• More diesel choice than petrol
• Economic engines plus fast ones too
• Quattro an option on larger units

Audi A5 Sportback performance is pretty impressive whichever type of fuel you choose. For a full range of facts and figures, click here for our Audi A5 specs page.

Petrol engines

Audi used to offer a 265bhp 3.2-litre V6 petrol motor in the A5 but, by the time the car was ushered into the used car showrooms, the top-spec engine was the 225hp 2.0 TFSI engine with Quattro all-wheel drive. It works well in the A5 and delivers 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds.

Entry-level petrol power comes from a 175hp, 1.8-litre TFSI engine which is a bit cleaner with 141g/km of CO2 and 46.3mpg on offer.

Diesel engines

The diesel market was better catered for here with no fewer than four engines for the Audi A5 Sportback. The least powerful but most efficient is the 2.0-litre Ultra with 135hp and company car driver pleasing CO2 emissions of 109g/km. You can also reckon on 67.3mpg from this engine.

Next up is another 2.0-litre unit, available with 150hp or 190hp, and the option of Quattro all-wheel drive on the latter. All of the 2.0-litre engines are happy to rev, though not as refined as some rivals when pushed harder.

This criticism cannot be levelled at the 3.0 V6 turbodiesels with 245hp. It was available with Quattro only and can see off 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, while remaining super smooth and hushed.

Parkers recommends

A 2.0-litre diesel is the best bet in the Audi A5, so it’s a choice between economy and performance. For both, we’d take the 2.0-litre Ultra with a manual gearbox.

What’s it like to drive?

The A5 walks a fine line between handling and comfort but manages to do a good job on both fronts. The ride is a little on the firm side, especially compared to the A4, but it goes with the idea that this is a sports coupe for four people, rather than a family car.

In corners, the Sportback is very impressive and drives very much like the standard A5 with excellent body control and responsive steering, albeit lacking in feel. It’s very composed and smooth at high speeds which makes it a relaxing motorway cruiser for both the driver and passengers.

An optional system called Audi drive select is available which allows the driver to alter the suspension settings, steering resistance and throttle response. Two different versions are available – one with damper control for greater suspension adaptability and another with dynamic steering for more feel through the wheel.