What is a Sportback?
November 25, 2022//inHelp & Advice

What is a Sportback?

If you’re currently on the research stage of your car buying journey, you may have come across the term ‘Sportback’, particularly if Audi vehicles have made your shortlist. But what is a Sportback and what does it mean?

Put simply, Sportback is a vehicle body-shape used by Audi to represent their hatchbacks and SUVs that have a more aggressively sloping rear window. In more general terms, the car industry may refer to this shape as an ‘SUV Coupe’, combining the body shapes of both SUVs and coupes.

Audi SQ7 SUV

Audi SQ7 SUV

Audi SQ8 Sportback

Audi SQ8 Sportback

What are the advantages of a Sportback?

Thanks to a sloping rear window, Sportback vehicles offer a more aggressive stance than regular SUVs. These can help large SUVs to look less bulky and present a sportier appearance. They also help the vehicle to present a more unique look, helping it to stand out amongst most other SUVs on the road.

There may also be advantages in aerodynamics, although these don’t tend to be officially measured and reported.

Audi e-tron Sportback

Audi e-tron Sportback

What are the disadvantages of a Sportback?

Really the only disadvantage of a Sportback over a regular SUV may be the rear boot capacity. As the vehicles tend to be the same length as their SUV counterparts but with sloped rear windows, the vertical space at the rear suffers slightly. This would only be an issue if you were really maximising your bootload or perhaps on those times that you want to transport a large square/rectangular furniture item.

Note that one exception to this rule is the Audi Q3 range thanks to variations in dimensions.

Boot Capacity Comparisons

Boot capacity measurements shown in litres.

ModelRegular SUVSportbackDifference
Audi Q3410 (530 in S line & RS Q3)530+120 / 0
Audi Q5520 (510 in SQ5)510 (500 in SQ5)-20 (-10)
Audi e-tron660615-45
Audi e-tron SUV

Audi e-tron Sportback

Which models include a Sportback variant?

Audi vehicles that include Sportback variants span both the regular hatchback and SUV classes, including (as at November 2022 in New Zealand):

You can view more by discovering the Audi range.

This Canadian Audi dealership has put together a video to show more about the differences of a Sportback.

Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Where can I find more information?

Specsheets are great for detailing information on any new vehicle that you may be looking at, but Audi trained sales professionals are those with the most up-to-date information and in the best position to relate specifications to real world scenarios.

Contact our own Audi specialists or view our Audi range.

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