Overview

The Audi A5 is a two-door, four-seat coupe version of the A4 Saloon, offering sleeker, more eye-catching styling for the image-conscious owner. Both cars share broadly the same trim levels and engines, with performance and economy figures only differing slightly. Like its sister car, the A5 is also available in performance S flavour and race-car-for-the road RS guise, both coming as standard with Audi’s famed Quattro all-wheel drive system.

The number of coupes on sale dimishes with each passing year, but that’s good news for you – the best coupes for your money are a very impressive bunch. Direct rivals are few and far between, and come in the form of the BMW 4 Series Coupe, as well as the less popular – but still capable – Lexus RC Coupe.

The engine range mainly consists of 2.0-litre units, with three outputs for petrol and two for diesel. The more potent 3.0-litre diesel is limited to the S5 for stronger performance. Place an R in front of that S, and you find 450hp in the RS5, although these days it’s a 2.9-litre V6 rather than the V8 installed previously.

Quattro all-wheel drive is available on the more powerful engines, and there’s a mix of seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic and eight-speed Tiptronic traditional auto gearboxes on offer.Those familar with current Audi models should recognise the structure of the line-up, with of four regular models to pick from, with the two performance S5 and RS5 versions at the top. 

Trim levels start with Sport, working up to S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung – with S line expected to be the most popular. Opt for the S5 and this has its own sub-range to choose from, with standard, Black Edition and Vorsprung levels, too. This goes for the RS5 as well, with standard, Carbon Black and Vorsprung.

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the Audi A5, including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.