Audi A5 Review

Gumtree Rating

4.0 rating

By Gumtree Editorial Team

14 February 2021 7 min read

Audi is known for making a grand entrance at every opportunity, so it comes as no surprise that their re-entry into the compact executive coupe market in 2007 was a notable one. The Audi A5 captured the hearts of customers from the launch of its first-generation models with its superb fusion of sporty excellence and pure luxury. Even among strong competitors like the Mercedes C-Class coupe and the BMW 4 Series, the Audi A5 remains widely seen as one of the best performing models in its price range.

Visit the Audi A5 model page for more details about this model and available cars.

What we think about the Audi A5

The Audi A5 might not be much of a looker compared to other executive coupes, but it makes up for this in luxury and impressive performance.

Pros

+

Luxurious interior

+

Well equipped with tech

+

Long-distance comfort

Cons

–

Rather dull driving experience

–

Cramped back seat in coupe body style

The first generation of the Audi A5 range was kickstarted with the two-door coupe in 2007, and two years later it was joined by the A5 Cabriolet and the five-door A5 Sportback. There’s a choice of three trims: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige.

Driving performance of the Audi A5

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

The standard all-wheel-drive A5 comes equipped with Audi Drive Select, an evolutionary drive-handling system that gives you a tranquil experience at the wheel. This system and the A5’s optional adaptive suspension results in top-notch comfort and responsiveness. The driving experience with the Audi A5 isn’t what you’d call adventurous but it has amazing grip and goes around bends smoothly. Steering is rather light and not as weighted as that of the BMW 4 Series and other rivals. The A5 delivers a top speed of 154 mph.

Safety and reliability of the Audi A5

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

Since 2015, the A5 has proudly worn a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, and it achieved 89% for adult occupant protection. However, it scores lower on reliability owing to high running costs and some reported faults. The 2021 A5 model is well equipped with a standard safety kit which includes front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, exit warning, lane-keeping assist, 360-degree parking camera, and Isofix child mounts.

Under the bonnet of the Audi A5

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

You’ve got a range of engine options to pick from in the A5 line-up. The 2021 model runs on a 2.0-litre turbo engine available in the 40 TFSI and the 45 TFSI options. The 40 TFSI pairs with a seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission to produce 320 N.m of torque, transferred to the front wheels. Using this setup, the A5 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds. The 45 TFSI can produce torque of up to 370 N.m using the same transmission, achieving 0-62 mph in an impressive 5.8 seconds.

What you'll find in the Audi A5

Our Design Rating8 / 10

The Audi A5 is no attention seeker when it comes to design, but it comes with a clean look that pleases the minimalists. There aren’t too many differences between the older models and the most recent models regarding styling. As standard, every A5 comes with sporty xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and three-zone climate control. The body of the 2021 A5 is slightly longer and slimmer, and the embossed bonnet lends it a more stylish look than the A4.

Comfort and interiors in the Audi A5

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

Practicality varies among the three body types. The A5 Sportback is as functional as a saloon car with its four doors and ample space and legroom in the front and rear seats. The Coupe gives up space in the rear in exchange for a sleek exterior, while the Cabriolet is also lacking in boot space. The interiors for all three are stylish and the seats are a joy to sink into after a long day. The A5 also has easy-to-use infotainment systems installed across the range, beating out some of the fiddlier tech from competitors.

Audi A5 interior dashboard

What features you'll find in the Audi A5

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The more recent generations of the Audi A5 now come with Audi’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit – a 12.3-inch digital display – as well as Bluetooth audio connectivity and a USB port. For the Cabriolet, there’s an electronically operated soft top for warm nights when you want to drive underneath the stars. The dashboard offer spacious simplicity, and all A5s come fitted with Audi’s MMI infotainment system, complete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, live traffic updates, weather reports, fuel price updates, and a remote unlocking system.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Audi A5

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Compared to Mercedes and BMW, Audi is known for being more fuel efficient. The A5’s TDI diesel engine is among the best in this regard, with fuel efficiency of 55.4 mpg and CO2 emissions of between 133–136 g/km. The 40 TFSI petrol variant offers 42.2 mpg and emits slightly more, between 150 and 152 g/km of CO2. Fuel tank capacity in the A5 varies between 54 and 58 litres, depending on the specific trim.

Running costs of the Audi A5

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

The Audi A5 is just as expensive to maintain as peers in its class. It falls within the insurance group of 27 – 44 depending on the trim. Audi’s three-year unlimited-kilometre warranty comes as standard for the A5, which matches with most rivals, while servicing is recommended for every 12 months or 15,000 km. As with any luxury-brand car, parts can be a touch expensive for the A5, but reliability issues are few and far between overall.

Our verdict of the Audi A5

4.0 rating

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Audi A5 delivers a comfortable ride and quality performance, and makes a great choice for people who enjoy a smooth cruise.