Item: Audi A5
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of&nbsp;rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for,&nbsp;the Audi TT is a brilliant option. But the Mercedes CLA offers plenty of style and substance to match, while the Aston Martin DB11 will give you serious performance.

Coupe

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

We reckon the&nbsp;40 TFSI&nbsp;is the engine to go for. With that fitted, the Audi A5 Coupé&nbsp;is priced&nbsp;roughly on a par with an equivalent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">BMW 4 Series</a>, while a like-for-like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/coupe/review/n17151">Mercedes&nbsp;C Class Coupé</a>&nbsp;will cost you a little more. Unsurprisingly, the A5 commands a small premium over an equivalent A4 saloon, but the difference isn't huge.

For those looking to run an A5 as a company car, CO2 emissions will be just as important. There's relatively good news on that front: the most efficient diesel (the 35&nbsp;TDI in entry-level Sport trim) pumps out as little as&nbsp;125g/km. The 40 TFSI petrol engine&nbsp;is slightly cheaper and not that much&nbsp;less efficient, so that will be a better choice for many company car drivers.

Entry-level Sport trim is our favourite. It comes with 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control and cruise control. Bigger alloy wheels, sports suspension, more aggressive styling and part-leather seats&nbsp;are among the additions if you stump up for S line or Black Edition trim.

Unless you really want a sportier look, though, we wouldn’t bother – those trims push&nbsp;up the A5's price considerably. The stupendously lavish Vorsprung models are even more expensive, making them&nbsp;very hard to recommend.

As for safety, all versions of the A5 Coupé come with low-speed automatic emergency braking&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a>. The optional Tour Pack (standard on range-topping Vorsprung trim) adds high-speed emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance and various other active safety aids.

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Audi says it has intentionally made the A5 sportier&nbsp;than the A4 because that’s what buyers expect from a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/coupe">coupé</a>. The truth is, though, you’d be better off with a<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62"> BMW 4 Series</a> if you're looking for driving thrills.

The A5’s steering is precise, but it never really involves you in the process of going round corners, which is a pity given how much fun the smaller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Audi TT Coupé</a> is to drive. Mind you, the A5 grips the road well and there’s little body roll through bends – especially on models equipped with sports suspension.

Sports suspension comes as standard on S line and Black Edition trims, and while the set-up isn't bone-shakingly firm, you certainly feel bumps as they pass beneath the car. That doesn't particularly suit the A5's otherwise relaxed demeanour, and is one of the reasons we reckon entry-level Sport trim is the one to go for –&nbsp;it sits on softer ‘Comfort Dynamic’ suspension.

If you go for the outlandishly expensive Vorsprung trim, you get the option of stiffening or softening the suspension at your whim. When you choose the softest setting, you'll enjoy similar levels of comfort to that of Sport trim, but after making a much bigger hole in your bank balance. Whichever suspension you choose, the A5 doesn’t soak up potholes quite as adroitly as the A4.

Our pick of the engines is the 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol&nbsp;(badged 40 TFSI), which&nbsp;is suitably punchy and will cover 0-62mph in 7.1sec. The 242bhp version (45 TFSI), which is only available with four-wheel drive,&nbsp;doesn't feel that much quicker on the road (0-62mph takes 5.5sec) and we don't think it's&nbsp;worth the extra outlay.

We've yet to try the 148bhp version&nbsp;(35 TFSI) in the A5 Coupé, but in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/hatchback/review/n170">A5 Sportback</a> that engine needs to be worked quite hard to build speed in a hurry, covering 0-62mph in 8.9sec.

As for diesel engines, there's a choice of two, both 2.0 litres: the 35 TDI and 40 TDI. The former (which we've yet to try) has 161bhp, is front-wheel drive and does 0-62mph in 6.9sec. The latter packs 187bhp, gets four-wheel drive as standard and manages the same sprint in 8.2sec. The 40 TDI is really smooth for a diesel and plenty punchy enough, although the petrols are even quieter.

In other respects, the A5 is a peaceful cruiser, with hardly any wind noise to disturb&nbsp;the peace. Some road noise is noticeable over coarse surfaces, but it's kept to an acceptable level if you steer clear of the enormous 20in alloys you get with Black Edition and Vorsprung trims.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

http://example.com

35 TFSI

35-tfsi

40 TFSI 204

40-tfsi-204

We haven't tried this engine yet, but we'll let you know what it's like as soon as we can.

35 TDI

35-tdi

40 TDI 204 Quattro

40-tdi-204-quattro

This engine isn't currently offered in the Audi A5.

45 TFSI 265 Quattro

45-tfsi-265-quattro

S5 TDI 341 Quattro Vorsprung

s5-tdi-341-quattro-vorsprung

It’s best to think of the Audi A5 as a sleeker-looking but less practical version of the popular A4 saloon – and that's not&nbsp;meant to sound dismissive.

After all, the A4 is a former What Car? Car of the Year so it's&nbsp;a fantastic starting point for Audi to choose.&nbsp;What do you gain by having a higher number in the car's name but fewer doors? Well, that&nbsp;depends which&nbsp;A5 you go for.

In this review we're looking at the two-door, four-seat Coupé version. There's also a wind-in-your hair Cabriolet or, if you need rear doors, a more practical Sportback version. Alternatively, if it's outrageous performance you want, check out the rapid Audi RS5.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a6ORMZajTQg"></iframe>

The truth is, no matter which A5 you buy, it comes with the promise of a fantastic interior, silky smooth engines&nbsp;and decent level of equipment –&nbsp;just like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a> it’s based on.

