Skip advert
Advertisement
Long-term tests

Audi A5 Sportback

As the holiday season arrives, the queue is growing to get behind the wheel of our stylish new five-door...

Pros
  • THE dynamic highlight of the Audi is its 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine – which is the same unit you’ll find in our VW Golf GTD and SEAT Leon FR hot hatches. Despite the A5’s extra weight, the refined powerplant delivers strong pace. However, it’s the oil-burner’s remarkable 47.5mpg fuel return which has really impressed me.
Cons
  • AS with all manual Audi A4 and A5 models, the Sportback features a rest for your clutch foot in the side of the footwell. But it is too close to the pedal for my liking, meaning I catch it on the side of my shoe every time I shift gear. Only by adopting a slightly awkward driving position can I avoid this, although it isn’t something all testers have complained about.
Find your Audi A5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

I’VE discovered a surefire short-cut to instant popularity – and all you need is an Audi A5 Sportback! Ever since the sleek five-door model arrived on our fleet, I’ve been treated to a constant queue of people willing to offer me gifts and bribes in exchange for the keys. In fact, I’ve barely had a chance to get behind the wheel myself.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Take a look at the Audi, and it’s easy to see why the car is in such hot demand. The stylish exterior hides a spacious, well equipped cabin, a huge load area and a fuel-efficient diesel engine. If you’ve got a big trip planned, then the A5 will be at the top of your list. In the month the German machine has been here, it has already racked up more than 2,000 miles.

The bulk of this was added by senior road tester Owen Mildenhall, who used the A5 to travel down to Le Mans, France, for the famous 24-hour race. He returned raving about the car’s long-distance refinement and fuel economy. With three adults on board and a boot full of camping gear, the A5 achieved a decent 41.9mpg on the trip.

Owen’s praise has led quite a few colleagues to put in a request to use the Audi for their annual holidays. That means I’m having to make the most of the A5 while I’ve still got the chance. So far,I’ve been hugely impressed with the Sportback. With its bold red paint and optional 18-inch alloy wheels, it certainly looks the part, while the cosseting cabin is a great place to spend time.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Mokka

2022 Vauxhall

Mokka

50,623 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £14,790
View Mokka
Focus

2023 Ford

Focus

17,010 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £16,995
View Focus
Sportage

2023 Kia

Sportage

9,623 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £27,189
View Sportage
5008

2022 Peugeot

5008

27,246 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £19,736
View 5008

This is partly down to the desirable extras fitted to our car. Included in the comprehensive specification are the heavily bolstered sports front seats, sat-nav, cruise control and an iPod connection.

Elsewhere, you’ll discover powerful xenon headlamps with high-beam assist – which automatically dips the lampsfor oncoming traffic – and LED tail-lights. While all these extras certainly boost the A5’s appeal, they do add an eye-watering £4,890 to the price.

There are no complaints about the smooth 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine. Notonly does it deliver strong pace and decent fuel returns, but its auto stop-start system works effectively, killing the powerplant at traffic lights and firing it again the instant you dip the clutch pedal.

There are one or two niggles, though. Despite the generous size of its cabin, the Audi is a strict four-seater, as there is no third safety belt in the middle of the back bench. I’ve also found the rear screen quickly gets dirty, an issue exaggerated by the lack of a wash/wipe system.

And while the wide wheels look great, they can crash into potholes and cause the A5 to pull to the left or right over cambers.

But even these problems fail to detract from the strong appeal of the Audi. With the recent arrival of a baby girl in the Disdale household, I’m appreciating the extra practicality of the A5’s hatchback layout and its huge load bay, which swallows our chunky pram with room to spare. Better still, this versatility is wrapped in desirable and stylish clothes. I’m certainly looking forward to the next 11 months – although I might have to join the queue to get a go behind the wheel!

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £1,509 off RRP*Used from £13,195
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,568 off RRP*Used from £12,606
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,137 off RRP*Used from £15,496
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,704 off RRP*Used from £7,295
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring
Baby Nissan Juke exclusive image - rear

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring

Nissan to fast-track development of new battery-powered city car to take on forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1, and our exclusive images preview how it could…
News
18 Apr 2025
Best SUVs to buy 2025
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2025

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025
You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest
Opinion - ease of EV ownership

You can run an electric car with nowhere at home to charge it, honest

Chris Rosamond explains why ultra-fast charging could convince you to make the switch to driving an EV
Opinion
17 Apr 2025