The Audi A5 is one of the best coupe cars on the market. Of course we say coupe, but the Audi A5 is also available as a convertible, called the A5 Cabriolet, and a more practical four-door Sportback. But all have the same ethos of svelte style and desirability.
There are plenty of Audi A5 rivals on the market too including the excellent BMW 4 Series, which is also available as a convertible and a four-door. Competition also comes from the Mercedes C-Class range and perhaps less obviously the Lexus RC.
Offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines, stretching from super-efficient motors to high-powered slingshots, there should be an Audi A5 to suit every buyer.
Coupes can be overlooked by those looking to buy or lease an aspirational new car, but this is unwarranted. Capable coupes such as the Audi A5 show the formula still has a lot going for it, particularly if you mainly drive with just two people onboard.
Compared to the Audi A4 from which it’s derived, the Audi A5 is sleeker and sportier. It sits lower to the ground and the driving position feels more focused. Then there’s the undeniable style of its smooth, understated but perfectly proportioned exterior. It has a purity that an SUV can never match.
In terms of the model line-up, there’s something to suit everyone. The entry-level Sport trim offers great value to those looking to buy or lease a new Audi A5 without spending a fortune.
Meanwhile, S line brings a sportier appearance that can be combined with fuel-efficient diesel or petrol engines. And if you choose the Black Edition, you get a cool-looking ‘black pack’ makeover and engine badge delete, so nobody will know which motor is beneath the bonnet.
The S5 is a very authentic Audi, with understated styling and plentiful performance – now with the added benefit of diesel fuel economy. Or you could go for the Audi RS5, which we’ve covered in full in a separate guide. Its 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine is hugely fast and fun.
While they’re not the most practical cars for rear-seat passengers, any Audi A5 has a roomy boot, a brilliant interior for front-seat passengers, plus the sort of roll-free, well-connected handling that coupes do best. Whichever flavour you may choose to buy or lease, you’re guaranteed to have a great-looking car on the driveway that will make you proud.
The Audi A5 competes with the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe in the premium executive coupe sector. And it’s a really strong contender, due mainly to its elegant good looks – surely one of the key reasons for choosing a two-door coupe.
The model range is comprehensive, with some very nicely-equipped trim levels, and the engine range is fulsome. Although diesels have fallen out of favour, Audi’s engines remain strong contenders. Even the S5 is now sold with a diesel engine.
The Audi A5 is a competitive coupe that is maturing nicely, and it’s certainly worth a look if you’re after an elegant two-door cruiser that’s a refreshing alternative to a stockier, blockier SUV.
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Given the Audi A5 is all about style compared with the more humdrum-looking A4, entry-level Sport models aren't the best choice. Their 17-inch alloy wheels looks a bit lost in the body, while without the sportier trim details it looks a little bland.
Choose your Audi A5 in S line trim and you get sportier looks than in a basic model without having to fork out serious dollar on one of the the top-of-the-range models. 18-inch alloys, nicer trim inside and out and standard-fit LED headlights make it a more attractive offering.
In terms of engines, there really isn't a weak link. Even the basic Audi A5 150PS 35 TFSI and 163PS 35 TDI models don't feel gutless, although ultimately their mediocre turn of pace means they don't feel all that premium. Our choice of the petrol lineup would be the 204PS 40 TFSI, which is quick enough for most needs and barely any less efficient than the 35. There's also a 45 TFSI which is quicker still.
Diesel fans, too, will enjoy the more potent feel of the Audi A5 40 TDI model, which offers effortless overtaking performance. However, pre-2019 Audi also offered six-cylinder 3.0-litre TDI diesels, which are smoother and feel really muscular. Expect them to be sought after.
Topping the lineup is the Audi S5, which was offered in petrol form only before 2019 and diesel form after. We'd avoid the diesel model, which isn't that economical or exciting (despite its serious performance).
Audi A5 35 TFSI petrol: The entry-level Audi A5 engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol with a middling 150PS. It is front-wheel drive, does 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and averages 45.6mpg, with CO2 emissions from 141g/km.
Audi A5 40 TFSI petrol: A more powerful 204PS version of the 2.0-litre engine, the extra oomph cuts the 0-62mph time to 7.1 seconds, yet fuel economy is still reasonable at 42.8mpg. CO2 emissions are from 150g/km. Early versions of the A5 called this engine the 2.0 TFSI, and it had slightly less power at 190PS.
Audi A5 45 TFSI quattro petrol: The most powerful 2.0-litre engine produces 265PS. It comes with quattro four-wheel drive as standard, with the extra traction cutting the 0-62mph time to 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy does dip to 37.7mpg, though. Earlier models (badged 2.0 TFSI) had slightly less power at 252PS.
