My Experience:

Now that I’ve had my IS350 for roughly 3½ years, I’m starting to get a wandering eye, so to speak. Although I’m intending on keeping my Lexus another 2-3 years, I figure it can’t hurt to drive a few cars. Where’s the harm in that, right?

So I decided to start down at the local Audi dealership with the car that’s really caught my eye lately – the A5.

Trim Levels:

The A5 really only comes in one trim level. Coupe, 3.2L V6, Quattro all-wheel drive, choice of manual or automatic transmission. There is an S5 variant with a V8, and in 2010 Audi will introduce an A5 convertible. This review covers the A5 with the automatic transmission.

Exterior:

Personally, I think the A5 is one of the best looking cars on the road, bar none. Usually, I prefer more angular lines, but the A5 curves are in all the right places and the overall effect just works for me. The new rear end design for the A4/A5 in a great improvement over the old A4 (which I never liked), and the front grill and headlights (with the new LEDs) works well too. In a word: stunning.

Compared to its main competitors, the A5 stands apart. The Mercedes CLK is looking stale; the new G37 coupe lost its appeal as compared to the previous body style (in my opinion); only the BMW 3-series coupe comes close in terms of design. But I prefer the A5’s more muscular stance to the BMW’s slightly elongated form.

Interior:

Historically, Audi has been a leader in interior quality. The A5 lives up to this standard but isn’t anything extraordinary. Quality materials (mostly - the door handle on the passenger door was a little too plasticy for me); supportively comfortable seats with nice leather; well laid out instrument panel – nothing too fancy. The car I test drove had the cinnamon brown colored leather with a wood trim. A very nice combination.

(A brief rant here: Like other manufacturers, Audi has decided that anyone who wants the sport package would only want an all black interior. Why? Why can’t I have the sport package AND the cinnamon leather interior? Argh!)

The basic controls (doors, windows, climate) we’re all in logic, easy to reach places. The parking brake imitates the A6 in that it’s nothing more than a switch down by the shifter. Not sure I like that but it does free up space around the center armrest. The car I drove had the technology package which includes keyless entry/ignition. They still give you a slot to put the key fob into if you want, though. Don’t have to, but it’s there if you feel like using it.

My biggest beef would have to be with the navigation system. The overall display is ok, but not the best. No touch screen, though. Everything is done with MMI dial and all the surrounding buttons (of which there are way too many). Perhaps this system gets easier once past the learning curve, but, rest assured, there is a steep learning curve. Audi has basically carried over their old nav system into the new A5 and A4. In my opinion, it needs a refresh. Badly.

Other technology stuff is all there such as Bluetooth hands-free for phones (though no stereo Bluetooth for linking music players). Good iPod integration as well. Rear backup camera also shows distance markers and directional guidance.

Rear seat space is surprisingly good. Legroom-wise at least. Headroom and thigh support are still in somewhat short supply. This is a coupe after all. Truck space is pretty good at 12 cu. ft. and can be expanded by folding down the rear seats.

Performance/Handling:

The A5’s 3.2L V6 puts out 265 hp along with 243 lb-ft or torque. Not huge numbers in this day and age, especially when considering that the A5 is a portly 3900 lbs (with the auto). But I must admit that the acceleration felt on par with my IS, which tops the A5 by 40+ hp and 35 lb-ft. Published 0-60 time is less than 6 seconds and I don’t have any reason to doubt that. Transmission shifts are done well, especially if the Tiptronic is in the Sport mode. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the drivetrain.

In general, handling was good. There’s only so much you can do to make a two-ton car feel agile, but Audi’s been doing that with all their Quattro cars for a while now and they’re pretty good at it. The base power distribution is 60/40 rear/front, so they’re pushing to make the A5 feel more like a rear-wheel drive car. Seems to be working, I didn't push the car too hard but no understeer was evident. Steering feel is light, but not as light as the A4 I drove 3-4 years ago. On the whole, the car felt well balanced and gave an impression of being smaller than it is. Ride quality was good.

Fuel Economy:

The A5 is rated at 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. That’s keeping in line with most of the cars in this class. Which is good since the A5 outweighs most of them.

Reliability:

It’s too soon to know but Audi’s don’t have the best track record – especially around the electrical stuff. So we’ll see.

Safety:

There aren’t any IIHS ratings available for the A5. But the 2009 A4, which shares the same platform, received good ratings all around and was a top safety pick. I would expect similar results from the A5.

Summary:

Overall, I came away with positive feeling about the A5. It’s a great-looking, comfortable, slightly-sporty grand tourer. I’m not a big fan of the cabin tech and that might be enough to keep me away. The open question on reliability gives me pause as well. The emotional part of me still wants one – which is why I’m glad that I’m not actually buying a new car right now. But I can still look, right?
Amount Paid (US$): 50000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2009