2018 Audi A5 Coupe Premium Plus 20 Tfsi Review
The Car Connection Expert Review
Senior Editor
May 10, 2018
Likes
- Evolutionary practiced looks
- Strong and efficient engine
- Sportback offers utility
- Sporty and comfortable
- Cool technology
Dislikes
- Tight rear seat, specially in convertible
- Manual only offered for coupe
- Tiny steering wheel shift paddles
Buying tip
features & specs
2.0 TFSI Premium
two.0 TFSI Premium Plus
2.0 TFSI Prestige
The 2018 Audi A5 gets a hatchback body style that adds a measure of utility to get with its sleek and sporty luxury cachet.
The 2018 Audi A5 family grew this year. In addition to the coupe and convertible, the A5 now includes a devastatingly skillful looking Sportback that takes the two-door'due south silhouette and adds two more than doors. It'due south the sedan-based-on-a-coupe-based-on-a-sedan trope that'south pop with High german automakers.
The outcome is an A5 that is ameliorate than ever. It retains its aura as a style leader both inside and out, but now stands out for improved power and handling, a high-tech digital instrument cluster, and the new, more practical Sportback torso manner. With those strengths, we charge per unit the A5 a vii.5 on our overall calibration.(Read more about how nosotros rate cars.)
The A5 shares its running gear with the A4 sedan and Q5 crossover. All A5s come up with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive organisation, though the coupe has the Quattro Ultra arrangement, which can disconnect the rear axle to save fuel.
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Sportier variants chosen S5 (in all trunk styles) and RS 5 (offered only as a coupe) are available every bit well, but we review them separately.
The A5 has one engine. Information technology is a turbocharged 252-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 mated to either a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or a 6-speed manual (the latter only in coupes). The A5 doesn't want for power, with a 0-60 mph fourth dimension in less than six seconds, and it cruises in relaxed comfort. Fuel economy is good, too, at 27 mpg combined.
The engine has moved farther back in the chassis and the car has cut a bit of weight, helping to amend handling. It'due south a sportier car this time effectually, but the S5 and RS 5 are for those who want a true grand tourer (in the example of the S5) or even a rail automobile (the RS 5). Even at the A5 level, though, a Drive Select system lets drivers harden or soften the edges.
Audi gives the A5 more active rubber gear for 2018, adding forward standoff warnings with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, and active lane control.
All A5s are well-equipped, with features such equally leather seats, automatic climate command, Audi's MMI infotainment arrangement, and ambient interior lighting. Options include navigation, a Bang & Olufsen sound organisation, Audi'southward loftier-tech virtual cockpit digital musical instrument cluster, adaptive dampers, and 4G LTE data services with a wi-fi hotspot.
The Audi A5 retains its sleek skillful looks simply adds a handy new hatchback and state-of-the-fine art interior technology.
The 2018 Audi A5 started out every bit a coupe that gear up the standard for sport coupe styling. Now in its 2nd generation, Audi hasn't strayed far from the elegant, understated, yet sleek wait that earned the auto accolades from the beginning. The convertible loses some of the coupe'due south grace due to the loss of the superlative, and the Sportback plays off the flowing lines of the A7, another Audi that has earned praise for its beauty. All models accept interiors that combine clean, horizontal lines with engineering science in a holistic way.
Nosotros rate the A5 an 8 out of ten for styling, calculation a bespeak for its well-integrated interior and two for its boggling exterior.(Read more nigh how we rate cars.)
The A5 coupe retains the archetype muscle car haunches it's had from the get-go. The lines are a bit sharper than those of the previous generation. It takes a sharp eye to notice the changes, though, as the new A5 is certainly an evolution instead of a revolution. That's what you lot practice when you have a winning formula.
The new A5 Sportback combines elements of the A4 sedan and A5 coupe. It gets the A4's wheelbase and shares the same look from the A-pillars frontward. From there, the roof sits depression like the coupe'south, and the hatchback roofline is essentially an elongated version of the coupe'southward roof. The rear of the roofline resolves into a lower, sleeker contour than the BMW 3-Series GT, only it isn't quite as elegant every bit the look of the A7, which has more room for its lines to play out.
