The Audi Q5 Sportback is a fairly new variant of the Q5, designed to evoke the sleek lines of a coupe and compete with the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe. The SQ5 Sportback, then, is a spicier version of that recipe.

The 2022 SQ5 Sportback gets much of the same design as the regular SQ5, with the same prominent honeycomb grille, dramatic lower intakes, and expressive front lighting. It’s north of the doorsill where everything changes. There, the SQ5 Sportback trades some cargo capacity and headroom for a sloped, windswept roof. It also gets its own unique rear fascia. If you want an even sportier look, Audi offers a Black Optic package, replete with bi-color wheels, summer tires, black exterior trim, and black exterior mirror housings.

Just like the SQ5, the SQ5 Sportback houses a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 worth a potent 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine bolts to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Adaptive dampers are standard on every SQ5 Sportback, but you can swap them for air suspension and/or dynamic steering for even greater handling. The SQ5 Sportback reaches 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, according to Audi.

The SQ5 Sportback’s base Premium trim comes standard with LED exterior lighting, combination-leather-and-textile upholstery, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power liftgate, power-folding and heated exterior mirrors, three-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a power tilt/telescoping steering column. There’s a Convenience Package that bundles keyless access, driver’s seat memory, satellite radio and a heated steering wheel.

The Premium Plus trim includes the Convenience Package, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and a system that enhances phone connectivity and reception. The top Prestige trim gets uprated LED headlights and taillights, heated rear seats, navigation, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. Even then, you can still add rear window shades, cooled front seats, and a sport package.

When it comes to safety, a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring are on the standard roster. You can then add a top-view camera system, full-speed adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, an intuitive head-up display, and traffic-sign recognition. Audi also offers rear-side thoracic airbags as a standalone option.

The Sportback body style, specifically, hasn’t been tested for crash safety. However, the standard Q5 and SQ5 have been evaluated by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the latter awarding it top honors.

The SQ5 Sportback asks you to sacrifice some interior space for a sleeker profile, which is a trade worth considering in a performance vehicle like this one.