Audi A5 review

The exterior of these cars has been specially crafted to turn heads. When you get inside, you’ll find the A5’s interior is even better than the outside.

Audi cabins are some of the best in the business, and the A5 range features some of their best examples.

The design is elegant and unfussy, the materials are prestigious and durable. The level of technology onboard always seems to be up there with the best, whatever trim level you choose and whatever age the vehicle.

Dashboard design splits opinion. Some prefer jazzier consoles and controls, others like the Audi’s conservative arrangement.

It’s hard to generalise as you’ll find the driver’s layout has been upgraded significantly over the years and there is a broad range of equipment and how it is arranged.

Whichever version you go for, rest assured that everything in the A5 cabin feels solid and thoughtfully put together.

Driving position

Of course, you don’t really buy a Coupé or Cabriolet because you want lots of space. The very sleekness of the design reduces the space that a saloon or hatch would offer.

The A5 is quite cunning - we’re not talking Tardis standard, though the front seat area is comfortable and airy and leg room isn’t bad all around.

The back can seat two adults adequately. That sloping roofline does reduce space for tall passengers.

The A5 range has been on sale in the UK since 2007 and there have been plenty of upgrades and changes since. So there are a lot of engines and versions to consider.

The over-riding feeling is that these are cars built for smooth, comfortable cruising. Take them on long trips and you’ll be justly rewarded.

Handling and ride comfort

They are Audis of course, which is a byword for refined motoring. Perhaps the A5 is less of an outright sports car than some rivals - or even Audi’s TT range.

The complex A5 category includes plenty of cars with high-powered engines, four-wheel drive and special sports suspension, as well as more economic and sedate models.

There’s something among them for all types of drivers.

Boot space

The A5’s boot is bigger than you’d expect for a Coupé or Cabriolet, and the back seats split and fold to increase your carrying capacity. The Cabriolet’s boot is of course impacted by the roof mechanism.

Storage solutions

That classic Audi cabin has plenty of stowage spaces. Built-in safety features are another Audi strong point.

More recent versions of the A5 are likely to have stability control and emergency braking, and some models can be fitted with blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings.

Overall Audi running costs can be higher than average because of the premium nature of its dealers and the more sophisticated engineering in some versions. You get what you pay for though.

Fuel economy

With such a wide range of models, engines and body styles it’s hard to summarise the A5’s running costs. The fuel consumption across the whole range is enormous - from 23mpg to 67mpg.

As a rough rule of thumb, the smaller petrol engines and most diesels give the best fuel economy. Check the official manufacturers’ figures for the model you are looking at.