2017 Audi A5 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What’s new

　　After nine years, this first-generation Audi A5 is set to be replaced by an all-new model next year. In its final year of the current generation, the 2017 A5 is only offered in one well-appointed trim.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Nine years is a long time for a car to go without a redesign. In the case of the 2017 Audi A5, it's a testament to how well it was designed in the first place. With a replacement on the horizon, this outgoing A5 remains a solid choice among luxury coupes thanks to its timeless styling inside and out, as well as its impeccable balance of performance and comfort.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Audi A5 Sport quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$175/mo  for A5 Sport quattro

　　A5 Sport quattro

　　Sport quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $41,200 MSRPSport quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $42,200 MSRPSport quattro 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $48,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　As well as it has held up over time, there are signs of age. The more advanced features available on rivals are not offered, and where the Audi once held an advantage, it's now considered average. If you're looking for the latest high-tech features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and frontal collision mitigation, you're out of luck with the 2017 Audi A5. Performance is also merely average for the class, though still plenty capable when you consider that all-wheel drive is standard.

　　If the latest features are what you crave, it's worth checking out some of the A5's chief competitors like the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe.

　　Standard safety features for all 2017 Audi A5 models include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear parking sensors and front-seat side and knee airbags. The coupe further benefits from full-length side curtain airbags. A blind-spot monitor is optional.

　　In zzdcar brake testing, the A5 coupe with the 19-inch wheels and summer tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 108 feet. It's an impressively short distance but about what we expect from similar vehicles.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Even though the 2017 Audi A5 has fallen behind the times somewhat and a replacement is coming for 2018, it still has plenty to offer. From sleek styling to confident on-road manners, it deserves a spot on your short list of luxury coupes.

　　

Driving

　　The 2017 Audi A5 instills cornering confidence with its well-tuned suspension and standard all-wheel drive. Whether it's a rain-slicked road or a challenging mountain switchback, the sleek coupe tracks predictably flat right where the driver intends. Adding the optional Sport package firms up the ride somewhat, but not at the expense of ride comfort.

　　Power from the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is adequate, but not impressive. Drivers with a healthier appetite for performance would do well to check out the more powerful S5 model. Still, the A5 remains a well-balanced choice for comfort, luxury and athleticism that will satisfy the majority of drivers.

　　

Interior

　　As is the case with the 2017 Audi A5's exterior, its interior has stood the test of time and continues to impress with its elegant simplicity and excellent materials. Most controls are logically placed and all buttons and knobs have a quality feel. It loses some points for the lack of a USB port, opting instead for a proprietary cable that only supports the latest Apple devices.

　　Front passengers will appreciate the well shaped seats that provide plenty of support over extended trips. More performance-oriented drivers will likely enjoy the added side bolstering of the optional sport seats. Rear seat passengers on the other hand, will find the child-sized accommodations lacking in head and legroom. The convertible top does get high marks for its quick operation and ability to keep out wind and road noise.

　　Cargo capacity for the coupe comes to 12.2 cubic feet, which is smaller than rivals. The convertible takes away another two cubic feet, but the folding rear seats offer good overflow space.

　　

2017 Audi A5 models

　　The 2017 Audi A5 is a four-passenger luxury coupe that is also available as a cabriolet (convertible). The higher-performing S5 is covered in a separate model review.

　　The sole A5 Sport trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, headlight washers, LED running lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a sunroof, a rear spoiler, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar, split-folding rear seats, a universal garage door opener, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker stereo with satellite radio and iPhone input. The cabriolet adds a power-folding cloth top and a wind blocker.

　　Options are bundled in packages and include the Convenience package (keyless entry/ignition, auto-dimming mirrors, heated front seats), Sport package (a sport-tuned suspension, selectable drive modes, a black headliner, front sport seats), Black Optic package (19-inch gloss black wheels with summer tires and black exterior trim) and the Technology package (adaptive headlights, a blind-spot monitor, a color trip computer screen, a navigation system, a rearview camera, Audi's MMI infotainment system with a controller mounted on the center console, Google maps and services, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo with CD/DVD player).

　　Powering the Audi A5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the coupe while an eight-speed automatic is standard on the convertible and optional on the coupe.

　　In zzdcar testing, the A5 with the manual transmission accelerated to 60 mph in a class-average 6.3 seconds.

　　The EPA estimates fuel economy at 26 mpg combined (22 mpg city/32 mpg highway) for the manual transmission. The automatic is rated at 25 mpg combined (21 city/30 highway) for the coupe and 24 mpg combined (21 city/29 highway) for the convertible. These estimates are better than the class average.

　　

2017 A5 Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleConvertible

　　

Base MSRP	$48,600
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles