Audi A5 Coupe review - Engines, performance and drive
Smooth and comfortable, but the A5 lacks the excitement you get from a BMW 4 Series

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
- Name40 TFSI Sport 2dr S Tronic
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£38,075
Most Economical
- Name35 TDI Sport 2dr S Tronic
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£43,265
Fastest
- NameS5 TDI 341 Quattro 2dr Tiptronic
- Gearbox typeSemi-auto
- Price£53,860