In-depth reviews

Audi A5 Coupe review - Engines, performance and drive

Smooth and comfortable, but the A5 lacks the excitement you get from a BMW 4 Series

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Engines, performance and drive Rating

4.1 out of 5

Price
£41,845 to £59,615
Find your Audi A5
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

Despite its sporty coupe looks the Audi A5 is very civilised and refined to drive. It’s based on the same chassis as the A4 saloon and comes with a range of different suspension options which alter the way it drives. 

Turn into a corner and the A5 on standard suspension, rather than adaptive dampers, responds more quickly than a BMW 4 Series, plus there’s a little less body roll. Yet the steering isn’t as well weighted as the BMW's, while mild torque steer upsets the front-wheel-drive A5’s composure when powering out of slower bends – four-wheel-drive versions are more planted in similar situations.

Take things easier, and the A5 impresses as a relaxed and refined cruiser. On the standard suspension set-up it’s a little firm at low speed, particularly on optional 19-inch alloys, but go faster and the dampers will do a good job of filtering out road imperfections. Wind noise is also well suppressed, while the tall-striding seventh gear in cars fitted with the S tronic gearbox keeps mechanical intrusion to a minimum. 

0-62mph acceleration and top speed

The entry-level engine is the 35 TFSI – a turbocharged two-litre with 148bhp and an 8.9-second 0-62mph time. The same engine produces 201bhp in the 40 TFSI and 0-62mph takes 7.1 seconds. The most powerful petrol engine in the standard range is the 45 TFSI, which produces 261bhp and manages the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5 seconds – thanks in part to its standard quattro four-wheel drive system.

The 35 TDI 2.0-litre diesel makes 161bhp and can hit 62mph from rest in 8.2 seconds, while the 201bhp 40 TDI reaches 60mph in 6.9 seconds with quattro four-wheel drive. All models use the same seven-speed automatic gearbox. It's worth noting that the entry-level Sport trim isn't offered with the more powerful 40 or 45 TFSI petrol engine or 40 TDI diesel.

The top-of-the-range RS 5 is powered by a 2.9-litre V6 with 444bhp – 0-62mph takes 3.9 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    40 TFSI Sport 2dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £38,075

Most Economical

  • Name
    35 TDI Sport 2dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £43,265

Fastest

  • Name
    S5 TDI 341 Quattro 2dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £53,860

Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023