2018 Audi A5 Review

Name: 2018 Audi A5 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 23998 USD
Rating: 4.6 (44 reviews)

2018 Audi A5 Premium Plus quattro Coupe Exterior. European Model Shown.

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$23,998 - $27,998

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Interior that's understated and classy
Strong overall performance
Loads of tech features and options

Cons

Interior storage is limited

What’s new

For 2018, the Audi A5 is fully redesigned.

Vehicle overview

The previous-generation Audi A5 was one of our favorite luxury two-doors. Sleek styling and a premium interior helped set it apart from its German rivals. It was getting a bit dated in the last few years, though, which is why we're happy to see the debut of the redesigned 2018 Audi A5.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A5 Premium quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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

$195/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2018, the coupe and convertible A5 models return, joined by a new hatchback (the Sportback) that has four doors. Seeing a four-door A5 might seem a little strange to you if you're used to the model just being a two-door. But like the bigger A7 hatchback, the new A5 Sportback enhances the car's cargo-carrying versatility. Other notable changes this year include a more powerful four-cylinder engine and the inclusion of Audi's latest technology and safety features.

Although we haven't yet tested the A5, we have driven the mechanically similar A4 sedan and higher-performing S5 coupe. With that background, we're confident stating Audi has another winner on its hands. The A5 checks all of the boxes required in the class for performance, comfort, luxury and technology. It gets an additional edge for its sleek styling, elegantly simple cabin and easy-to-use infotainment system. On top of that, there are plenty of advanced safety features that its predecessor was missing. Pitted against the typical leaders in the class that include the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, we place the A5 at the top.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

The fully redesigned 2018 Audi A5 brings its A game to the luxury sport coupe class with graceful styling, strong performance, an elegantly simple interior and cutting-edge technology that's easy to use. We consider it the best in the class.

Trim tested

Edmunds has not yet driven any version of the 2018 Audi A5. However, we've driven the related A4 and S5. Here's our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

Driving

If the mechanically similar A4 sedan is any indication, the A5 will rise to the top when it comes to performance. It will also score slightly above average for everyday drivability. We do suspect there will be a slight hesitation from the four-cylinder engine upon initial acceleration, though.

Comfort

The A5's seats are firm and well shaped for hours of comfortable driving. The cabin should be as quiet and isolating as those of the A4 and S5 that we've evaluated, and the available adaptive suspension should smooth out the ride further.

Interior

The A5 gets high marks for its modern and elegantly simple interior. Materials quality is excellent for the class, and the controls are just where you'd want them as a driver. The rear seats are rather small and best suited for smaller passengers.

Utility

The A5's 11.6-cubic-foot trunk isn't the biggest in the class, but it should be enough for most cargo, and the flat load floor and handy hooks score it additional points. Interior storage is merely adequate to hold your personal items.

Technology

Audi's MMI is one of the easier infotainment systems to operate, and the screen placement further reduces distraction. The available virtual instrument panel is as appealing to the eyes as it is useful and effective. It makes cutting-edge tech as accessible as it can be.

2018 Audi A5 models

The redesigned 2018 Audi A5 is available in its typical two-door coupe and convertible (Cabriolet) body styles as well as a new four-door hatchback (the Sportback). All A5s are available in Premium, Premium Plus or Prestige trims and are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (252 horsepower, 273 pound-feet of torque). All-wheel drive is also included, as is a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is only available on the A5 coupe.

Standard Premium trim features include 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, a sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, selectable drive modes, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats, folding rear seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, a 7-inch infotainment display with Audi's MMI interface, a rearview camera, and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, two USB ports and HD radio. Low-speed frontal collision warning and mitigation is also included.

Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim gets you LED headlights, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, Audi's Connect Care (with 4G LTE connection and emergency telematics), rear collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, heated front seats, driver-seat memory functions and satellite radio.

The Prestige trim rounds out the lineup with a head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, simulated leather upholstery for the center console and armrests, a digital instrument panel, remote vehicle function controls via a smartphone app, a top-down parking camera system, an 8.3-inch infotainment display and a navigation system.

Most features on the upper trim levels are available on supporting trims as options. Other add-ons include 20-inch wheels, high-performance summer tires, sporty S line exterior embellishments, adaptive steering, a sport suspension, ventilated sport seats and a heated steering wheel.

The Prestige model is also eligible for the Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic high-beams and a traffic sign reader) and an adaptive suspension.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#17 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.}

$549/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).}

0.59x/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).}

15.4%

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 2018 Audi A5.

