Audi A5 Review

The Audi A5 is a stylish coupe that’s aimed at drivers looking for something that stands out from the crowd, but is still comfortable, well equipped and easy to drive. There are quite a few versions to get to grips with, including the five-door Sportback model, the A5 Cabriolet and faster, more powerful S5 and RS5 models.

The A5 is closely related to the Audi A4 saloon, as both cars use a common set of parts. The A5 is more expensive than the A4, but the swept-back roofline, long bonnet and more dramatic styling all-round means that it looks a lot sportier than the A4. There are compromises, of course - there are only two passenger doors, plus the interior isn’t as spacious as in the A4.

We’ll go into some more detail on its rivals below, but to give the A5 some context, it’s in the same category as the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class Coupe. The A5 has many typical Audi traits including a very smart interior, an efficient set of engines and more than enough comfort for daily driving.

The current Audi A5 has been on sale since 2016, so it’s not quite as fresh as the BMW 4 Series as that model has been updated with a new version with a dramatic oversized grille. Yet, because of this controversial new look for its closest rival, the Audi now seems even more appealing to those who want a stylish car, but don’t want it to shout too loudly.

Should I get an Audi A5 Coupe?

The Audi A5 makes the most sense for those who want an everyday car for driving to work, taking to the shops and going on holiday, but don’t have to carry family in the back seats very often. It’s roomy enough for kids occasionally but the lack of rear doors will be tiresome, especially as there’s a five-door version called the A5 Sportback - with four passenger doors and hatchback access to the boot - available if you have fallen in love with the A5’s styling.

The Audi has a comfortable and high-quality interior that’s an inviting place to spend time, plus it’s comfortable and easy to drive. These attributes make it great for daily driving, and the smart looks, satisfying handling and punchy engines mean it can offer some fun on the right road as well.

• Models explained
• Trim levels
• Engine
• Best A5 Coupe for...
• Rivals
• Dimensions
• Boot space
• Reliability
• Warranty
• Should I buy used?
• Deals

Audi A5 Coupe (2016-present): models explained

Audi A5 Coupe

BuyaCar prices from £14,499
Monthly finance from £227.45*

Other Audi A5 models

BuyaCar prices from £14,499
Monthly finance from £227.45*

Audi A5 Coupe

The Audi A5 Coupe is the model we’re focused on for this buying guide. It has two doors and four seats, though the rear seats are fairly tight. The A5 was updated in 2020, so cars from that year onwards look more like the more recent models to join the Audi range.

There’s a range of engine options including 2.0-litre petrol and diesel motors, plus a larger V6 diesel engine that is a bit less economical than the 2.0-litre versions but more powerful while being smooth and refined.

Trim levels start at SE and go up through Sport, S Line, Edition 1 and Vorsprung at the top of the range. You don’t need to go for a top model to get the best kit, as even entry-level versions have plenty: older SE cars have 17-inch alloys and three-zone climate control, while newer Sport models (in 2020 SE was removed from the range) have 18-inch alloys and LED headlights.

Other Audi A5 models (reviewed separately)

There are a handful of other versions of the Audi A5 that we’ve reviewed separately - some focusing more on style and others majoring on practicality, so we’ll mention them briefly here and you can click through to read more about each one below.

The Audi A5 Sportback offers everything the Coupe version does but has four passenger doors, a little more room in the back and a hatchback boot opening, while the A5 Cabriolet is a smart four-seater convertible. The S5 model, available in Coupe, Sportback and Cabriolet form, is also part of the A5 range but has sportier handling and a more powerful six-cylinder engine. The RS5 turns things up even more with a different six-cylinder motor that is even more potent, producing around 450hp.

• AUDI A5 SPORTBACK BUYERS' GUIDE
• AUDI A5 CABRIOLET BUYERS' GUIDE
• AUDI S5 BUYERS' GUIDE
• AUDI RS5 BUYERS' GUIDE

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Which Audi A5 Coupe to buy: trim levels

 
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Best Audi A5 Coupe engine

The Audi A5 engine range is quite wide, so there’s bound to be a version that suits you. We’ll pick the best all-rounder below but it’s worth explaining the range first, as the names can be a bit hard to understand initially. The 35 TFSI is the entry-level model, which is a 2.0-litre petrol with 150hp. The same engine is in the 40 TFSI but it’s tuned up to make 204hp. Then there’s the 45 TFSI, which is more powerful again with 265hp.

