Review - Audi A5

Today we’re going to take a close look at Audi’s mid-size sedan, the A5 lineup, and see how it stacks up against its key competitors and determine how much value is on offer in the purchase of a new Audi A5. 

Just how good is the Audi A5 range in terms of driving comfort, practicality, features, fuel economy and safety? Let’s find out.

Starting Price: $71,900

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Audi A5 (40 TFSI S LINE MHEV) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Audi A5 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Audi A5 lineup kicks off at $71,900 for the entry-level A5 40 TFSI coupe, which is also available in a Sportback design for the same price. From here, the range moves to the A5 45 TFSI Quattro, which is priced from $79,900 with the Sportback variant receiving the same price tag. The A5 40 TFSI Cabriolet is priced from $85,400 while the more powerful 45 TFSI Quattro comes with a $93,400 price tag. 

From here, the range moves to the S-Line and RS variants, which add significantly more power and luxurious features to the mix. The S5 Coupe and Sportback Quattro are priced from $106,900, while the S5 Cabriolet Quattro is priced from $120,400. Finally, the range-topping Audi RS5 Coupe and Sportback are priced from $150,900; keep in mind that all the prices listed here are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Audi A5 Have?

As standard, the entry-level Audi A5 40 TFSI comes riding on 19-inch alloys, and is packaged with a 12.3-inch display for the driver and 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ and satellite navigation, paired with a 10-speaker audio system with wireless smartphone charging. The base model also receives Matrix LED headlights with adaptive highbeam and dynamic cornering functions, as well as a 360-degree camera, reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, powered front seats, ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, automatic wipers and lights, adaptive cruise control,  semi-autonomous parking assistance and a heap of safety equipment as standard. 

Stepping up to the A5 Cabriolet adds features like heated front seats with neck warmers mounted near the headrest, as well as microphones on the seatbelts and a retractable hardtop roof that opens in speeds up to 50km/h in 15 seconds, and closes in just 18 seconds. The Audi A5 45 TFSI receives a heads-up display, as well as an upgraded engine over the entry-level 40 TFSI. 

Audi allows buyers to option their vehicle with adaptive suspension, as well as the choice of opting for Audi’s S Line and Premium Plus packages. The Premium Plus pack adds an upgraded 19-speaker surround sound system from Bang & Olufsen, adjustable ambient lighting, sunroof, privacy glass, head-up display as well as Audi’s laser light high-beams. 

The S Line package adds a set of larger, 20-inch alloys, as well as a sports steering wheel finished with red contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped gear lever as well as upgraded Nappa leather upholstery and stainless steel pedals. 

Range Features: 

• 19-inch alloys 
• 10.1-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ and satellite navigation
• 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display 
• Automatic, adaptive Matrix LED headlights 
• 360-degree camera 
• Adaptive cruise control
• Wireless smartphone charging 
• Ambient lighting 
• Leather upholstery & steering wheel 
• 19-Speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system (Premium Plus package) 
• Sunroof (Premium Plus package) 
• 20-inch alloys (S Line package) 
• Nappa leather upholstery with sports steering wheel (S Line package)

Audi A5 Colours

Is the Audi A5 Comfortable to Drive?

It should come as no surprise that Audi’s A5 lineup offers an extremely high-level of ride comfort and quality; it’s something that you would expect from a car at this price point. The entry-level A5 40 TFSI has a punchy engine that doesn’t look amazing on paper, but on the road, it’s got more than enough push to get you up to speed on the highway, or while making a quick turn in the city. The 40 TFSI has a front-wheel drive platform, while the 45 TFSI receives Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. 

Opting for the more powerful variants means that acceleration is even more effortless which, combined with Audi’s slick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, makes driving an absolute pleasure. If you continue higher up into the range, namely the S5 and RS5 variants, performance is taken to another level completely, with massive amounts of performance on offer when the mood strikes, packaged in a car that can return to being quiet and refined with the click of a button. 

