second-generation gasoline versions share 82.5 x 92.8; the second-generation diesel is 81 x 95.5.
Performance and mpg: 0–100, top speed, consumption
0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest:
- `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`: 4.5 s
- `55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic`: 5.3 s
- `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic`: 5.7 s
- `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` and `50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic`: 6.1 s each
- `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` and `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`: 6.2 s each
- `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`: 7.2 s
- `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`: 7.4 s
- `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic`: 7.6 s
- `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic`: 8.6 s
- `35 TDI MHEV S tronic`: 9 s
The second-generation 367 hp Plug-in is 0.8 s faster than the first-generation 367 hp Plug-in at the same 367 hp and 35 kg less kerb weight (2040 vs 2075 kg). The two 204 hp second-generation gasoline versions differ only in drive: AWD (`2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`) is 1.4 s faster than FWD (`2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic`) at the cost of 60 kg (1910 vs 1850 kg) and 0.2 l/100 km less combined fuel (6.9 vs 7.1). The 204 hp diesel pair is close: first-generation `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` 7.6 s vs second-generation `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 7.4 s, with kerb weight up 145 kg (1825 to 1970 kg).
Top speed is 240 km/h on four first-generation versions (`50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic`, `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic`, both Plug-in), 222 km/h on `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic`, 213 km/h on `35 TDI MHEV S tronic`. Second generation: 250 km/h on both e-hybrid versions, 226 km/h on both 204 hp TFSI mild hybrids and on the TDI, 210 km/h on `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` — 30 km/h below first-generation `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` despite 3 more hp (268 vs 265).
Combined consumption, lowest measured to highest: both first-generation Plug-in versions 1.5 l/100 km; `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` 4.7; `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` 5.3; `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` 6.7 (same figure as `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`); `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 6.9; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic` 7.1; `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` 7.4; `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 8.8; `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` 9.4. Combined consumption for `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` is not measured.
City / highway (l/100 km) exist only in first generation: `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` 5.4 / 4.3; `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` 6.2 / 4.8; `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` 8.4 / 5.7; `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` 9.1 / 6.3. Both first-generation Plug-in versions and every second-generation version: city not measured, highway not measured.
CO2: first generation 42 g/km on both Plug-in versions, 123 on `35 TDI MHEV S tronic`, 163 on `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic`, 176 on `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic`, 189 on `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic`. Second generation: 177 on `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic`, 199 on `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`; not measured on the other four.
Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels
Ground clearance is not measured on any of the twelve versions.
Kerb weight, lightest to heaviest: `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` 1755 kg; `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` 1775; `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` 1825; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic` 1850; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 1910; `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` and `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` both 1955; `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 1970; `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 2040; both first-generation Plug-in versions 2075; `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 2150 kg (heaviest in the catalogue, 395 kg above `35 TDI MHEV S tronic`).
Weight per horsepower (kg/hp): `55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` 5.65; `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 5.56; `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` 6.70; `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` 6.84; `50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` 6.94; `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 7.19; `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` 7.29; `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` 8.95; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic` 9.07; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 9.36; `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 9.66; `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` 10.77.
Gross weight is measured on: both first-generation Plug-in versions 2660 kg; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic` 2460; `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 2535; `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` 2610; `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` 2595. Not measured on: `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic`, `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic`, `35 TDI MHEV S tronic`, `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic`, `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic`, `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic`.
Tank: 70 l on the four first-generation non-plug-in versions; 54 l on both first-generation Plug-in versions; 65 l on the four second-generation non-e-hybrid versions; 55 l on both second-generation e-hybrids. First-generation Plug-in tanks are 16 l smaller than first-generation TDI/TFSI; second-generation e-hybrid tanks are 10 l smaller than second-generation TFSI/TDI.
Wheels: not measured on ten versions. `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` lists 255/45 R20 and 255/40 R21. `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` lists 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, 255/45 R20, 255/40 R21.
Chassis labels that do not differentiate versions: Independent, spring front and rear; Ventilated disc front; Disc rear on all twelve.
Which version to choose
Need the lowest measured 0–100 in the whole Q5 Sportback line: `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` (2 generation, Plug-in, 367 hp, 400 Nm, 4.5 s, 250 km/h, 2040 kg, combined 8.8 l/100 km, CO2 199, tank 55 l, wheels 255/45 R20 and 255/40 R21). Compared with first-generation `55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` at the same 367 hp: 0.8 s faster, 10 km/h more top speed, 35 kg lighter, 100 Nm less torque (400 vs 500), combined 8.8 vs 1.5 l/100 km, CO2 199 vs 42, tank 55 vs 54 l. Those two consumption/CO2 pairs are not interchangeable: first generation published 1.5 / 42, second generation published 8.8 / 199.
