2020 Audi A5

Is the Audi A5 a Good Car?

Yes, the Audi A5 is a good luxury small car that comes in three body styles. The base engine provides ample power and rapid acceleration, and there are more-potent engines available for those who want them. The A5 has engaging handling and a composed ride, and fuel economy is decent for the class. The cabin quality and design are impeccable, the seats are supportive, and there are plenty of tech features. Coupe and cabriolet (convertible) models have undersized trunks, but there aren't many other flaws with this Audi.

Should I Buy the Audi A5?

The A5 is one of the most well-rounded vehicles in the class and should be on the shortlist of every luxury small car shopper. It costs more than many of its rivals, but there’s a strong case to be made that the A5 is worth every penny. Still, you may want to check out alternatives like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the Audi A4, which cost a little bit less and are still highly rated.

Compare the A5, C-Class, and A4 »

Should I Buy a New or Used Audi A5?

The 2020 A5 receives a slight refresh with some notable updates that make it an appealing choice.

A touch-screen infotainment system replaces the old system, which you controlled with a rotary knob. The standard screen now clocks in at 10.1 inches, up from the previously standard 7-inch screen. Heated front seats are standard now too, and the coupe's trunk gets slightly smaller. Additionally, all three body styles see their base prices drop by $1,300 compared to what they were for the 2019 model year.

For 2019, Audi dropped the A5's manual transmission option and introduced the RS 5 Sportback (previously, the RS 5 was only offered as a coupe). The 2018 A5 saw a complete redesign. The Sportback body style joined the lineup, and the A5 got new, more powerful engines. Audi also added new standard and available features.

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 A5, 2018 A5, and 2019 A5 reviews to help inform your decision. Also check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts you can find on used vehicles.

Compare the 2018, 2019, and 2020 A5 »

We Did the Research for You: 29 Reviews Analyzed

We don’t base our car reviews on our personal opinions. Instead, we combine the findings of professional test drivers with data such as reliability ratings and safety scores to give you a complete overview of every vehicle we rank.

This review uses applicable research and data from all model years of the current A5 generation, which launched for 2018.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.

How Much Does the Audi A5 Cost?

Few luxury small cars cost as much as the Audi A5. Its base price of $42,900 is one of the highest in the class, and that's only for coupe and Sportback body styles. If you want the cabriolet (convertible) body style, you're looking at a starting price of nearly $50,000.

This Audi also costs more than most class rivals on the high end of the trim spectrum. For the range-topping S5 Prestige, prices start at $60,300 for coupe and Sportback models and $68,600 for the convertible. There’s also the high-performance RS 5 model, though pricing information isn’t yet available.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

Audi A5 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Audi A5 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a good luxury small car, but the A5 is a bit better. Both cars are available in multiple body styles, have powerful engines, and boast top-drawer interiors. The Audi's more user-friendly infotainment system and superior predicted reliability rating help give it the edge over the Mercedes.

Which Is Better: Audi A5 or Audi A4?

The Audi A4 is neck and neck with the A5 in our class rankings, and it's tough to say which is the better car. Both have premium interiors, and the features lists are similar. The A4 only comes as a sedan, whereas the A5 is also offered in coupe and hatchback body styles. The A5 also has more-powerful engines than the A4. On the other hand, the A4 costs several thousand dollars less than the A5. Choosing between these two will likely come down to personal preference.

Compare the A5, C-Class, and A4 »

A5 Interior

How Many People Does the A5 Seat?

Coupe and cabriolet A5 models seat four people, while Sportback models seat five. The A5's front seats are comfortable and supportive, with plenty of side bolstering. It's also easy to find a good driving position. The rear seats in all models are on the smaller side, but average-height adults can ride back there without much trouble.

A5 and Child Car Seats

Both the Audi A5 coupe and A5 Sportback have two complete sets of LATCH child-seat connections. The Sportback has an additional tether anchor for its middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives both LATCH systems the highest score of Good for ease of use. All the anchors are easy to locate and use, and they’re clearly labeled.