The diesel range includes the 2.0-litre 35 TDI, which has 163hp, and the 204hp 40 TDI. However, earlier models are available too - there’s a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel as well as the 2.0 TDI ‘ultra’ which was focused on fuel economy.

The best all-rounder is the 40 TFSI petrol version, which has plenty of power for overtaking and sporty driving but is still reasonably economical. The six-cylinder diesel is excellent for smooth and fast progress, though, so it’s a close second place if you don’t mind choosing a slightly older car.

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Best Audi A5 Coupe model for…

Below we’ve picked out some A5 Coupe versions that will suit for a handful of different types of driver, although it’s also worth knowing which type of Audi A5 is best suited to you. An Audi A5 Coupe makes more sense for those who mainly travel alone or as a pair, since there are no rear passenger doors. Meanwhile, if you have a family with a child or two to transport, the Sportback model is more appropriate. If you like the roof-down experience, on the other hand, the Cabriolet is best, while sporty drivers will like the high-performance S5 or RS5 models.

You then should think about the type of engine you need - the answer depends upon what kind of driving you do. The petrol options are good for all-round use, but if you do a lot of motorway miles then a diesel - especially the 2.0 TDI Ultra - will make sense for saving money on fuel.

	Audi A5 40 TFSI Sport: This trim level and engine combination is the best for value because it offers all the equipment you really need but without the unnecessary cosmetic add-ons of higher trims, plus it has the best all-round engine as mentioned above.	A5 Coupe 40 TFSI Sport deals
	Audi A5 2.0 TDI Ultra Sport: The A5 Coupe isn’t ideal for families but if you don’t mind the impracticality of not having rear doors, you can fit two kids in the back. The 2.0-litre TDI Ultra is the most economical engine, so it’s good for long trips with the family as you won’t have to stop for fuel often.	A5 Coupe TDI Sport deals
	Audi A5 45 TFSI S Line: The 45 TFSI model has a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 265hp, so it’s capable of 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds. Combined with the sportier suspension of the S line model, it’s the best for performance, barring the standalone S5 and RS5 high-performance models.	A5 Coupe 45 TFSI S line deals
	Audi A5 40 TDI Vorsprung: This trim and engine combination doesn’t make much sense. The diesel engine is suited to long motorway runs, but the large wheels on the high-spec and overly expensive Vorsprung trim mean it’s not comfortable enough for that and it's not good value either.	A5 Coupe TDI Vorsprung deals

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Audi A5 Coupe rivals

There are a pretty clear-cut set of rivals for the Audi A5 Coupe, as it sits in a well-defined place in the market. It’s a four-seat coupe with a focus on luxury, so it lines up as a rival for the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes C-Class Coupe and Lexus RC.

The BMW 4 Series is a more sporty model and suits those who want a car that’s a lot of fun to drive, while the Mercedes C-Class Coupe is a little more comfortable than the Audi A5. The Lexus RC isn’t as good as the others from a technology standpoint, but it’s comfortable and available as an efficient petrol-electric hybrid.

The A5 Coupe is notable for having the best interior of the bunch, and it’s the best all-round choice for all types of driving - so if you’re not sure what you want, it might be the best option. It offers a great blend of comfort, a little bit of sportiness and a high-quality feel.

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Audi A5 Coupe practicality: dimensions and boot space

Audi A5 Coupe dimensions

The A5 Coupe is 4.7m long, 1.8m wide and 1.4m tall. With the door mirrors extended, it’s just over two metres wide, so add that to the long doors and it’s not ideal for the tightest garages, but should still fit in most.

