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Audi A5 Tested November 2007
23rd November 2007
Quick Summary Recommended. This is a refined big coupe with some sparkling engines, so it's a shame that the drive doesn't quite live up to the promise of its looks
Full Road Test
It's one of those classic pub conversations for car bores: if you could make one car from all your favourite bits of the best models, what would it have? Well, in a sense, the A5 is Audi's answer to that question.
Naturally, the best car in the world would have Audi build quality - a given with the A5, of course - but wouldn't you also like something that combined the looks of the TT with the practicality of the A4? In other words, a car which had the looks of a coupe, space for four and a decent boot. As far as Audi are concerned, the result of just such a wishlist is the A5: a bigger coupe than the 2+2 TT, but one which has some degree of practicality. The trouble is, does this combination lead to a car that's a jack of all trades and a master of none?
Well, starting with the positives, the A5 is every bit as classy as any other Audi. Step inside, and you can't help noticing the distinct whiff of high class - this is a car that feels genuinely expensive to the touch. However, for all that class, there's not a great deal of space. Anyone much over six feet tall will find their head brushing the roof in the front and, with the front seats pushed back (as they have to be with a couple of adults in them), there's precious little room in the back: legroom is tight and those eye-catching lines mean that headroom is far from great. In other words, although the huge boot does go some way to justifying the claims of practicality, despite Audi's claims, this is not really a full four-seater.
It's also not exactly a sports car. If you've come to an A5 looking for something with the same genes as a TT, then you'll be disappointed. The A5 is designed as a high-speed long-distance cruiser - a modern GT, if you like - and doesn't really hit the spot as a driver's car. There's just not enough feedback though the controls or any great sense of agility through the bends. That said, if you favour a more laid-back driving style, then the A5 could well be your kind of car. First, it's tremendously comfortable for the driver, with plenty of adjustment in the driving position, a layout that makes you feel immediately at home, and tremendous refinement. And, secondly, there's no shortage of performance from any of the engines, and no lack of grip from the tyres. On the contrary, you can cross country at serious speed in an A5 in complete safety. The drawback is that it probably won't set your heart racing. Overall, the A5 is very much a classic Audi: beautifully built and sensibly priced against its German rivals - in this case, the BMW 3 Series Coupe and Mercedes CLK - but not the most exciting to drive. If you like Audis, you'll like the A5, but if you're more of a BMW fan, this will do nothing to change your allegiance.
Breakdown
Styling
There's a certain understated class to the A5, but we can't help thinking that the company that made the TT could have been a bit more daring with this one. True, it's not ugly as such, but it's perhaps a little too conservative. There are even some angles from which it doesn't really look like an Audi.
Environment
Stick to the smaller petrol model or one of the diesels, and you can be fairly green. You should get about 40mpg, and the 1.8 petrol's emissions of just 169g/km of CO2 are very impressive. But, if you want your motoring with a green tinge, steer clear of the S5, which emits almost 300g/km of CO2 and will struggle to get more than 20mpg in everyday use.
Handling
If you're looking for a safe, solid and dependable car that will never catch you out, the A5 fits the bill perfectly. It has huge amounts of grip (particularly the flagship S5), corners with confidence and won't bite you back if you're a bit careless.
Comfort
This is where the A5 is much more impressive. It's more in the mould of a classic Grand Tourer than a sports car, and it's really comfortable over long distances, but with the one word of warning: steer clear of the Sport suspension, which does sharpen up the handling, but is too firm too much of the time. Refinement is excellent, though.
Quality + reliability
When it comes down to it, the A5 - and any Audi, for that matter - really is faultless in this respect. Anything you can touch or see is made of the highest quality materials and put together superbly. Sit in the driver's seat, take a look around, and you'll just know that you've spent your money wisely.
Performance
S5 aside, it's not so much the outright pace that impresses in the A5, it's how easy it is to go really rather quickly. Even the slowest version, the 1.8 TFSI, gets to 60mph in less than 8.5 seconds, but for the ultimate in effortless pace, try one of the diesels, with their peak torque coming in at well below 1500rpm.
Roominess
If you're in the front seats, you'll only complain if you're taller than average - anyone much over six foot will probably find their head brushing the roof - but otherwise the A5 is fine. It's a very different story in the back, though, where things are altogether much tighter. You might squeeze a couple of adults in there for a while, but not for long. On the other hand, at least the boot is huge.
Running costs
As long as you stick to the diesels, you'll get surprisingly good fuel economy - around 40mpg, which is very impressive given how quickly those engines can get the big coupe going. The S5, on the other hand, will cost a lot: not only is it the most expensive to buy, it returns the worst fuel economy and sits in the highest insurance group.
Value for money
It's certainly not a cheap car but, yes, the A5 looks good value. There's no shortage of kit on any model and it certainly doesn't look dear next to the BMW 3 Series coupe. Besides, when you see the kind of class and quality on offer here, you'd probably be prepared to pay twice as much.
Stereo / Sat nav
Audi really do know how to build a classy cabin. Just as all the bits and pieces of trim fit together perfectly, so the electrical items they house are of the highest quality, too.
We like:
1. The fantastic quality inside
2. Effortless performance
3. The car's sheer desirability
We don't like:
1. It could look a little more daring
2. There's not much room in the back
3. It's not really a sports car
Best and worst:
Most fun: 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport
Most sensible: 1.8 TFSi
Worst: S5
Review courtesy of verdict on cars. www.verdictoncars.com
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