This Audi Q5 Sportback is the first Volkswagen Group TDI I’ve test driven in more than four years. So, elephant-in-the-room time. Back in 2015, when I was working at a specialist automotive publication, Volkswagen Group faced its darkest hour when the dieselgate scandal broke. At first, like many of my colleagues, I thought the whole thing was completely overplayed. Diesel-powered cars are a wonderful mobility solution for the vast distances of South Africa. And the emissions tests dreamed up by bureaucrats are arguably too strict. So, which side to pick?
Then, of course, when the full gamut of the systematic cheating was exposed, the fallout was simply catastrophic. Billions of Euros in fines, resignations by executives, even jail time. Moreover, I recently read a book on the scandal and can fully appreciate it was ‘clean diesel’ deception of the buying public – particularly in America – that was particularly despicable. If the group hadn’t gone to such great lengths to lie and cheat in pursuit of profits, tens of thousands of NOx-emitting TDIs would not have made it onto the roads. Hmm, very conflicted here.
2025 AUDI Q5 SPORTBACK TDI
And yet here we are in 2025 and I’m driving one of the finest, most well-rounded SUVs in recent years, which just so happens to be diesel powered. So much for that terminal blow to TDI’s reputation. Having said that, I’ve noted three somewhat telling things on the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI. One, there are no visible exhaust outlets. Of course, there is a pipe somewhere. But unlike more than a decade ago, it’s hidden away deep beneath the rear of the vehicle. Secondly, the test unit I’ve been driving is completely de-badged. There’s no TDI to be found anywhere on it. And, thirdly, there’s no ‘ECO’ driving mode. It’s like execs had a meeting and said, let’s not draw any attention to ourselves in these three departments.
Nevertheless, can we call the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback TDI the renaissance of diesel? Well, if not a full rehabilitation, it does show Audi’s lingering fondness, let’s say, for diesel. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine under the bonnet now incorporates a sophisticated twin-dosing Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. The tech reduces NOx emissions by up to 80% compared to previous generations. And this isn’t just marketing speak, it’s been independently tested to verify the data.
RANGE FOR DAYS
Okay, enough about emissions already, I hear you say. Instead, lets acknowledge what a wonderful engine this is. 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque is delivered effortlessly and frugally. But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story, because the 40 TDI is remarkably quiet and refined in this iteration. I genuinely had to double check it wasn’t actually a petrol. FYI, the telltale if you’re not sure is to always consult the rev counter. A 4 500 rpm redline is the giveaway.
The confusion comes in the way this engine delivers its power and torque so seamlessly from 1 750 to 3 800 rpm. It’s comfortable and effortlessly quick in real-world driving conditions. Zero to 100 km/h in a tested 8.2 seconds. A seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission matches the diesel’s narrow torque band sweetly. And the road-biased quattro all-wheel-drive means easy progress regardless of road conditions, without a hefty fuel bill.
TDI FUEL SIPPER
During my time with the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback, I strapped a surfboard to the roof racks, and had another comfortably inside the cabin, for a peninsula cruise in search of waves. The several hundred kilometres I covered included urban streets and plenty of mountain passes. The average fuel economy was above claimed but still remarkable nonetheless. I recorded 7.2 l/100 km, giving a theoretical distance just shy of 1 000 km real-world range from the tank. This kind of efficiency means fewer stops on long journeys and longer gaps between regular refills.
Better still, the Q5 Sportback’s chassis tuning complements the package perfectly. The standard adaptive suspension provides a plush ride in Comfort mode, while firming up appropriately in Dynamic. Body control is excellent for a vehicle of this size, with minimal roll through corners and impressive stability at high speeds. The steering, while not brimming with feedback, is precise and decently weighted. In fact, the electric assistance lock-to-lock is very good for, yet again, an effortless feel at urban speeds.
EXEMPLARY CABIN
Inside, Audi’s MMI touch interface takes pride of place on the dash. The 10.1-inch central display is now nicely integrated into the dashboard design, with an intuitive user interface. As before, Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus remains a winner, offering crisp graphics. Material quality is, as expected from Audi, exemplary. The mixture of leather, gloss black plastic and aluminum creates an atmosphere of understated luxury. The Sportback’s sloping roofline does impact rear headroom slightly, but at over six foot, I could still sit comfortably in the back. Cargo space remains practical at 510 litres with the rear seats up. And, as mentioned, it’ll take a six-foot surfboard easily with the front seat moved slightly forward.
In terms of mod cons, the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback we reviewed came with precious few add-ons. Blindspot monitoring and front collision warning is par for the course on any premium car. But we always enjoy testing additional features like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. The 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback already makes every-day commuting effortless, so anything to render commuting even less stressful would be a win in our books.
THE VERDICT
After spending considerable time hunting waves on swell-starved days, and running numerous errands, it’s clear the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback TDI quattro has still got it. It’s a great SUV, full stop. And its refinement and effortless efficiency certainly makes a compelling case for diesel technology in premium SUVs. However, marginalised, the 2025 Q5 Sportback TDI quattro proves that diesel still has a place in the South African automotive landscape. Is it enough to completely rehabilitate diesel’s reputation globally? Perhaps not. But, if like me, you’re willing to look beyond the past and move on, the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback TDI certainly makes a compelling argument for itself.
THE FIGURES
- 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S Line
- Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
- Power: 140 kW @ 3 800 rpm, 400 Nm @ 1 750 rpm
- Performance: 0-100 km/h 8.2 seconds (tested)
- Tyres: 255/45 R20 Michelin Latitude
- Economy: 6.2 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.2 l/100 km (tested)
- Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Price: R1 087 200 (starting from)
WOULD YOU BUY A TDI?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. Or WhatsApp your thoughts on this article to 060 011 0211. Don’t forget to follow The South African for the latest FREE-to-read content.
