Audi A5 Sportback (2016-2024) review

Just so you know, this is an older review of the 2016-2024 Audi A5 Sportback. If you are interested in information about the latest Audi A5, please follow the link provided.

If you’re in the market for a premium-badged coupe but still need a degree of practicality, then the Audi A5 Sportback is well worth a look. It’s better than ever, and while space in the back is limited for taller adults, the extra doors are a boon. It’s not as fun to drive as a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, but even versions without quattro all-wheel-drive feel planted, refined and good to drive. The interior is among the classiest and best built of any car currently on sale, while the range of economical engines is simply the icing on the cake.

The Audi A5 Sportback is the five-door sister model to the A5 Coupe, and both cars share their mechanical running gear with the Audi A4 executive saloon. The current A5 Sportback is the Mk2 version, which went on sale in 2017. On the whole, the A5 Sportback range mirrors that of the Coupe, with a line-up of petrol and diesel engines that offer a balance of economy and performance that moves from the former to the latter the further up the range you go.

The big difference between the A5 Coupe and Sportback is the latter's extra pair of doors and liftback rear end. This boosts practicality without spoiling the A5's sharp looks, while frameless windows and a low roof line that arcs gently to the tail mean it's not easily confused with the A4 saloon, either.

There are four trim levels offered across the standard A4 Sportback line-up, which kicks off with the Sport version. This runs on 18-inch alloys, has LED headlamps with Titanium Black grille and rear diffuser, plus leather-trimmed sports seats, climate control and MMI Navigation Plus with 10.1-inch touch control display and Audi’s excellent 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard.

Next up is the S Line with 19-inch wheels, sportier styling tweaks, dynamic front and rear indicators and leather/Alcantara seats. The Edition 1 trim takes you up to 20-inch wheels, includes the Black styling pack and Nappa leather interior, while the top spec Vorsprung has fancier 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system.

There’s a decent choice of engines with something to suit all tastes. The range starts with the 148bhp 1.4 TFSI 150PS petrol, followed by a 2.0 TFSI in 204PS and 265PS forms that have 201bhp or 261bhp – all with Audi’s 7-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, but the most powerful engine only available with quattro four-wheel drive. The three powertrain options are badged 35 TFSI, 40 TFSI and 45TFSI quattro respectively.
The high-performance S5 Sportback is now only available as a diesel, but you can get the mighty RS 5 Sportback with a 2.9 TFSI twin-turbo petrol making 444bhp.

If you’d prefer a diesel, the range includes two 2.0-litre models badged 35 TDI and 40 TDI with 161 and 201bhp respectively. The R S5 comes with a 3.0V6 TDI engine making 334bhp, mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic auto.

Quattro four-wheel drive is only available on selected versions of the A5 Sportback, being fitted as standard to the 40 TDI and 45 TFSI, as well as the S5 and RS 5 performance variants.

Audi A5 Sportback alternatives

The only direct rival for the A5 Sportback is the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, which follows the same formula of being a more practical five-door coupe that's based on a two-door coupe that shares its running gear with a four-door saloon. Other cars worth considering for stand-out looks include the Volkswagen Arteon, Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia, while the usual range of saloons and two-door coupes from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, as well as within the Audi range, are worth considering, too.

Engines, performance and drive

The A5 Sportback is a comfortable, refined and sure-footed five-door coupe, and while a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is more fun, it’s the Audi that offers a more complete package. 

Several models come with the brand’s venerable quattro all-wheel-drive system, and while very few UK buyers will ever truly rely on it, it gives the A5 a sense of security otherwise missing on many of the car’s key rivals. The quattro versions offer bags of grip and loads of control on wet, greasy B-roads. 

This car is also at home on the motorway, where high-speed refinement is excellent. Like all Audis, the A5’s cabin is well insulated from wind and road noise – though bigger wheels can affect the sense of calm. Add optional adaptive dampers and you can switch between Comfort and Sport modes which vary the firmness of the ride, although even in Sport mode the ride isn't jarring.

Head into some corners and you’ll find the A5 Sportback composed rather than fun. Being based on the VW Group’s MLB platform means the current car is better to drive than its predecessor, but a rear-wheel-drive BMW is still more engaging. The A5 is nimble enough, however, with impressive body control and loads of grunt. The steering is a little numb, but you can add weight using the Drive Select button on the dash.

Engines, 0-60 acceleration and top speed

The 2.0-litre TDI is both fast and frugal, with the 201bhp version doing 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds. Our only gripe is that the seven-speed S tronic auto has a long seventh gear that's better suited to autobahn speeds than UK motorways. The box insists on kicking down to sixth with even the slightest press of the throttle at motorway speeds - you have to be travelling at 80mph or more for the engine's torque to deal with your demands. The 201bhp 40 TFSI petrol is a couple of tenths slower to 62mph.

The 261bhp 45 TFSI is faster, completing the same sprint in 5.6 seconds via the seven-speed S tronic box. However, the increased torque of the diesels make them feel faster in the real world.

MPG, CO2 and running costs

No matter which engine you go for, the Audi A5 Sportback is an economical and cheap-to-run family car. What it loses to the BMW 4 Series in terms of dynamics and driver fun, it makes up with its slightly lower emissions and impressive fuel economy. 

The entry-level front-wheel-drive diesel emits just 106g/km of CO2 when mated to the seven-speed S tronic gearbox.

Step up to the 40 TDI and that added performance will mean taking a hit on the fuel bills. However, even the thirstiest S line versions will still return 49.6mpg and emit 149g/km of CO2, not bad when you consider the huge torque on offer.

Unsurprisingly, the 2.0-litre petrol is the most expensive car (apart from the range-topping S5 and RS 5) to run, with the 40 TFSI emitting up to 158g/km. Fuel economy is between 40.9 and 44.8mpg depending on trim.