Audi A5 35 TDI diesel: The 35 TDI is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel that’s actually more powerful than the 35 TFSI petrol, with 163PS. The 0-62mph time is better too, taking 8.2 seconds, while fuel economy of 58.9mpg impresses, as do CO2 emissions from 125g/km.
Audi A5 2.0 TDI diesel: Essentially the same 2.0-litre as above, it had a different name early in the A5's life, and produced slightly less power at 150PS. CO2 emissions were measured as low as 109g/km
Audi A5 40 TDI quattro diesel: The more powerful 2.0-litre turbodiesel produces 204PS, and Audi combines it with quattro four-wheel drive, which helps cut the 0-62mph dash to 6.9 seconds. Average economy remains decent, with up to 50.4mpg.
Audi A5 2.0 TDI ultra diesel: The faster 2.0-litre diesel in the early days of the A5 put out 190PS and promises CO2 as low as 106g/km.
Audi A5 3.0 TDI 218 diesel: Available in the A5's early days was a 3.0-litre unit with 218PS, available only with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The claimed CO2 is 119g/km.
Audi A5 3.0 TDI 286 diesel: The most powerful early 3.0-litre unit had 286PS, and came with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The claimed CO2 is 147g/km.
Audi S5 diesel: The potent Audi S5 has a smooth-running 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, producing 341PS. Standstill to 62mph takes 4.6 seconds, yet economy isn’t bad – with an average of 40.4mpg.
Audi S5 petrol: Earlier S5s used a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with 354PS, attached to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It promised 36.7mpg and 0-62mph took 4.7 seconds.
Audi RS5 petrol: The fastest Audi A5 Coupe is the RS5, which has an exotic 2.9-litre V6 turbo petrol engine. It produces 450PS for 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds.
The Audi A5 SE was the entry-level A5 when it was first introduced, although it was later phased out. It featured 17-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights, with leather seats (heated in the front) and three-zone climate control, with an electric boot lid.
The Audi A5 Sport looks sharp thanks to its Sport front and rear bumpers and side skirts. It has fuel-saving 18-inch alloys, leather sports seats and a decent standard spec including a comprehensive infotainment system.
The Audi A5 S line is more visually alluring, with larger partly-polished alloys and an S line styling makeover. The seats are even sportier and get S embossed logos, while a black headlining adds a sportier feel.
The Audi A5 Black Edition gives a ‘black pack’ makeover to S line trim. The alloy wheels grow to 20 inches, and Audi adds a rear spoiler and finishes the badges in black. It also removes the engine designation.
The Audi S5 is the high-performance Audi A5 with bespoke S line brakes, suspension and styling. It features the aluminium door mirror caps that have marked out Audi S models for decades.
The Audi S5 Black Edition is a darker take on S5 spec, once again building out key details in black – including the door mirrors.
The Audi S5 Vorsprung is the most well-equipped Audi A5 of all. It has an abundance of extras, including adaptive S suspension, a Sport differential, Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system and a head-up display.
The Audi RS5 is the highly specialist range-topping model in the A5 range. It has a super-potent 450PS engine and an array of specific Audi RS styling, interior and suspension features.
The Audi A5’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4697mm
Width: 2029mm (including door mirrors)
Height: 1371mm
Ground clearance: 117mm
The Audi A5’s boot size is:
450 litres (S5: 410 litres)
If you buy the Audi A5 new it'll cost you between £210 and £1040 for the first year's Vehicle Excise Duty, although usually that covered in the cost of the car. After that, you'll pay a flat rate every year. Most models burst through the £40,000 premium car threshold, so you'll be paying £570 every year for five years after the initial payment.
This doesn't apply to cars made before April 2017, however, and they can be much more affordable. For example, an Audi A5 Sport 2.0 TDI Sport from the first quarter 2017 will cost you just £20 a year.
Insurance ratings for the Audi A5 coupe start from a reasonable group 28 (out of 50). That’s for the Audi A5 35 TFSI Sport. S line pushes it up to group 31 and the Black Edition to group 32. The Audi A5 40 TFSI’s extra power sees ratings jump to start from group 37, while the 40 TFSI is from group 40.
The Audi A5 35 TDI diesel is more expensive than the 35 TFSI petrol, starting from group 31, while the 40 TDI is from group 38. Needless to say, Audi Sport models are much more expensive, with the Audi S5 from group 45 and the Audi RS5 reaching as high as group 48.
Read our full Audi A5 review
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