Audi A5 road tests and consumer car reviews

Audi A5 1.8T Sport 2008

I owned a 1.8T Sport for 2 years from new as a company car. What looked good in the showroom rapidly turned into a disaster. In the first 12000 miles it had a new gearbox, two new clutches, a new drivers seat base, sagging leather and a new a/c ecu unit. Beware of manual A5s made before Feb 2010 as there is a design fault in the clutch actuation caused by the revised engine position (trying to get more 50/50); something is slightly offset and it causes the clutch action to become ’sticky’ when the car is hot due to expansion and friction. Two colleagues cars were also affected, but to a lesser degree. The dealer was apathetic and it took a complaint to Audi UK to make them take the problem seriously. In two years it spent a total of three months on the ramps. My experience is that the Audi product and customer service are second rate with a misplaced sense of arrogance. BMW in my experience is superior.

Audi A5 3.0 TDI Sport 2007

As soon as I saw this car I felt the looks alone merited a test drive. I ordered after the test drive, 3 years later and 65,000 miles of really enjoyable motoring. Engine has wide power band expected of a diesel and acceleration to shame most petrol engines in its class. Experience has show the downsides to be seat and steering wheel are difficult to get right especially if you are tall; feels like steering wheel could extend a few inches further to accomodate the position I need for long legs. Fuel economy is good and I would say the larger 19 inch rims are overspec’d (have a friend with one that has them) stay with the 18’s and the sport suspension and achieve a better ride balance and slightly cheaper tyre replacement costs.

Audi A5 1.8T Sportline 2008

It was love at first sight. I’ve never been a car-fanatic but when I started looking to buy, after having leased for many years, I was dumbfounded when I caught my first glimpse in the showroom. There was very little rationality in my decision, I had to have this car in some shape or form. Like many other owners/reviewers I spend at least a minute every day admiring this thing from various angles. The 1.8T S-Line is not overly powerful, but I did get it zip-tuned, which brought it up over 200hp along with other benefits. I’ve got the multimedia/nav, B&O sound, deep sea blue exterior and a custom leather package that beats what Audi delivers. The ride is a bit rougher than I’d like but I can live with it. I see myself in this car for 8-10 years with a bit of luck.

Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro 2007

Well what can I say, just coming up to 2 years of ownership of this car. It is still a stunning car. Power, Performance, Comfort and Looks, I still like just looking at the car as much as I enjoy driving it. Personally I think for the price you would find it hard to beat, yes its a diesel, no it doesn’t drive like. What would I change? Wish I had gone for 19" alloys as I recently saw one and they set the look of the car off even more... although the harder ride would probably put me off. I truly believe I would have to spend a lot more (38,750 for mine when I bought it) to get a car that looks, drives and feels as good as this.

Audi A5 3.0 tdi quattro 2008

What can I say but how disappointing this car was for me from the comfort of a driver’s point of view. Performance is great, especially in sports mode; shape and style also great depending on personal taste. However, the seating is uncomfortable (seats have plastic feel to them), the steering column and seating adjustment failed to provide me a suitable driving position. Be warned, you could soon lose interest in this car had it not been for its performance. If buying, ensure you take the vehicle on a long test drive. I feel there are better cars in this class but this is only my opinion.

Responses to this review

In response Jake, I felt that the driving position in mine was not perfect, being slightly off centre, however with careful adjustment and after 30,000 miles use I can say its is perfectly comfortable now - perhaps I have become used to it. The ride is a little hard on 19 inch low profile wheel/tyre combination but I think all the other plus points make it a great choice. I think the interior plastics and fit are fine - I have not seen better in this class - Fraser from Suffolk

Audi A5 2.7 sport tdi auto 2007

After working for Audi 13 years ago and helping to launch there new A4 i fell in love with the new brand. I now have a BMW and started looking for a 3 series Coupe this week, i found a 325 diesel (3ltr engine) Test drive was ok i was happy.... went to place an order at my local dealership..... On the way i passed my old Audi dealership that i had worked for so many years ago. I decided to go in..... Cut a long story short i test drove the A5.... O M G!!!! What a car!!! Every thing about this car is X10 BETTER than the BMW!!!! I have just placed an order for the SPORT TDI 2.7 AUTO..... I have spent 9k on extras and will probably sleep in the car!!!! He he xx so glad that i went in and met the A5 xxxx AUDI HAS GOT IT RIGHT!!!! I WOULD SAY GET YOUR BUM IN A SEAT!!! ITS 100%

Audi A5 3.0 TDI 2007

The first thing that attracted me about this car was its swooping, curvaceous looks, particularly the front and side views (not sure about the rear which looks a bit plump to my eyes!). But my principal reason for buying it was to combine real performance with low-emission economy and in this respect the 3.0TDI is genuinely amazing. The low-down turbo thrust of the engine has to be experienced to be believed yet I am getting close to 40 mpg on normal runs. It is totally effortless and extraordinarily refined for a diesel. In fact, it doesn’t even sound like one, the first time I have ever encountered this and the main reason I haven’t bought one before. Yes, you can hear the engine but it makes a unique muscular sound - deep and slightly offbeat, without a hint of diesel clatter under acceleration. And as for the rest of the car? Almost perfect for my needs. Yes, the 19 inch wheels I ordered do make the ride firm but nothing like my previous car, a TT 3.2. It’s always composed and effortless on cross country runs, nice direct steering, comfortable seats, controls which fall naturally to hand etc etc. My only disappointment, believe it or not, is the use of some hard and cheap feeling plastics around the instrument panel and central console, along with the excess of aluminium ’edging’ strips which remind me of Japanese cars from the 80’s. In fact I much prefer the instrument panel on my TT. I do hope Audi aren’t going the Mercedes route........

Audi A5 3.2 litre V6 2007

I bought the 3.2 litre V6 a couple of months ago and this is the best engine I’ve ever been lucky enough to drive. The car feels alive and can do 0-60 in 5 seconds, its very impressive. The build quality of the A5 is up to the usual Audi standards, magnificent that is. Great torque, this is a fantastic long distance cruiser that is very classy.

Audi A5 3.0-litre V6 2007

Brilliant coupe, the 3.0 litre V6 engine is very strong. This is, in my opinion, the best looking coupe, very classy and streamlined. There is great traction and the steering is sublime. Similar to the exterior, the interior is classy and refined with soft leather and aluminium. This is a very quick car with stunning torque that has terrific engines and it class and quality personified.

Audi A5 3.0TDi

The V6 Diesel is a fabulous car the drive. Beautiful to look at and drive. Excellent Audi build quality as you would expect from Audi. I get almost 40 MPG & the CO2 emissions make this car a sensible company car choice.