The regular Audi A5 Coupé we’re focusing on here has a tough job on its hands as it's up against the&nbsp;incredibly impressive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">BMW 4 Series</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/coupe/review/n17151">Mercedes C Class Coupé</a>.&nbsp;So how does it stack up against those equally swoopy-looking alternatives, and where does the A5 stand out from other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/coupe">coupés</a>?

Over the next few pages, we'll tell you everything you need to know, including which of the A5's range of petrol and diesel engines you should choose, and which trim levels make the most sense. We have full separate reviews of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/sports/review/n17253">A5 Cabriolet</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/hatchback/review/n170">A5 Sportback</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs5/coupe/review/n17286">Audi RS5</a>.

If you decide it's&nbsp;the car for you, don't forget to check out the best prices available by using the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a> – it will help you easily and quickly find lots of excellent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi/a5/coupe/deals">Audi A5 deals</a>.

Audi is renowned for classy, minimalist interiors that are exquisitely finished, and the A5 Coupé doesn’t disappoint. Everything you touch feels classy and rock solid, and it beats the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/coupe/review/n17151">Mercedes&nbsp;C Class Coupé</a>&nbsp;for quality.

The driving position is tough to fault&nbsp;too, with plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment and a comfortable driver's seat that provides plenty of upper-back support, plus four-way electric adjustable&nbsp;lumbar support. Big, clearly marked buttons and dials make it easy to adjust&nbsp;the automatic air-conditioning, which comes as standard on every trim.

Sat-nav comes as standard on all trims, as does Audi's&nbsp;Virtual Cockpit – a 12.3in screen that sits behind the steering wheel where you'd normally expect to find analogue instrument dials. It's really useful, putting lots of important&nbsp;information – including your speed and fuel economy&nbsp;plus music playlists and navigation instructions – right in front of your eyes.

When this generation of A5 was launched back in 2016, all versions&nbsp;had a fantastically easy-to-use infotainment system, which you operated by twisting and pressing a rotary controller between the front seats. As&nbsp;part of the&nbsp;A5's facelift in early 2020, Audi decided to move to a touchscreen interface.

As touchscreens go, it's relatively well designed, with an intuitive operating system. There's no doubt, though, that it's more distracting to use when you're driving than the older system –&nbsp;or indeed the infotainment systems in the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">BMW 4 Series</a> and C Class Coupé.

You get plenty of standard gadgetry, though, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, wireless phone-charging and a DAB radio. It's worth considering the optional Comfort &amp; Sound Pack (standard on Vorsprung trim) if you enjoy listening to tunes on the move, because it gets you a great-sounding Bang &amp; Olufsen sound system.

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

&nbsp;Comfortable, hushed and classy, but could be&nbsp;more exciting to drive

Clearly, you're unlikely to&nbsp;consider&nbsp;a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/coupe">coupé</a> if space is your top priority, but the A5 Coupé&nbsp;isn’t as impractical as you might imagine. A couple of six-footers will fit in the back, for example, although they’ll have to slouch to keep their heads from brushing against the ceiling.

There's plenty of front space too. Even if you’re extremely tall, you’re unlikely to have any complaints about how far your seat slides back or how much room there is above your head.

Officially, there’s more boot space than in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/coupe/review/n62">BMW 4 Series</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/coupe/review/n17151">Mercedes&nbsp;C Class Coupé</a>&nbsp;and, while the differences are small, the A5’s load bay is certainly usefully more square-shaped&nbsp;than those of its key rivals. Rear seats that split and fold 40/20/40 are standard. When they're down, there's just&nbsp;a gentle slope in the floor of the extended load bay.

OUR PICK

Entry-level Sport trim is our favourite. It comes with 18in alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control and cruise control, plus it also sits on softer suspension than other versions of the A5, delivering a more comfortable ride.

Sport

sport

This popular trim brings sportier styling and bigger wheels than you get with the entry-level Sport. It's quite a bit pricier, though, and its standard-fit sports suspension doesn't deal with bumps as well. 

S Line

s-line

Similar to S Line but with bigger 20in alloys and a black exterior styling pack as well as some cosmetic tweaks inside. Just like S Line, it's quite a bit pricier than our favourite Sport trim, and its standard-fit sports suspension doesn't deal with bumps as well.

Black Edition

black-edition

This stupendously lavish range-topping trim comes with just about every luxury you can think of, but is just too pricey to recommend.

Vorsprung

vorsprung

The S5 makes most financial sense in entry-level form. You still get plenty of kit, including 19in alloys, self-dimming LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors and leather seats. The Comfort & Sound Pack is worth considering if you fancy a few more luxuries.


S5 Black Edition

s5-black-edition

Ridiculously well equipped, but also ridiculously priced. Only worth considering if you’re a serious hedonist with money to burn.


S5 Vorsprung

s5-vorsprung

Choose carefully and you'll be getting a comfortable and quiet coupe with a very classy interior. True, the A5 could be a little more exciting to drive, but it's still an incredibly rounded car – especially if you opt for the 40 TFSI petrol in entry-level Sport trim.

Audi A5 review

Introduction

What Car? says...