A5 Interior Quality

The A5 embodies exactly what German luxury stands for in most people's minds. It has a chic interior that looks and feels elegant and modern, and the materials quality is second to none.

A5 Cargo Space

In the coupe and convertible body styles, this Audi isn't much of a cargo hauler. Coupes have 10.9 cubic feet of space, while convertibles have 9.3 cubes. Both totals are below average for the class. If cargo space is a priority, the Sportback is the model for you. It provides 21.8 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats.

A5 Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features include a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and the MIB 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touch screen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Cabriolet models have a power-folding soft top and no sunroof.

Available features include wireless device charging, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and Audi's widely acclaimed Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the traditional gauge cluster with a customizable 12-inch display.

Audi updated the A5's infotainment system for 2020. A large touch screen now comes standard, and it makes the already user-friendly interface even more delightful. It's easy to navigate through menus, and the whole system is responsive.

Read more about interior »

A5 Performance

A5 Engine: No Wrong Choices

No matter which A5 model you pick, you're getting a potent powertrain. The base setup features a 248-horsepower turbo-four engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It's quick off the line and strong on the highway, with the transmission providing buttery shifts along the way.

The S5 and RS 5 deliver more thrilling performance. S5 models feature a 349-horsepower turbocharged V6, while RS 5 models have a 443-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6. Both of these bad boys come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A5 Gas Mileage: Middle of the Pack

The A5's fuel economy ratings are in line with those of many competitors. It gets 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. S5 models get 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In both the A5 and S5, the cabriolet earns marginally worse ratings than coupe and Sportback models. The EPA has not given fuel economy estimates for the RS 5.

A5 Ride and Handling: Good on Both Counts

The A5 may not be the most athletic car on the road, but it delivers an engaging driving experience. It has accurate steering and doesn't lean too much around turns, and standard all-wheel drive provides plenty of road grip. The ride is cushioned and comfortable. Add it all up, and you have a small car that you'll enjoy driving on city streets and winding roads alike.

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A5 Reliability

Is the Audi A5 Reliable?

The 2020 Audi A5 has a slightly above-average predicted reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Audi A5 Warranty

Audi covers the A5 with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.

Read more about reliability »

A5 Safety

A5 Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 A5 Sportback a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test. The NHTSA has not yet evaluated coupe and cabriolet models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 A5 coupe the highest rating of Good in the five crash tests it conducted. A5 Sportback models received the highest rating of Good in all six of the organization's tests. The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The A5 coupe and Sportback models earned the highest rating of Superior for their standard and optional front crash prevention systems.

A5 Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, Audi Pre Sense Basic (which automatically rolls up windows and tightens seat belts when an impending collision is detected), and Audi Pre Sense Front, which includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.

Available active safety features include Audi Pre Sense Side, which can detect impending collisions from the side, and Audi Pre Sense Rear, which includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Other available safety features include vehicle exit warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a head-up display, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and traffic jam assist, which manages braking, acceleration, and steering in low-speed traffic conditions.

Read more about safety »

A5 Dimensions and Weight

The A5 is 15.4 to 15.6 feet long, and its curb weight ranges from 3,638 to 4,178 pounds.

Where Is the Audi A5 Built?

Audi builds the 2020 A5 in Germany.

Which Audi A5 Model Is Right for Me?

You have plenty of options when choosing an A5. There are three body styles – coupe, convertible, and the five-door Sportback – and three models: A5, S5, and RS 5. The A5 and S5 models also have three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Every model comes standard with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The right body style and powertrain for you comes down to personal preference. Once you've made those decisions, look to the Premium Plus trim. It comes standard with many more features than the Premium trim, and it's available with features that you can't get in the base trim.

Audi A5 Premium

The A5 Premium carries a base price of $42,900 for coupe and Sportback body styles. The cabriolet (convertible) body style starts at $49,900. The Premium trim comes with a 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and Quattro all-wheel drive.

