2016 Audi A5 Review

For 2016, every A5 comes standard with the S Line package, while Audi Connect online services are now available on the base Premium trim. The Premium Plus gets the Bang & Olufsen sound system as standard, and a red top is available on the convertible. The Prestige trim level has been dropped, and with it the formerly optional collision mitigation system.

If you've had your eye on the Audi A5 and its timeless style, you may consider buying one before its forthcoming redesign. The sleek 2016 A5 may be missing some of the latest technological features, but it still gets high marks for the way it drives and makes you feel. See why we're still fans after all this time.

There comes a time in many drivers' lives when prudent and practical car purchases have run their course. If that's where you find yourself these days, you're probably taking a long, hard look at cars like the 2016 Audi A5. From its subtly sexy exterior to its high-quality cabin, the A5 looks and feels classy. Mechanically, a turbocharged engine, standard all-wheel drive and a well-tuned suspension can turn any outing into a pleasure cruise. Add in the A4's wide range of comfort and convenience features and you've got a luxury two-door that would seem to be a great choice to revitalize your daily drive.

Classy styling is an Audi A5 hallmark.

All is not perfect, however. Although the A5's four-cylinder engine is peppy, its acceleration is ultimately a bit underwhelming for this price range. More objectionable, perhaps, is the A5's lack of standard Bluetooth audio connectivity and the unavailability of a USB port. Then there's the matter of safety technology. If you're intrigued by recent innovations like lane-keeping assist and collision mitigation with automatic braking, keep in mind that the 2016 A5 offers nothing more than a blind-spot monitor.

The Audi A5 has no shortage of attractive competitors. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and convertible are pricier, but some may find their stronger engines and additional safety features to be worth the extra money. We're also fond of the fully redesigned Audi TT, which delivers the latest tech and safety features plus plenty of performance. More comparable entries include the BMW 2 Series and BMW 4 Series, both of which are sportier and more up to date inside. There's also the 2016 Cadillac ATS coupe with its aggressive looks and excellent handling. Among this group, the 2016 Audi A5, as appealing as it is, nonetheless fades a bit in the background.

The all-wheel-drive 2016 Audi A5 is powered by a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the coupe, and an eight-speed automatic is available as an option on the coupe and comes standard on the convertible.

In Edmunds testing, an A5 with the manual transmission accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, an average time for this segment.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the A5 coupe are 26 mpg combined (22 city/32 highway) with the manual and 25 mpg combined (21/30) for the automatic. We managed an impressive 32 mpg in a manual coupe on the diverse 120-mile Edmunds driving evaluation loop. The A5 convertible gets 24 mpg combined (21/29).

Standard safety features for the 2016 Audi A5 include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side and knee airbags and (for the coupe) full-length side curtain airbags. A blind-spot monitoring system, a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors are all exclusively available on the Premium Plus trim.

In simulated panic stops from 60 mph at our test facility, an A5 coupe with the 19-inch wheels and summer tires needed just 108 feet to come to a standstill. This is an excellent performance, though rivals with summer tires generally post similar distances.

The 2016 A5's nicely calibrated suspension delivers a rewarding balance of athletic cornering and a livable ride. Picking the optional sport suspension firms up handling but doesn't fully ruin the ride comfort, so it's the way to go if you want the most sport from the A5. The standard all-wheel-drive system both enhances dry pavement performance and adds some extra peace of mind when roads turn slick.

Though packing only 220 horsepower, the 2016 Audi A5 feels suitably sporty.

By sport-luxury standards, the A5's turbocharged four-cylinder engine is modest in terms of both speed and sound. That said, it still produces fairly zesty acceleration in everyday driving, along with pleasing fuel economy numbers. Those in search of more thrust are advised to check out Audi's performance-oriented S5.

Audi consistently earns high marks for its classy cabins, and the 2016 A5 is no exception. The design is handsome without too much flash, and the look is complemented by high-quality materials and excellent workmanship. Basic gauges and controls are straightforward, though the standard MMI system's dash-mounted control knob can make performing some common operations a bit cumbersome. The upgraded "high" MMI interface that comes with the optional navigation system benefits from a slightly larger display screen, simplified menus and a more ergonomic control knob located on the center console. Incidentally, this upgrade also brings Bluetooth streaming audio, though USB connectivity is absent from every A5; you're stuck with Audi's odd proprietary music interface instead.

The A5 is based on Audi's A4 sedan and shares its well-built interior.

The standard front seats offer good comfort on long drives, though those who plan on exploring the A5's performance potential will prefer the available sport seats with their bigger side bolsters. The rear seats are another story, as their lack of head- and legroom make them best suited to pint-size passengers. We do like the convertible's power-operated soft top for its quick operation and impressive wind noise insulation.

In terms of cargo capacity, the coupe's trunk offers a healthy 12.2 cubic feet of storage. The convertible isn't much worse at 10.2 cubic feet. Either way, the standard 50/50-split rear seatbacks open up additional cargo room when folded.