Need the same 367 hp on a first-generation car: `55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` (299+68 hp above `50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` at identical 2075 kg, 2660 kg gross, 54 l tank, 1.5 l/100 km combined, 42 g/km CO2, 6.1 vs 5.3 s). The extra 68 hp buys 0.8 s and 50 Nm (500 vs 450). City and highway on both Plug-in versions are not measured.
Need torque more than horsepower, and a six-cylinder diesel: only `50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic` (1 generation, 286 hp, 620 Nm, 2967 cc, Automatic 8, 5.7 s, 240 km/h, combined 6.7, city 8.4, highway 5.7, CO2 176, 1955 kg, 70 l). It is 0.4 s slower than first-generation 367 hp Plug-in and 1.2 s slower than second-generation 367 hp e-hybrid, with 81 fewer hp than both, but 120–220 Nm more. Gross weight, ground clearance and wheels are not measured.
Need diesel economy with four cylinders, first generation: `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` is the lightest (1755 kg) and the slowest (9 s, 213 km/h) with the lowest non-plug-in combined figure (4.7) and the lowest CO2 among non-plug-in versions (123). Stepping to `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic` adds 41 hp, 30 Nm, 70 kg, 1.4 s off 0–100 (7.6 vs 9), 9 km/h top speed, 0.6 l/100 km combined, 40 g/km CO2. Both are AWD Robotic 7, 1968 cc, 70 l, Euro 6.
Need diesel in second generation: only `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` (204 hp, 400 Nm, 7.4 s, 226 km/h, combined 6.7, CO2 177, 1970 kg, gross 2595, tank 65 l, four wheel sizes). Versus `40 TDI MHEV quattro S tronic`: same 204 hp and 400 Nm, 0.2 s faster, 4 km/h more top speed, 145 kg heavier, combined 6.7 vs 5.3, CO2 177 vs 163, tank 65 vs 70. City/highway and Euro class on the second-generation TDI are not measured.
Need gasoline without a plug, first generation: only `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` (265 hp, 370 Nm, 6.1 s, 240 km/h, combined 7.4, city 9.1, highway 6.3, CO2 189, 1775 kg, 70 l). It matches first-generation `50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` on 0–100 (6.1 s) and top speed (240) at 300 kg less kerb weight, with 34 fewer hp and 80 Nm less, and 7.4 vs 1.5 combined.
Need gasoline without a plug, second generation: three versions share 1984 cc Inline 4 Turbo 95 Automatic 7.
- `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic` is the only FWD Q5 Sportback: 204 hp, 340 Nm, 8.6 s, 226 km/h, combined 7.1, 1850 kg, gross 2460, tank 65 l. CO2, Euro class, city, highway, ground clearance, wheels: not measured.
- `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` is the same 204 hp / 340 Nm with AWD: 7.2 s (1.4 s faster), 226 km/h, combined 6.9 (0.2 less), 1910 kg (+60), gross 2535 (+75).
- `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` adds 64 hp and 60 Nm (268 / 400) versus those 204 hp twins: 6.2 s (1.0 s faster than the AWD 204, 2.4 s faster than FWD), but top speed falls to 210 km/h (16 km/h below the 204 hp pair), combined rises to 9.4, kerb weight 1955 kg. Power rpm and torque rpm are not measured. Gross weight, CO2, Euro class, city, highway, wheels: not measured.
Versus first-generation `45 TFSI MHEV quattro S tronic` (265 hp, 6.1 s, 240 km/h, 7.4 combined, 1775 kg): `2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic` has 3 more hp, 30 more Nm, 0.1 s slower, 30 km/h less top speed, 2.0 l/100 km more combined, 180 kg more.
Need a 299 hp Plug-in: first-generation `50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic` (299 hp, 450 Nm, 6.1 s, 240 km/h, 1.5 combined, 42 CO2, 2075 kg, gross 2660, 54 l) versus second-generation `50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` (299 hp, 450 Nm, 6.2 s, 250 km/h, combined not measured, CO2 not measured, 2150 kg, gross not measured, 55 l). Same hp and Nm; second generation is 0.1 s slower, 10 km/h faster on top speed, 75 kg heavier.
If the buyer’s constraint is measured city mpg: first generation only, and only the four non-plug-in versions. Lowest city is `35 TDI MHEV S tronic` at 5.4 l/100 km.
If the constraint is a 70 l tank: first-generation non-plug-in four only.
If the constraint is listed wheels before purchase: second-generation `55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic` or `2.0 TDI Mild Hybrid plus quattro ultra S tronic` only.
If the constraint is FWD: only `2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid plus S tronic`.
Problems and reliability are not measured in this dataset; the comparison above is only the twelve named versions and the figures attached to them.