5 (80%)

4 (11%)

3 (5%)

2 (2%)

1 (2%)

4.6

44 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Worthwhile Upgrade From 2014 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Roger Baim, 06/29/2017

2018 Audi A5 Prestige quattro 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

This is my second consecutive Audi A5 Cabriolet and I'm an enthusiastic supporter of this car. I traded out of my low mileage 2014 model entirely based on the migration of virtually all of the latest technology & safety features from the higher end Audi models to the current A4 & A5 platforms. Especially important to me was inclusion of Audi's version of cross traffic (rear) … monitoring; although my 2014 had "Blind Spot Monitoring", this back-up feature was not previously available in the A5. IMO, this is an almost essential safety feature where I live because of the number of large cars & pick-up trucks which make backing out of parking spaces a nightmare. I also enjoy the convenience of the Heads Up Display and the Virtual Cockpit rendering of the main display. The optional adaptive cruise control provides semi-autonomous driving and has been of great assistance while driving in the stop and go traffic conditions which I encounter on a daily basis. The 2018 model has a more powerful engine and there has been further improvement of the suspension system. My Prestige trim level's insulated cloth top now provides better sound insulation than in the 2014 model and there has been an improvement in the way in which the top stores in the trunk (relative to storage capacity). I preferred the more classic body style of the 2014 A5, as the newly sharpened/enhanced sheet metal lines seem only to have been changed to compete with BMW & M-B. I truly dislike what has been done to the interior of the car. Compared to the "quiet" and integrated European appearance of the 2014 A5. To me, the straight across dashboard of the 2018 looks like a mid-80s GM product. Optional wood veneers shriek "plastic" and the standard shiny metal trim doesn't match the other metallic components in the cockpit. I'm not a fan of the new non-retractable separate (top center dash mounted) display screen which has become favored by European makers; note that this display is NOT a touch screen, but is controlled by a large ("MMI") knob in the center console. It is convenient, however, to be able to show different displays on this screen and the virtual cockpit, giving the driver exceptional control of information. The 2018 A5 accepts Android Auto and Apple Car Play and there is seamless integration of these programs with regards to navigation and media; unfortunately, Audi does not currently permit "Waze" or other non-media applications in Android Auto (compared with other manufacturers). My biggest disappointment is with the lack of interior space in the cabin. The glove box is now essentially useless, as Audi has moved the bulky CD & SD card player to that location from the center stack; there isn't even enough room to put the owner's manual case there (I've NEVER owned a car with that limitation). The center console storage space is VERY shallow and not completely covered by the adjustable center arm rest; a small covered cubbyhole is provided in the lower dash to the left of the driver in a location which is not easy to safely access while driving. Please note that Audi does not provide ANY ability to equip the A5 with an ash tray & lighter/receptacle, not even as a build option when ordering the car to specifications from Germany (this option is available in Europe). It seems that there was little (if any) input from actual drivers regarding these convenience features. Setting aside my complaints about the shortcomings of the interior space, I absolutely LOVE the 2018 A5. Its combination of all precise wheel drive handling in any weather/road condition, more powerful engine and outstanding/state-of-the-art technology made it a no-brainer for me to upgrade from an already superb 2014 A5 Cabriolet.

2nd Time A5 Owner, 5 Times Audi Owner

Steve T, 11/12/2017

2018 Audi A5 Prestige quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

This car is a great followup to the prior generation A5. I bought the Sportback after owning the prior generation Coupe. Feels like the same car. The fit, finish and performance are excellent. The dealership Sewell in Houston is phenomenal. I love the MMI navigation and controls. My only complaint is the subscription based services for the Infotainment system should be monthly not …

Best car I have ever driven in my life

1sebringnow, 08/20/2018

2018 Audi A5 Prestige quattro 2dr Convertible AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

We were replacing my wife's 2010 Lexus IS250 C. A hardtop convertible which still was plenty plush, had about 90,000 miles on it and was kept in pristine condition. She didn't want to let it go because everything she test drove was not as plush. We test drove a Porche Boxter, BMW 430i and 440i, and Mercedes C 300 Cabriolet. We almost purchased the BMW 440i Hardtop, because the 430i … with its 4 cylinder had turbo lag. The 440i had plenty of power, but the interior was a bit cheap for the amount of money they wanted for the car. Finally, I convinced my wife to take a test drive in the Audi A5 cabriolet. All I can say is after the first test drive, she didn't say much to me for about 24 hours. The next day, she told me that the car was the best thing she had ever driven but didn't want to get to excited about it. Sure it was way way more plush and had more power than the 6 Cylinder that was in the Lexus, but she had some reservations about the color combinations offered by Audi. The combinations between exterior and interior are limited. BMW actually has more choices and the fabric in the 4 series is heat sensitive. Meaning the BMW seat material will not heat up to more than 80 degrees with the top down (it is the only series which has this feature). So you can have black seats and not burn your legs if you are wearing shorts. But the allure of the Audi interior and the way the car drove was what ultimately sealed the deal. The Audi interior is plush, plusher than the Mercedes and way way more quiet. The 4 cylinder turbo has 252 horses which explode, as the car just eats up bumps in the road and feels like it glides over them. The car exudes fun and has a plush ride. Car and driver as one, what a concept. The car we purchased has the 19" summer wheels with sport suspension and taking a curve with them is sheer joy. The car feels like it will not come off the pavement. It is as if it is part of the road. The Prestige model is the only trim level which allows for the latest self driving safety options/features to be installed as additional accessories. The Driver Assist Package compliments the other safety systems which come standard in the car. The Driver Assist Package also allows for the car to basically drive by itself so long as their are lines painted on the road or Hi-way. I suggest taking the A5 out on the highway so you can see for yourself how the car stays within the lines and also accelerates around corners. I can say, the driving assist features work really well. On the way home from the dealership a vehicle cut us off (we were traveling 55 MPH). Before my wife could put on the brakes, the car actually braked by itself, allowing us to easily avoid what could have been a very bad accident. The car is also loaded with other safety features which when engaged actually make the driving experience that much better. My wife commented on how the acceleration in the car was amazing. No hesitation, but the car jumps forward smoothly. The lines are fantastic and the seats are comfortable. The car also is the poster child for Technology. There is so much stuff packed into it I cannot fuuly describe it here, but I suggest again, looking on line about all the features and options, then go take one for a test drive. The technology in the Audi A5 is highly intuitive, when you first get it, you can train it to listen for your voice. Once trained (takes less than 5 minutes) you are going to have the most fun you have had in a long long time. A Just remember warning, if you to depress the gas petal, your head will snap back.

