Audi A5

Name: 2026 Audi A5
Brand: Audi

CR MPG:

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Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The redesigned A5 is the result of Audi consolidating the A4 and A5 into one model. For the North American market, the German automaker dropped the A4 sedan, convertible, and wagon (Avant) body styles, choosing to go with just the A5 four-door, which has a roofline that looks like it slopes into a conventional trunk, but is actually a hatchback. This isn’t a completely surprising move; more and more automakers have been moving away from cars as consumers tend to favor SUVs. Still, it’s a major change of direction in the luxury car market, as main competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz still offer an array of small sedans, coupes, and convertibles in the U.S.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

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Audi A5

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Acura TLX

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Best

5 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Best

5 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Best

5 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury small cars Ratings

2026 Audi A5

$50,200 - $63,300

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Acura Integra

$33,400 - $53,400

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Acura TLX

$45,400 - $58,050

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia

$43,995 - $51,995

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Audi A3

$40,100 - $52,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Audi A4

$42,000 - $44,100

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

$39,600 - $49,500

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW 3 Series

$47,500 - $87,700

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Cadillac CT4

$36,000 - $63,600

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Cadillac CT5

$49,200 - $98,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Genesis G70

$43,450 - $58,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus IS

$45,500 - $49,950

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$49,650 - $88,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA

$42,750 - $67,550

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Volvo S60

$42,600 - $51,000

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Volvo V60

$52,300 - $57,600

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

4-door hatchback

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

2-liter 4 turbo (268 hp)
3-liter V6 turbo (362 hp)

7-speed sequential

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Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion 12 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance 3 years/30,000 miles

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Model History

2025-Present

Current Generation

For 2025, Audi consolidated almost its entire lineup of small luxury cars into the A5 and its sporty S5 variant, replacing the A4 sedan, A4 Allroad wagon, S4, and the A5 coupe and convertible. The A4 is replaced by a redesigned version of what is now called the A5 Sportback, which is a four-door model with a hatchback-like trunk opening. There are only two engine options: The A5 gets a 268-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder, while the S5 gets a 362-hp, turbocharged V6. All A5/S5 models have all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. We found the A5 pleasant and confidence-inspiring to drive, with quick steering, well-controlled body roll, and strong brakes, which make it an engaging car to hustle along a curvy road. It also benefits from a quiet cabin, comfortable front seats, and the added cargo-carrying ability that comes with its hatchback design. The overall experience is marred by two fairly glaring issues: The first is the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission’s lurching and hesitation at low speeds. The other sore point is the A5’s unintuitive controls, many of which are frustrating to use while driving. The outgoing A4 and A5 Sportback were sold alongside the new A5 for a short time.

2018-2024

2018 Redesign Year

The 2018 A5 and S5 coupe and convertible have been redesigned. The A5 gets a 252-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The S5 is powered by a 354-hp, 3.0-liter turbo V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard. The Sportback, a four-door hatchback, is also be available. Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. For 2022, the S line comes with a firmer, sport-oriented suspension. For 2024, all A5s get standard adaptive cruise control.

2008-2017

2008 Redesign Year

The exceptionally handsome Audi A5 coupes and convertibles have quiet and luxurious cabins with accommodations for four. Although the rear seat is snug, it's one of the best in any convertible. The Audi two-door drives well, demonstrating agile handling and a taut, but compliant suspension system. The A5 initially used a 3.2-liter V6 engine in the base model, while the S5 performance version featured a 4.2-liter V8. A turbocharged four-cylinder arrived in 2010, delivering ample power but sounding raspy. The V6 was dropped in 2013. The eight-speed automatic is super-smooth. The convertible has a shudder-free body structure and is almost devoid of wind buffeting. What's more, the well-insulated soft top can be operated while driving at low speeds. The revised S5 uses a supercharged V6 with a seven-speed automated manual transmission.