Audi A5 2021 review: Sportback 45 TFSI

Want a good looking car? You’ve come to the right review. The Audi A5 Sportback is one of those cars people ask me about on the street. Is the A5 a family car, though? It can be, if you want to ditch your bulky SUV for a much sleeker Sportback. 

I test drove the A5 45 TFSI quattro, which is in the middle of the range and costs $79,990, before on-road costs. It competes with cars like the BMW 3 series and the Volvo S60 and I drove it with my family over seven days for this week’s family review. 

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Audi A5 2021 review

How does it look?

With an angled front, rounded body and long back, Audi’s A5 is one of the best looking cars on the road. It’s modern and sophisticated and has been designed for those who like to drive in style. 

Audi’s A5 is one of the best looking cars on the road. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

The interior is just as good, with a premium aesthetic as soon as you open the door. This model has the 'S line' interior which means heated nappa leather seats, and a leather steering wheel with a flat bottom. It’s the perfect small size and contributes to the great feeling you get when driving the car. 

Brushed aluminium trims throughout, including those on the foot pedals, add to luxe effect. The centre console is a lesson in elegant simplicity and the digital cockpit in front of the steering wheel, with a customisable view, keeps things super modern.

This model has the 'S line' interior which means heated nappa leather seats, and a leather steering wheel with a flat bottom. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

How does it drive?

One of the best things about driving the A5 is the smooth, quiet feeling of a responsive engine. It’s quick off the mark and almost instantly zooms when you need it to.

There’s a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine which gives you power to get up hills quickly. 

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine makes 185kW/370Nm. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

Highway driving feels very cruisy though you have to watch your speed which can creep up without you realising, and overtaking is a breeze.

The steering turns nice and easily and the car is agile in traffic, especially when compared to an SUV. 

The A5 Sportback is a fairly sizable car, but not as long as a wagon.

It’s a fairly long car. Not as long as a wagon, yet longer than a sedan, but once you’re used to the length, parking is easy enough.

There’s a high definition reverse parking camera and a 360-degree view and it has park assist, so if all else fails and you throw your hands up despair, the car will park itself for you.

Explore the 2021 Audi A5 Range

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How spacious is it?

This is the key question if you’re looking at an A5 as your main family vehicle. It doesn’t disappoint in the front, there is enough leg space and head space for tall people to fit comfortably. 

The back is a little tighter but It’s spacious enough for children, and I’m able to fit comfortably at 161cm (6'3"). Those who are super tall may not find it as spacious as an SUV. 

The back is a little tighter but It’s spacious enough for children. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

Still, if you’re really hankering for a sporty looking car, I suspect the fact that it’s got four doors at all may be enough to get you thinking it’s a family car, as opposed to two doors in the A5 Coupe. So kids will at least be able to climb into their seats via their own door. 

The boot is a good 480L which is plenty to fit a pram, or a large and medium suitcase. It’s long, rather than high, as in an SUV, so it’s not as convenient to load, but those are the payoffs if you’re after a good looking car like this one. 

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How easy is it to use every day?

There’s a fair amount of automation in the new A5, with power adjustable front seats, keyless entry, and the park brake goes on and off automatically, yet you miss out on a power tailgate.

The front seats are heated and they are sport seats so very comfortable. And you’ll get a head-up display in the windscreen so you can see your speed without averting your eyes from the road. 

The front seats are heated and power adjustable. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

For storage you’ll find two cupholders in the front, a space for keys and a phone, a centre storage bin and bottle holders in each door. Rear passengers get two cupholders in the centre armrest and their own directional air vents. 

Rear passengers get their own directional air vents. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

What’s the tech like?

The tech has been markedly improved by a new large 10.1-inch screen which now takes centre stage and looks great. It comes with 'Audi Connect' which includes navigation and updated traffic information, as well as parking and weather info.

There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can immediately sync with your phone’s main apps and you can navigate or stream music that way. 

The 10.1-inch screen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (image credit: Dean McCartney)

There are 10 speakers as standard and if you want Bang & Olufsen speakers you can option them in.  

How safe is it?

In the A5 Sportback 45 TFSI you’ll get a full suite of advanced safety including adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, active lane assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, which I actually needed while driving this week.

I was reversing out of a Westfield shopping centre car space and it kicked in, preventing a possible collision. 

There are eight airbags, as well as two ISOFIX points and three top tether points for baby capsules/child restraints. The A5 scored a full five ANCAP stars when it was tested in 2017.

How much does it cost to own?

The Audi A5 Sportback 45 TFSI costs $79,900, before on road costs and extras. Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.1L/100km and I averaged 9.2L/100m over a week of driving, mostly around suburbia. 

It’s covered by (a now very lacking) three year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 15,000km.

You can also pre-pay your service costs for three or five years, which will cost $1800 for three years or $2820 for five years.

Pricing & Specs Insurance Quote

Verdict

Pricing Guides

$61,384

Based on 15 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.

LOWEST PRICE

$53,990

HIGHEST PRICE

$71,880

See all Audi A5 pricing & specs