Standard features in the A5 include a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and the MIB 3 infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touch screen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Cabriolet models have a power-folding soft top and no sunroof.

Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, Audi Pre Sense Basic and Audi Pre Sense Front, which includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.

The Convenience package ($1,500) adds proximity keyless entry, hands-free trunk access, satellite radio, and Audi Pre Sense Rear, which includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. In coupe and Sportback models, you can also add a sport suspension for $250.

Audi A5 Premium Plus

The A5 Premium Plus starts at $46,700 for coupe and Sportback models and $53,700 for cabriolet models. In addition to the base trim's features, the Premium Plus comes with Audi's virtual cockpit, wireless device charging, satellite radio, Audi Pre Sense Side, Audi Pre Sense Rear, front and rear parking sensors, and vehicle exit warning.

The Driver Assistance package ($1,500) adds adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. The Navigation package ($1,600) adds navigation and a Wi-Fi hot spot. You can also add some features individually, including a sport suspension, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Sportback models also offer the Warm Weather package ($1,300), which adds ventilated front seats, and the Cold Weather package ($750), which adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

Cabriolet models offer the Luxury package ($2,100), which adds ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a neck-level heating system.

Audi A5 Prestige

A5 Prestige coupe and Sportback models carry a starting price of $52,600, while cabriolet models start at $59,600. Standard features include a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a head-up display, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a surround-view parking camera system, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.

You can also add some features individually, including a sport suspension, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Sportback models offer the Cold and Warm Weather packages, and cabriolet models offer the Luxury package.

Audi S5

The Audi S5 comes in the same three trims as the A5. S5 models feature a 349-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The S5 Premium starts at $51,900 for coupe and Sportback models and $60,200 for cabriolet models. S5 Premium Plus coupe and Sportback models start at $54,400, while cabriolet models start at $62,700. For the S5 Prestige, you're looking at $60,300 for coupe and Sportback models and $68,600 for the convertible.

S5 models have sportier styling than their A5 counterparts. They also come standard with upgraded leather upholstery and massaging front seats with added power adjustability. Many of the same features and packages available in the A5 are offered with S5 models as well.

Audi RS 5

The high-performance Audi RS 5 is only available in coupe and Sportback styles, and there is only one trim level. The RS 5 has a 444-horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Its features list closely resembles that of the Premium Plus trim's.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Audi dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Audi deals page.

See 2020 Audi A5 specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2020 Audi A5 is a great vehicle and a terrific choice in the luxury small car class. Available in coupe, convertible, and hatchback body styles, the A5 offers energetic engines and adept handling that translate to a fun driving experience. This Audi is comfortable and loaded with technology, and it has a top-notch cabin. It's easy to see why the A5 is one of our highest-rated luxury small cars.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "… the A5 cars -- based on the same platform as the A4 -- are coupe, convertible (known as cabriolet) and the highly useful Sportback versions. Thanks to their extra flair, these A5 variants are incredibly pleasant ways of getting around. The A5 Sportback is differentiated by its hatchback (as opposed to the A4's conventional trunk). But this extra dimension of practicality is a major part of the overall recipe, as are the exquisitely judged lines and proportions." -- Autotrader
• "The A5 Sportback combines the features of several Audis: the sweeping lines of the A5 coupe, the four-door layout and cargo space of the A4 sedan, and the convenience of the Q5 SUV's rear liftgate. Despite this formula, the A5 Sportback doesn't look or feel cobbled together—just the opposite. It's rewarding to drive, with nimble sports-sedan handling and a spirited turbo four-cylinder. Its sheetmetal is Euro chic, and inside, its high-quality materials and minimalist design look great—although the interior gives up some rear-seat spaciousness to its sedan sibling. But because of its playfulness and practicality, we're happy to forgive the A5 Sportback its few small flaws." -- Car and Driver (2019)
• "Audi's latest offering may be something of a segment-splitter, but it does a fine job incorporating the best attributes of all of them. There are few more satisfying all-around sports-luxury contenders on the market." -- CNET (2018)