Inside, all A5s sport a swish look with horizontal lines, and depression-gloss black plastics offset by leather upholstery, as well every bit forest or metal trim. Audi integrates technology into the motel in a natural style, adding its MMI rotary dial control interface with a middle screen and a 12.three-inch digital instrument cluster Audi calls its virtual cockpit. Both work well and assistance create a state-of-the-fine art wait for the cabin that isn't as well confusing or futuristic.
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The 2018 A5 offers a comfortable ride, balanced handling, and a strong engine that emits a subdued note.
The functioning of the 2018 Audi A5 is amend in every way. It makes more power, the engine is prepare back farther in the chassis to improve balance, and slight weight savings boost its handling every bit well.
We requite the A5 a 7 out of x for performance, adding points for its willing engine and counterbalanced treatment. (Read more almost how we rate cars.)
The new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine makes more ability this year, spinning out 252 horsepower versus 220 horses for the last generation. It is mated to a vii-speed dual-clutch transmission in all body styles, but the coupe also gets a half dozen-speed transmission manual.
The turbocharged engine lacks turbo lag and instead delivers crisp throttle response at whatever speed. The 0-60 mph sprint takes as niggling as 5.7 seconds, which is pleasantly quick, but the A5 accelerates in a drama-free manner, with little engine noise and a fairly smooth, quick shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. Shift paddles are standard for those who want to choose their ain gear, but they are rather small and plastic.
On the road, the A5 is still biased toward comfort instead of performance, merely it is a sporty, fun-to-drive auto. The Drive Select system lets the driver cull from Comfort, Normal, Dynamic, and Individual settings for the steering, intermission, transmission, and throttle. Experiment with the Individual modes for each system, and yous will likely observe a combination that works for you in almost driving.
Steering response is sharp and direct, though without much route feel. The treatment feels well-counterbalanced in all only the almost aggressive moves; drive hard into a bend and it may button forward rather than rotate. The S5 offers a torque vectoring rear differential to assist the automobile rotate, but that isn't available here. Ride quality is quite comfy and well-composed.
Those who want more power and sharper handling will have to step upwards to the 354-hp S5 and especially the 450-hp RS 5. We cover both separately.
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The 2018 Audi A5 has great interior materials. The new Sportback adds utility, while the coupe and convertible sacrifice rear-seat infinite for style.
With the addition of the Sportback to the A5 lineup, Audi at present offers an A5 with utility equally well as looks. Its hatchback body style has more room in the dorsum seat, likewise a very useful cargo concur.
The coupe and convertible, on the other hand, have smaller rear seats and trunks that deport less cargo.
All models are outfitted with excellent materials, including soft leather, metallic trim, genuine forest, and soft-bear upon surfaces most everywhere the commuter might touch on. We give the A5 a seven for comfort and quality, calculation points for interior quality and a roomy and comfy forepart seat. The Sportback's utility is balanced out by the lack of utility of the other models. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The A5 Sportback adds 2.4 inches to the wheelbase, most of which is used as boosted rear leg room. That makes information technology comfy for ii passengers six-foot and under, provided the front seat occupants don't motion their seats all the manner back. While the back row does seat three in the Sportback, information technology will only work for children.
The coupe loses both head room and leg room, and the convertible has flatter, smaller seats. With but two doors, information technology's too harder to go into these body styles, and fifty-fifty the Sportback requires a deeper stoop than the norm due to its low roofline.
The A5 coupe has a small 11.6 cubic-foot torso, and the convertible'south is even smaller at ix.3 cubic feet that diminishes to 7.2 cubic feet with the roof folded away. The Sportback, however, has a generous 21.eight cubic feet of cargo space, and that expands to 35 cubes with the rear seats folded down. Way and utility are a great combination.
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The 2018 A5 comes with some important active condom features, but reserves the boosted condom nets for the top model.
