• Smart cabin with quality build
• High-tech multimedia system
• Driving position isn’t perfect

The cabin of the A5 Cabriolet is a particularly nice place to be. The materials feel high quality and all of the switchgear has a reassuring weighting to it that further amplifies the premium approach to drop-top motoring.

We’ve been very impressed in the past with Audi’s MMI navigation and infotainment arrangements, and in this car it’s no different.

The integration of Google Maps and the optional Virtual Cockpit digital dial set-up is a particularly neat feature – set the dash to show a zoomed-in view of your immediate surroundings while the dash-mounted screen can display a view of the wider area. Scroll out far enough and it’ll even show what the weather is like in other places along your route.

Or you can switch between the trip computer and what’s playing on the media system, with a choice of big or small dials, depending on your preference, while the main screen sitting on the dash can display the same information, as well as more of the car’s settings.

All of the car’s multimedia functions can be controlled via the rotary MMI controller by the gear lever, but the A5 Cabriolet also features voice-activation using microphones in the seatbelts – a neat idea that also means you’re able to make yourself heard more effectively when talking on the phone using Bluetooth connectivity.

Potentially problematic driving position

While most will find the A5’s driving position absolutely fine, with plenty of adjustment in the supportive yet comfortable seats and steering wheel, others may struggle.

Some will find the driver’s seat isn’t quite in line with the pedals and steering wheel, which could make them feel uncomfortable over long distances. It’s worth noting that this isn’t an issue for all drivers.

While overall visibility for the driver is good, the optional mesh wind deflector hampers the rearward view with the roof down, yet you’ll want it in place to keep the wind from intruding too harshly at higher speeds.

How comfortable is the A5 Cabriolet?

• Adaptive suspension impresses…
• …but won’t be very popular
• Highly impressive cabin insulation

This is another area in which the A5 Cabriolet shines. Thanks to the strong body structure and an incredibly well-insulated cabin, it’s an impressive attempt by Audi. Cars with electrically controlled adaptive suspension – an option that fewer than 5% of buyers will pick – makes the A5 feel very well controlled over the worst bumps, but even those without don’t fare too badly at all. We spent six months with a car on comfort-oriented suspension and never found it to be jarring or uncomfortable. It’s a very impressive all-rounder in this regard.

With the roof down there’s not a lot of wind intrusion so long as you keep the windows up and the wind deflector in its vertical position. It’s easy to have a conversation with your passenger at motorway speeds.

The most impressive thing here, however, is how hushed it is with the roof up: it’s almost like you’re driving a metal-roofed car. It features a fabric top that has generous amounts of insulation, but it’s clear the A5 Cabriolet’s construction also plays a huge part in isolating wind, road and engine noise – for example, it features thicker windows than the Coupe and Sportback versions.