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2020 Audi A5

Starting at $43,895

7.5/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2020 audi a5 coupe
Audi
7.5/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Heroic cornering confidences, plenty of power from turbo four, surprisingly big trunk.
  • Lows Many driver-assistance features not standard, no manual transmission, missing the lux-factor.
  • Verdict With a spacious cabin, a tech-rich features list, and handsome styling, the A5 is a sporty two-door with real presence.
By Drew Dorian

Overview

Coupes are a dying breed, with shoppers focused instead on SUVs and sedans, but Audi's 2020 A5 coupe and cabriolet offer roomy cabins with decent-size trunks to help auto enthusiasts justify the purchase to themselves and disapproving spouses. Both come with a gutsy turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a host of tech features that will keep futurists happy. The A5's athletic chassis makes it a playful partner on a twisty road but it can still bring home the bacon—literally—with plenty of cargo space and a rear seat that can actually accommodate adult riders.

What's New for 2020?

The two-door Audi A5 coupe and convertible both receive a visual refresh for 2020. A new grille, updated front and rear bumpers, and new tailpipes are styling highlights that help the 2020 model stand apart from the 2019. Inside, a new 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen replaces last year's 7.0- and 8.3-inch displays and runs updated software. Coupe models are now available with the S Line interior appearance package, which includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather and faux-suede upholstered seats, brushed aluminum trim, and stainless steel sport pedals.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Premium coupe
$43,895
Premium Plus coupe
$47,695
Premium cabriolet
$50,895
Prestige coupe
$53,595
Premium Plus cabriolet
$54,695
Prestige cabriolet
$60,595

The choice between the hardtop coupe and the convertible is a tough one, but choosing between one of three distinct trims is pretty easy. We'd go with a mid-range Premium Plus model, which adds niceties such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, push-button ignition, passive keyless entry, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and much more. The convertible cabriolet body style adds $7000 to the bottom line versus the coupe, but if you live in the sunbelt region it might be money well spent.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Making 248 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the A5 has the potency one expects from a sporty two-door. Around town, the A5 asserts itself nicely when dicing with traffic, never feeling sluggish or underpowered. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission snaps off quick shifts with very little interruption to power delivery. In our testing, the coupe proved to be downright quick, sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds—0.5 second behind the 400-hp Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. Composed and planted when cruising, the A5 comes alive on twisty roads; accurate, well-weighted steering highlights the suspension's agility, and the A5 is very easy to drive quickly. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system helps, too, providing plenty of grip.

2020 audi a5 cabrioletView Photos
Audi

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the 2020 A5 coupe will earn 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The convertible version sees both those numbers drop by 1 mpg. It's also worth mentioning that the coupe and convertible from the previous model year had higher government estimates of 23 mpg city and 34 highway. While we haven't tested either 2020 A5 on our real-world highway fuel-economy route, we last evaluated an A5 coupe that returned 33 mpg during that test.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Stylish, modern, and well built, the A5's cabin is spacious and comfortable, and the design will surely stand the test of time. The A5's cabin oozes quality from every panel. In our Premium Plus test car, finely grained, soft-touch plastics mingled with textured aluminum trim. As you slide behind the thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a motorized arm pushes the seatbelt within easy reach of your left shoulder. The seat bottoms are narrow but provide enough comfort and support for long highway journeys, and a manual thigh extension should satisfy the long-legged. Everything looks and feels well built, durable, and solid. The only missing attribute is a sense of actual luxury. There is a lack of attention paid to padding on the armrests, while other high-end touches are simply missing, such as heated rear seats or a power-adjustable steering wheel. The coupe's roomy trunk and flexible, flat-folding rear seatbacks provide an unexpected amount of cargo capacity: We fit 16 carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats folded. It's too bad the various storage bins and cubbies don't follow the same convention. You'll easily find places for smartphones, snacks, and other small items, but bulkier objects such as oversize water bottles will be left without homes.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Audi offers plenty of infotainment features as standard on all A5 models, including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, power outlets, and USB connectivity. A 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen is a floating element atop the A5's dashboard and features both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Navigation is optional, as is a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The A5 hasn't been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Top Safety Pick award. It's worth noting that automated emergency braking is standard, which speaks to Audi's attention to safety. Key safety features include:

  • Standard forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking
  • Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
  • Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Audi's standard warranty is average for the segment, matching many of its rivals in coverage and exceeding none. At first glance, the offer of a year of free scheduled maintenance looks like a decent perk, but it only covers the first visit and expires once the odometer hits 10,000 miles.

  • Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
  • No complimentary scheduled maintenance

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