2019 Audi A5 Sportback
The A5 Sportback is the stylish fastback companion to Audi's compact A4 sedan. Its strengths include a swanky interior, composed handling, a spacious interior, and the four-seasons capability of quattro all-wheel drive.
It's part of a line-up that includes coupe and convertible variants of both the A5 and the S5, the S5 Sportback, and the immensely powerful RS 5.
Overview
With classic "look at me" proportions, a fast-sloping roof line, and an aggressive face, the A5 Sportback continues Audi's departure from the brand's outgoing design language, which was elegant yet decidedly understated. The A5 features sleek headlights, a bold rendition of Audi's trademarked singleframe radiator grille and an aggressive front bumper.
Inside, the A5 upholds Audi's reputation for high-quality cabins with a sleek dashboard, plenty of soft-touch materials and user-friendly controls. Available features include Audi's MMI infotainment system and Audi Connect, which brings in-car internet connectivity and Google Earth integration - complete with panoramic views and high-resolution 3D satellite and aerial imagery.
It's more spacious than the A4 and the A5 coupe. It offers 21.8 cubic feet of trunk space with five passengers abroad and a crossover-like 35 cubes with the second-row seats folded flat.
Under the hood
The A5 is available with a single engine: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The sprint from zero to 60 mph takes 5.7 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system both come standard. Fuel mileage checks in at 24 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg in a combined cycle.
Standard and optional features
The A5 can be had in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels.
The Premium trim comes standard with a 10-speaker sound system, voice control, a seven-inch infotainment screen, HD Radio, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and start, a HomeLink transceiver, rain-sensing wipers, Audi's pre-sense city and basic technologies, leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, a manually-adjustable steering column, automatic headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Premium Plus models add Audi side assist and pre-sense rear, Audi connect, full LED headlights, a hands-free trunk lid, and heated front seats.
Finally, the Prestige trim builds on the other two with Audi's virtual cockpit, a head-up display, navigation, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, navigation, and a top-view camera.
Highlights from the list of standalone options include oak inlays, sport seats, 19-inch alloy wheels. Some features included in the Prestige trim can be added to the two Premium trims at an extra cost, like navigation and the 19-speaker sound system. Buyers also have several option packages to choose from.
Occupant safety
Every A5 Sportback comes with dual front, side, curtain, and front knee airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems.
Key competitors
Buyers in the market for an A5 Sportback don't have many options to choose from. Its closest rival is the Volkswagen Arteon. Motorists can also consider the more awkward-looking BMW 6 Series GT.