2021 Audi A5 Review

Name: 2021 Audi A5 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 22994 USD
Rating: 4.8 (28 reviews)

2021 Audi A5 Prestige S line 45 TFSI quattro 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

2021 Audi A5 Prestige S line 45 TFSI quattro 4dr Hatchback Exterior. European Model Shown.

+50

Used A5 for sale

$22,994 - $36,998

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Audi A5 model years

Audi A5 for Sale

Audi A5 types

Hatchback
Coupe
Convertible

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2021 Audi A5 Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Understated and classy interior
Strong overall performance
Plenty of standard and optional tech features

Cons

Limited interior storage

What's new

New 12-volt mild hybrid system adds 13 horsepower
Wireless Apple CarPlay and lane departure warning are now standard
New A5 Sportback 40 TFSI Quattro with less horsepower from 2.0-liter engine
Part of the second A5 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

In an automotive landscape dominated by the SUV and all of its various subdivisions, the two-door coupe feels like an endangered species. Only a handful of automakers, mostly European, offer a coupe in their lineup, and most hedge their bets with a complementary four-door model built in the sleek shape of a sport coupe. Among the standouts in this shrinking class is the 2021 Audi A5.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi A5 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$191/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Built on the same foundation as the A4 sedan, the A5 trades four-door utility for large measures of style. Its sweeping roofline, larger wheels and sculpted rear panels make it one of the sharpest-looking coupes on the road today. The A5 is also available as a convertible and, yes, a four-door hatchback known as the Sportback.

The A5 interior features impeccable interior design and infotainment based around a 10-inch high-resolution display. The A5 even now offers wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Android Auto users are still out of luck for wireless support, although a USB cable connection comes standard.

Other A5 changes in 2021 include more horsepower (up 13 horsepower) thanks to a light electric-assist motor that shoulders certain low-intensity tasks typically handled by the engine. Key tech features also filter down one trim level, with lane keeping assist and a surround-view camera now standard on the Premium Plus, for example.

For 2021, the A5 Sportback variant offers a second option, with less horsepower at a lower cost. It's the most affordable entry point into the A5 lineup — and arguably the most useful with its four doors and 40/20/40-split folding rear seat. The coupe and convertible only offer 50/50-split folding seats.

We think the A5 is a smart pick for a small luxury coupe or convertible even against the likes of the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The A5 Sportback version is similarly appealing. If the luxury sport coupe is indeed seeing its final days, the A5 remains one of its strongest survivors.

Which A5 does Edmunds recommend?

The Premium Plus hits the sweet spot. You get all the goodness of the base Premium trim, along with extras including upgraded headlights, heated steering wheel and additional leather interior trim. Premium Plus also adds adaptive cruise control and parking sensors among other desirable driver aids.

2021 Audi A5 models

The 2021 Audi A5 is offered as a two-door coupe or convertible or as a four-door hatchback called the Sportback. Each body style offers three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Most come with a turbocharged 261-horsepower four-cylinder engine (called 45 TSFI), a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The exception is the new 40 TSFI version of the Sportback, which has 201 hp. Audi also sells the higher-performance S5, reviewed separately.

Premium
The A5 Premium base trim comes with a generous feature set that feels anything but entry-level. Highlights include:

18-inch alloy wheels
LED headlights
Heated side mirrors
Panoramic sunroof
Power liftgate (Sportback)
Three-zone automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable, heated front seats
Ambient cabin lighting

Technology and safety features include:

10.1-inch central touchscreen
Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Premium Plus
Moving up one tier to the Premium Plus adds tech and convenience touches, such as:

Upgraded LED headlights
Keyless entry
Auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors
Digital instrument panel
Driver-seat memory functions
Heated steering wheel
Faux leather-wrapped center console and armrests
Wireless charging pad with a signal booster
Satellite radio
Dual USB charge ports in rear (Sportback)

Standard driver aids include:

Front and rear parking sensors
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the A5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the A5 and the car in front)
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
Lane keeping assist (steers the A5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Prestige
The Prestige trim maxes out the tech and comfort features, including:

19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Navigation system
Head-up display
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Some features on a higher trim are available on a lower trim as options. Other notable additions include:

S Line interior package (leather and faux suede seats, brushed aluminum trim)
Black Optic package (19-inch wheels, aluminum and black accents)
Sport suspension
Ventilated front seats
Bang & Olufsen premium sound system

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#6 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi A5 from 2008-2022.}

$636/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.26x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.2%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi A5.

5 (86%)

4 (11%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (3%)

4.8

28 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 28 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

2019 A5 Coupe Premium

Alex, 01/31/2021

2019 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I bought the car CPO in October of last year. I can’t say enough about how impressed I am with the overall performance. It’s peppy, quiet and very comfortable. After owning a BMW 440, a Infiniti Q50, and a Mercedes E350 I am sold on the Audi brand.

unexpected rocket

new car user, 12/31/2019

2019 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I've had my sport back for a week. bought it as certified pre owned- got a good deal as its the end of the year, etc. I'm not sure why I was in the dealer for 5+ hours! You'd think that "old school" approach to car buying could be fixed by now. The one I opted for happened to have the "S" trim line and the "black optic package". Which, basically added a few trim pieces and a 3D B&O …

A5 Sportback

Paul H. Fritz, 02/27/2019

2019 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I have had the car for over a month and love it. It rides great and with 4 driver modes you can select how you want the steering response is to be. The cooled seats are great (I live in Florida). This is actually a sports car in disguise. The reason I say this is getting in and out is a bit of chore till you figure out what is best for you. I use the steering wheel as a support to …

Fun car, happy with purchase.

NPJ, 06/24/2019

2019 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Overall I give it 4 stars. I tend to have high expectations when it comes to cars, and its difficult to find a vehicle in today's market that checks all of the boxes. This car comes close, with some minor annoyances. Pros: Great look, gets lots of compliments with the blue exterior and black optic package. Comfortable ride, great handling/acceleration, lots of room in the back for …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Audi A5, so we've included reviews for other years of the A5 since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the Audi A5

Write a vehicle review

2021 A5 Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,800
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$191/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the A5 models:

Audi Pre Sense City: Warns of an impending front collision and automatically applies the brakes if you don't.
Audi Side Assist: Notifies you if there's a car in your blind spot and alerts you if you activate the turn signal.
Vehicle Exit Warning: Alerts passengers when a vehicle or bicyclist is approaching from behind, to prevent them from opening the door into traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Audi A5 Review

2021 Audi A5 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Which A5 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Audi A5 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi A5.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

2019 A5 Coupe Premium

unexpected rocket

A5 Sportback

Fun car, happy with purchase.

2021 A5 Highlights

Safety

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