Overall, as an everyday car, the Audi A5 is supremely comfortable, and takes a lot of the stress and hassle out of your commute. In that regard, it’s close to faultless when it comes to the comfort and ease of driving behind the wheel of the A5. Keep in mind that the ride quality is quite firm, so that optional adaptive suspension package might be worth considering if you live on some rough B-roads. This is magnified in higher-spec models fitted with 20-inch alloys with low-profile rubber, which can transmit more bumps than you might want into the cabin. As a package, though, the A5 is an extremely comfortable car that well and truly justifies its price tag when it comes to the ride quality and comfort on offer. 

Is the Audi A5 Practical and Spacious? 

The front cabin of the A5 is extremely spacious, providing the driver and front passenger with a huge amount of space with some practical, and of course, luxurious touches to the cockpit design. The driver receives a digital display, while the front passenger can navigate the centrally-mounted touchscreen unit for navigation and entertainment, with access to central storage and large door bins on their side. Headroom up front is not an issue in any A5 variant, even in the Cabriolet, however this can’t be said for the rear of the cabin. While there’s adequate room for even tall adults in the rear of the A5, it’s not ground-breaking in terms of occupant space and comfort, especially when you consider the Sportback’s sloping rear roof design which can eat up the headroom on offer in the rear of the cabin. 

One of the biggest benefits of opting for the Sportback variant, though, is no doubt the practicality bonuses. The boot is designed as a hatchback, with an automatic lift that allows you to squeeze in significantly more cargo than you would into the opening of a traditional sedan’s boot. It also means that you can squeeze more cargo into the A5 Sportback’s boot than you can in any other A5 variant, with the Cabriolet offering 375L of boot storage, the sedan offering 450L and the Sportback offering a total of 480L of storage in the boot. All up, as an everyday drive, the Audi A5 provides a huge amount of comfort, refinement and genuine practicality, particularly for buyers that opt for the Sportback variant which accommodates more cargo than other A5 body types.   

Is the Audi A5 Safe? 

The Audi A5 range has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five star safety rating, scoring 89% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection. As standard, the A5 range comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a 360-degree surround view camera with front and rear parking sensors, as well as Audi’s semi-autonomous parking assistance feature that reduces low-speed bumps and scratches while parking. 

Is the Audi A5 Range Fuel Efficient?

The A5 range has official fuel economy ratings that range between 6.4L per 100km for the A5 40 TFSI coupe, while the Sportback consumes 6.5L per 100km and the Cabriolet is rated at 6.7L per 100km on a combined cycle. The more powerful A5 45 TFSI is rated at 7.1L per 100km in coupe and Sportback form, while the Cabriolet is slightly thirstier at 7.4L per 100km. More powerful variants like the S5 and RS5 return economy figures of 8.8L per 100km and 9.4L per 100km respectively. If economy is a key concern of yours, you should take a look at the entry-level A5 40 TFSI which returns the best official economy figures. 

Our Verdict: Is the Audi A5 Worth it? 

If you’re looking for a comfortable, competent and luxurious mid-sized sedan, the Audi A5 range holds its own against increasingly stiff competition from its German rivals like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as international entrants like Lexus, Jaguar and Genesis. As a complete package, the A5 ticks all the important boxes with confidence, and although the price of entry is quite lofty, it’s built and performs to such a high standard that it seemingly justifies this price tag without breaking a sweat. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty 
2. Boot space of 450L for coupe, 480L for Sportback and 375L for Cabriolet 
3. Entry-level 40 TFSI is front-wheel drive; AWD standard on 45 TFSI 
4. Three and five-year servicing packages available from $1,800 and $2,820 
5. Premium Plus and S Line packages available on all A5 variants 

Pros 

• Supremely comfortable 
• Modern technology meets classy interior features 
• Smooth engine and transmission combinations 

Cons

• Limited warranty conditions 
• Driver’s display can be overwhelming and distracting
• Ride quality suffers fitted with larger 20-inch alloys 

OnlineAuto Rating: 7.5/10

Audi A5 Competition