Audi equips every 2018 A5 with some of today'southward active safety features and makes others bachelor equally options. Federal and independent testers accept given the coupe and sportback body styles loftier marks, which is how we make it at our score of 8 out of x. (Read more than virtually how we charge per unit cars.)
Federal testers have only weighed in on 1 version of the A5, the hatchback that Audi calls the A5 Sportback. It earned a v-star overall rating, which includes four stars in the frontal crash test. The IIHS rates the Sportback and the coupe a Tiptop Condom Pick.
Standard safe equipment includes the usual array of airbags, plus dual front end articulatio genus airbags, a rearview photographic camera, and forward collision warnings with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Cabriolets lack the the otherwise standard side drape airbags only add larger side airbags and popular-up rollbars that deploy when a rollover is imminent.
Premium Plus models add together front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alerts.
A Driver Help package is offered but for the Prestige models. It adds adaptive prowl control, active lane control, and automated high beams.
Outward vision is quite good in coupes and Sportbacks, but blocked considerably with the top upward in the cabriolet.
The 2018 Audi A5 is loaded with features and offers plenty of neat tech goodies.
Each body style of 2018 Audi A5—coupe, convertible (Cabriolet), and hatchback (Sportback)—is offered in 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
The A5's equipment list is generous at the base level and it gets more posh from there. We are especially addicted of the infotainment organisation and the new virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster. For these reasons, we give the A5 an 8 out of 10 for features. (Read more near how we charge per unit cars.)
Premium features include eight-way power leather seats, automated climate control, a ten-speaker audio system, a 7.0-inch driver information centre screen, Audi'due south MMI infotainment system with a 7.0-inch center screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, HD radio, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, ambience interior lighting, automated xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Sportback adds a power tailgate and a panoramic sunroof, while the convertible gets a power soft peak.
The Premium Plus adds heated front seats with commuter'due south seat memory; total LED headlights; heated, motorcar-dimming, ability-folding exterior mirrors with memory; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; Audi Connect Care telematics with roadside assistance, SOS calls, and stolen vehicle locator; voice control; and bullheaded-spot monitors with rear cantankerous-traffic alerts and vehicle exit help that warns if a car is coming when you lot open the door.
Opt for the Prestige and you become an alarm; satellite radio; synthetic leather on the heart console and door armrests; a Bang & Olufsen sound arrangement; a head-upward display; a environment-view camera system; LED interior lighting; the Audi virtual cockpit 12.iii-inch digital instrument cluster; MMI with navigation and a touchpad controller; and Audi Connect Prime, which adds Google Earth map views, Google vocalization search, and access to social media, internet radio, and other local information. Audi Connect requires a monthly subscription for the 4G LTE data, merely enables a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot.
Notable options include an adaptive damping suspension, a cold conditions package with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel, and 19-inch wheels.
Audi's excellent Multi-Media Interface (MMI) has a rotary controller that tin can be ordered with handwriting recognition for things such every bit destination inputs. It comes with a 7.0- or 8.three-inch eye screen and provides admission to sound, entertainment, communications, and more than. The system takes some fourth dimension to principal, but information technology soon becomes intuitive, and information technology's always quick to react.
The virtual cockpit is a 12.iii-inch digital instrument cluster that works with the MMI to provide the driver enough of information. It has diverse screen views, including one with a big map right in front of the commuter. Information technology is controlled by buttons on the left side of the steering cycle. Again, it will have some time to master, but nosotros find it to exist both beautiful and informative.
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In any body style, the 2018 Audi A5 is quite fuel efficient for a compact luxury car.
The 2018 Audi A5 is offered as a coupe, convertible, and hatchback, but the fuel economy only varies based on what transmission is chosen.
All body styles with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission are EPA rated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, 27 combined. Opt for the coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission and those numbers drop simply slightly to 24/33/27 mpg.
Those ratings are rather efficient for a vehicle in this class, and they qualify the A5 for a seven out of ten in our ratings organization.(Read more about how nosotros rate cars.)
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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/audi_a5_2018
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