Insurance groups 

Insurance for the Audi A5 Sportback starts at group 28, while an S5 is group 41. For comparison, the popular BMW 420d Gran Coupe in M Sport trim is group 31, though the 440i trumps the S5 by falling into group 38. A two-door Mercedes C220d Coupe in AMG Line guise sits in insurance group 32.

Depreciation 

Residual values for the A5 Sportback are strong, and follow the current trend for Audi models. An A5 Sportback should retain around 46 per cent of its value after three years or 36,000 miles. The best model in the range is actually the most expensive S5, which holds on to 51 per cent of its value over the same time frame. 

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe offers similar numbers, ranging from 41 per cent for the 430i, to 51 per cent for the 420d M Sport.  

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

Interior, design and technology

There’s no arguing the fact that Audi’s A5 Sportback is a more desirable car than the A4 saloon on which it’s based. However, the sleek and aerodynamic body shell does mean you’ll need to make small compromises inside – where the sloping roofline eats in to passenger space.

From the front, the new A5 Sportback looks just like the coupe on which it is based, and is even rather tricky to distinguish from the A4 at first glance. SE cars come with 17-inch wheels and xenon headlights, but it’s the Sport version that we believe offers the best value for money – adding leather sports seats, sat-nav and a three-month trial to Audi connect. S line cars boast bigger 18-inch rims, though it’s worth remembering that these will adversely affect the car’s CO2 emissions. LED lights with scrolling indicators are also included on top-spec cars. 

Inside, the A5 is a perfect example of Audi’s high quality standards and super classy interior design. It’s beautifully built and covered in soft-touch materials from top to bottom. The dials and buttons are clear and easy to read. 

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit system is now standard, and you’ll instantly feel like you’re driving a car from the future. Sitting in place of the conventional dials, the fully digital setup can display full screen sat-nav mapping, media data or trip information alongside the speedometer and rev counter. It’s super intuitive to use and looks great. 

The rest of the interior has a high quality feel, with a classy fit and finish unseen on anything else in this class. A Mercedes C-Class runs the A5 close for solidity and elegant switchgear, but the Audi really does raise the bar. 

Everything is easy to use, with the brand’s familiar scroll wheel controlling all the infotainment functions. The latest MMI Navigation system also now has touch control, which many will consider a boon. 

Practicality, comfort and boot space

The Audi range is among the biggest and most extensive offered by any manufacturer in the UK, with a different model for seemingly every niche. The A5 Sportback is one of those niches – offering a more desirable design than the boxy A4 saloon and greater practicality over the standard A5 coupe. However, greater practicality doesn’t mean it’s all that versatile, with space in the back limited for taller adults, and the sloping roofline limiting overall boot space. 

Dimensions and size

At 4.73m long, the A5 Sportback is 90mm longer than a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (4.64m). It’s ever-so-slightly wider, too (1.84m plays 1.83m), though the cars are identical in height, give or take a few millimetres (1.39m). On the road, the BMW feels slightly more agile, though neither is unwieldy. The Audi is more surefooted, especially on those models fitted with Quattro all-wheel-drive.

Leg room, head room & passenger space 

If you regularly carry taller adults then an A4 or A6 remains a more sensible choice, however, if you have smaller children or only require the back seats very occasionally, then the A5 Sportback is a brilliant halfway house. It offers a degree of extra practicality without losing the sleek and stylish coupe body.

Headroom isn’t all that plentiful for those over six feet tall, though anyone else should find there’s enough space in the back for longer journeys. The middle seat is near enough useless, however, as you sit perched up above the outer seats without any kind of bolstering to keep you in place. 

Boot space

This is where the Audi A5 Sportback comes into its own, offering buyers style by the shed load, mated to a decent 480-litre boot. Unlike the coupe, the Sportback’s boot opens from the roof, infinitely improving versatility. Owners will find handy tie-down points and luggage nets too, though there’s no underfloor storage for stashing valuables out of sight. 

The rear seats do fold down, and although Audi doesn’t publish a total volume with everything folded flat, it’s a usable space that should suffice on the occasional trip to the tip. It’s certainly a match for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe’s 1,300-litre loadbay.

Of course, if it’s ultimate practicality you’re after, an A4 or A6 Avant estate will tick more boxes, while the new Q5 offers plenty of space in a trendy SUV body

Reliability and safety

Our most recent Driver Power survey showed Audi falling down the ranks when it comes to reliability and owner satisfaction. The brand finished a disappointing 21st place out of 32 makers – a drop of eight since 2015. Reliability was a particular bugbear, where Audi finished 23rd – despite a sixth-place finish for quality.

Safety is very good, too, and while the Euro NCAP hasn’t specifically tested the A5 Sportback, it awarded the A4 saloon and A5 Coupe the full five stars. It gained an 89 per cent rating for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child protection and 75 per cent for pedestrian protection. A 75 per cent safety assist score is also impressive. 

All cars get AEB automatic braking, a host of airbags and ISOFIX child seat mountings. Blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning are on the options list.

Warranty

All Audis come with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, and while that may sound generous enough, many manufacturers offer a more competitive guarantee these days. Even BMW offers an unlimited mileage policy for the first five years, while many will provide cover for even longer.

However, with many buyers trading their cars in after two or three years, lengthy warranties are becoming less and less relevant. If you fall into this bracket, you should have few concerns about the Audi’s reliability.

Servicing

The Audi A5 Sportback needs servicing every 12 months or 10,000 miles (£164 for a 2.0 TDI or 2.0 TFSI), whichever comes sooner. A bigger and pricier service (£319) comes every two years or 20,000 miles. The 3.0-litre TDI is more expensive to maintain, costing £199 and £399 respectively.