The A5 is a bit smaller than the BMW 4 Series, which is 4.8m long, 1.9m wide and 1.4m tall. There’s not much in it, though, and both are clearly aimed at the same customers, so they’re very similar in size and shape.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI A5 COUPE DIMENSIONS

Audi A5 Coupe boot space

The Audi A5 Coupe has a decent 450-litre boot, which is typical for this kind of car. The 4 Series has 440 litres in the luggage area, but the 10 extra litres don’t really make much difference - it’s not worth basing a buying decision on this.

If practicality is a concern, then it's worth considering the A5 Sportback, as this has rear doors and a wide-opening hatchback, which gives much greater access to the boot than with the coupe version.

The A5 Coupe has a separate boot door, with the rear windscreen remaining in place, so the opening isn’t the most useful for loading large items. There are elastic nets that help to secure loose items, though.

CLICK TO READ OUR FULL STORY ON AUDI A5 COUPE BOOT SPACE

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Audi A5 Coupe reliability

That Audi A5 should be just as reliable as similar models, although the Lexus RC is one rival we’d put money on being more dependable than all the others in this group of cars. That’s because Lexus is part of Toyota, a company known for building the most reliable cars around.

Audi usually finishes poorly in Driver Power customer satisfaction surveys - in 2021 it came in 23rd place - but BMW and Mercedes typically don't perform brilliantly either, as these luxury car makers can sometimes struggle to meet the high expectations of customers.

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Audi A5 Coupe warranty

Audi offers a typical three-year warranty on its new cars with the first two years having no mileage limit. The third year has a limit of 60,000 miles, though, which is still fine for even relatively high-mileage drivers. This means that you should still be able to find an A5 Coupe with factory warranty left.

There are extended warranties available from Audi: the four-year cover goes up to 75,000 miles and the five-year cover goes up to 90,000 miles. Prices for these are reasonable, so it might be worth looking into, to see the current cost when considering a brand new model.

Most rivals have the same level of cover but the Lexus RC is available with up to 10 years of cover, as long as it’s serviced on schedule. That means that used versions should typically have a greater amount of manufacturer warranty remaining than Audi, BMW and Mercedes alternatives.

AVERAGE REPAIR COST PAID BY WARRANTYWISE: £643 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON USED CAR WARRANTIES

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Used Audi A5 Coupe: should I buy one?

The Audi A5 Coupe is all about style and a high-quality feel, so the key selling point is how much you value the looks inside and out. The A5 isn’t significantly better or worse than rivals like the BMW 4 Series or Mercedes C-Class Coupe, so pick the one that you like the look of the most - although if you love driving, the BMW is the most fun.

Residual values for used versions should be pretty high, although luxury coupes tend to lose their value more quickly than other models that will have more widespread appeal. The result is that used models may not have the lowest cash prices, but they should still be worth a lot when you come to sell. Alternatively, if you opt for PCP finance, monthly payments should be pretty low for the initial value of the car.

The A5 is a great all-round daily car that brings plenty of style and interior quality, so it’s a good option for those who don’t need to carry passengers in the back often.

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Best Audi A5 Coupe deals

Go for an Audi A5 40 TFSI Sport for the best value for money, as it offers plenty of performance, decent economy and all the equipment you need. As it sits in the middle of the range, it should be fairly common and easy enough to find second-hand.

The diesel engines are a good option for long-distance travel. The older Ultra model is great for economy, though the six-cylinder diesel versions are luxurious and smooth as well as being economical enough.

There’s no real need to go for a performance-oriented model in the A5 range unless you're very keen to have the extra performance and the benefit of 'Quattro' all-wheel-drive, so stick to lesser engines for the best value. If you do want performance then choose an S5 instead, or even the RS5 for the ultimate in power and speed.

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*Representative PCP finance - 2018 Ford Fiesta 1.0 ST-Line Hatchback:

BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.
 

Other Editions

A5 (2007 – 2016)

The Audi A5 Coupe is stylish and desirable - but neither the most high-tech or exciting car

A5 Cabriolet (2017)

The Audi A5 Cabriolet is a stylish convertible with a focus on comfort and interior quality

A5 Sportback (2017)

The Audi A5 Sportback is a more practical, but still stylish, model in the sporty A5 range