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Audi A5 Coupe road test report

Coupe

Audi’s ever-expanding repertoire now includes the A5 Coupe as a direct rival to the BMW 3-Series Coupe. The A5’s sleek lines are matched by its good looking cabin, while a broad choice of engines, transmissions and the option of Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive mean there’s an A5 Coupe to suit every buyer’s or business user’s needs. It’s a great first effort from Audi in this sector, but is it enough to knock the BMW from its lofty perch?

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Audi A5 Coupe

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ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

The least potent A5 Coupe comes with a 158bhp 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine. It does a sound but uninspiring job of taking the A5 from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds, but to gain the sort of performance you’d expect of a svelte coupe you need to look at the 178bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo and beyond. The 2.0-litre offers 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and feels much brisker as it pushes through its six manually selected gears. Better still is the 208bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol, which can be bought in the same front-wheel drive format as the less powerful petrol engines or with Quattro all-wheel drive. Despite the added weight of the four-wheel drive, the Quattro version sees off 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds to the front-drive model’s 6.9 seconds thanks to the added traction of all four wheels sharing the work. Quickest of the petrol bunch is the 3.2-litre V6 that packs 261bhp and can be ordered with a Multitronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and front-wheel drive or as a six-speed manual with Quattro four-wheel drive. The manual with all-wheel drive is the one to choose as the Multitronic ’box blunts performance, giving 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds to the manual’s 6.1 seconds, and is oddly unsatisfying to use. For the swiftest A5 Coupe, you’ll want the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel that has four-wheel drive and a manual gearbox to dispense 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, though this engine is at its best when making use of its prodigious mid-rev shove in third and fourth gears. Lower down the diesel range, the 187bhp 2.7-litre V6 turbodiesel is only offered with the Multitronic transmission and its 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds feels disappointing. Much better is the 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 167bhp and front- or four-wheel drive for 0-62mph in 8.3- and 8.2 seconds respectively.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 3 stars

Whether you choose an A5 Coupe with front or four-wheel drive, they all supply more than enough grip for everyday driving and cornering security. The front-drive models will scrub their tyres more readily when being pushed hard through tighter corners, where the Quattro versions dig in a bit harder. Even so, no A5 Coupe has the measure of its direct rival from the BMW 3-Series Coupe range, not helped by the A5’s steering not dishing up as much feel or sensitivity as the BMW’s. Audi is also yet to consistently offer a supple ride and agile handling balance in the A5 Coupe. In lesser models it’s acceptable but the more firmly suspended S Line models cross over into being too harsh on most roads. Audi’s optional Drive Select system that lets the driver choose between comfort, normal and sports settings for the suspension and steering is simply a waste of money that has little bearing on how the car behaves. Compensation comes for the A5 Coupe in its hushed manners at higher speeds where it swaps coupe sportiness for saloon-like refinement.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

Using many of the same components and engines as found in other Audi models, the A5 Coupe’s mechanics are tried, tested and trusted. The bodywork is flawlessly put together, with exact shut lines and a solid thunk as the doors are closed. Most of the cabin is finished to a very high standard, with only some cheaper-looking plastics letting the side down in the visual stakes. Even so, the A5 Coupe is a sporty model that should go on and on without any stroppiness.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

Every A5 Coupe model comes loaded with six airbags, ESP electronic stability and traction control, Isofix child seat mounts in the front and rear seats, and ABS anti-lock brakes. There’s also an alarm and deadlocks to keep thieves walking past, and Audi has an enviable reputation when it comes to foiling thieves who try to drive off in the car without the aid of the key. A lane departure warning system is an option for all A5 Coupes, while a blind spot warning lets the driver know when a passing car is out of sight of the driver’s usual field of vision.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 3 stars

Coupes are not designed to be the most practical cars under the sun, but the A5 Coupe still misses out on offering as much rear seat space as the BMW 3-Series Coupe. Clambering into the back of the Audi is a pantomime for adults, but at least children have enough room once ensconced. Adults with find knee and headroom too cramped for anything other than brief trips. In the front, there’s ample room for the driver and plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. Rear parking sensors are a welcome standard feature as the high window line of the A5 Coupe makes reversing a tricky business otherwise, but vision in other directions is fine. The dash is the same as used in the A4 saloon, so it’s logical and easy to fathom. Out back, the boot is a good size for a coupe and will hold plenty of luggage.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Audis have undoubted desirability and the A5 Coupe is no different in this respect. Many will choose it simply because it’s not a BMW and that is true of used buyers too, which helps keep A5 Coupe used values very strong. The diesel models are sought after in the used market, so consider which engine you choose in a new A5 Coupe carefully if you want the maximum return when you come to sell. Economy and emissions are generally good across the range, with the exception of the 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine that can only manage 31.7mpg and a hefty 213g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. Far better is the 2.0-litre turbodiesel’s 55.4mpg and 139g/km for the front-drive version. All A5 Coupes come with air conditioning, CD stereo, electric windows and alloy wheels, but you will have to add niceties such as leather seats and an upgraded stereo from the options list for most A5 models.

Submitted: 04/06/2010 09:59:35

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