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- Highs A rewarding drive, punchy turbo four-cylinder, generous cargo space.
- Lows No manual transmission option, narrow front seating area, options add up.
- Verdict The two-door A5 is like a better-looking A4 sedan, but with less rear seat space.
Overview
Offered as a hard-shell coupe or droptop convertible, the Audi A5 is a four-seat two-door that sports an elegant design and a sizeable cargo hold. While we review the four-door A5 Sportback separately, all A5 models—regardless of door count—feature standard all-wheel-drive and share a 261-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that mates to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Those in search of additional power can step up to the 349-hp S5, which cranks up the two-door’s dynamic performance but costs nearly $10,000 more. (Audi also offers the coupe in 444-hp RS 5 form. Plan on dropping north of $75,000 for this model.)
The A5, however, delivers an entertaining drive without the harsher ride of its more powerful kin. Although its driver-centric cabin forgoes some expected comforts, such as adequately padded armrests, the A5’s generous cargo space makes it a surprisingly practical and well-rounded choice.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
What's New for 2023?
Audi makes several equipment changes to the A5 for 2023. All A5s now include standard S line exterior design decor, illuminated door sills, gray oak natural wood inlays, sport front seats, Matrix-design LED headlights, and new 18-inch wheels. Premium Plus models now include a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Black Optic Plus package brings a black rear lip, spoiler, and exhaust tips, while the Convenience package now includes adaptive cruise control. A new Audi Sport interior package is available, as well, and it adds red stitching and carbon inlays from the RS5. Finally, Chronos Gray replaces the A5’s previously available Quantum Gray exterior paint color.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We recommend the mid-range Premium Plus trim level as it's the best balance of features and price. It comes with nice-to-haves such as the company's digital gauge display, keyless entry with push-button start, and a wireless charging pad. The hardest decision here is whether to go topless or not, but we ultimately think it’s best to stick with the less expensive coupe.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
While we haven't driven the 2023 A5, which uses a 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, we have tested the A5 with its earlier 248-hp engine. Even with 13 fewer horses, the A5 output proved to be downright quick, sprinting to 60 mph in just 5.0-seconds—just six-tenths of a 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 complements the suspension's agility, and the A5 is easy to drive quickly. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system helps, too, aiding the chassis' balance and providing faultless power delivery out of tight corners.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The A5 coupe is expected to earn 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, but the city rating drops to 23 mpg for the drop-top variant. Once we run the A5 models on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, we can evaluate their real-world mpg. For more information about the A5's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Stylish, modern, and well built, the A5's cabin is a comfortable place to while away miles. Well, at least for those up—the rear seat is tight. Nonetheless, the interior design will surely stand the test of time. The A5's insides ooze 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 leather-wrapped steering wheel, a motorized arm pushes the seatbelt forward to 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 beautifully assembled, durable, and solid. The only missing attribute is a sense of luxury. The armrests are thinly padded, 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, though. We also fit 16 carry-on suitcases inside with the rear seats folded. It's too bad the various storage bins and cubbies aren't as useful. 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 standard infotainment features on all A5 models, including Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and USB connectivity. A 10.1-inch touchscreen is a floating element atop the A5's dashboard. The infotainment setup is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is optional, as is a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
It's worth noting that automated emergency braking and lane-departure warning are standard, but the A5's more desirable driver-assistance features remain options.
For more information about the A5's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward collision warning with automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Audi's warranty is average for the segment, matching many of its rivals in coverage but exceeding none.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