Love this car

Tireguy, 12/14/2017

2018 Audi A5 Prestige quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

So I'm pretty frugal. And when my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8 T finally died 17 years after I bought it brand new, I figured it was time for an upgrade. I skipped VW and went straight to the Audi dealership. The S8 was lovely, but a bit out of my price range. The A3, with that high roof, looked too much like my old Jetta. It would make a nice Pope-mobile. And then there sat the A5. The … four door is nice but I wasn't going to be hauling my family around in this car. We have a Yukon XL for that. This one is just to move my butt up and down the George Washington Parkway, alone, in comfort--it had to be a Coupe. If you compare the coupe to the sportback, well there is no contest from a styling perspective. I guess if you have three kids, you may be compelled to buy the sportback, which gives you an extra seat in the middle. I have more than three kids, so I might as well have been buying a Ducati. I was a little apprehensive about the 2.0T, which powers quite a few smaller VWs in lesser forms, but this car flies: 0-60 in 5 sec. Good enough for me, who has no plans to take it to the drag strip. It's a great car. **Update after one year** I’ve had my A5 coupe for 14 months now and have had no issues. As I said above, the Audi replaced my 2000 Jetta 1.8T 5-speed manual, which I purchased new and basically traded for the scrap metal value, lol. I have driven manuals since age 16, and still prefer rowing through the gears. Living in northern VA, and working inside the beltway, however, constantly pumping a clutch in traffic is not practical. The DSG transmission offers a good compromise, but certainly takes some getting used to. In manual mode, it shifts faster than humanly possible due to one of two concentric clutches being engaged at all times. In normal mode, the automatic shifting is a little spongy, and in sport mide it tends to be a little jerky when you let off the accelerator. I typically get off the line in sport mode, then toggle to normal mode once underway (with a 1/2” flick of the shifter). I only typically use the manual mode when doing a hole-shot on I-95. Just flick the left paddle twice, and hold onto your hat (or sunglasses which often fly from the center console into the back seat). I really enjoy driving this car. It’s a little tight, but I don’t know why people are complaining about storage in a coupe. This would not suit most people as a sole vehicle. You won’t be taking trips to Home Depot or going on vacation in the A5 unless you get a roof rack and a huge cargo box (which is a possibility). I should note that you CAN fit a mountainbike in the trunk with the seats flipped down (front wheel removed, obviously). This isn’t the family truckster; it’s the car that gets daddy to and from work, takes mommy out on dates, or runs 1-3 of the kids to baseball practice. With a family of six, a minivan or SUV is a necessity. This is the other car. I’m glad I went with the coupe (sacrificing the rear center seat), which is sexy as hell. I only have two complaints: 1) The nav system is not as user-friendly as Google maps, and not as interactive as WAZE (I need to know where 5-0 is the way I drive this car). So despite that glorious nav display which allows for the ideal setup of a zoomed-in 3d map in the cluster and a zoomed-out overview in the center, I usually navigate by the iPhone in my cupholder; 2) The trunk lid, when covered with water will pop vertical upon opening and dump about 8 oz of water onto the glass, then right into the trunk, due to the insufficient channel around the opening. I can live with that.

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2018 A5 Highlights

Type:

Coupe

Trim:

Premium quattro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$42,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$198/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 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.
Audi Pre Sense Basic: If an impending collision is detected, the seat belts will tighten, brakes are primed and windows/sunroof are closed.

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2018 Audi A5 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A5 Premium quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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.}

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Driving

Comfort

Interior

Utility

Technology

2018 Audi A5 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Audi A5.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Worthwhile Upgrade From 2014 Audi A5 Cabriolet

2nd Time A5 Owner, 5 Times Audi Owner

Best car I have ever driven in my life

Love this car

2018 A5 Highlights

Safety

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2018 Audi A5 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A5 Premium quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Driving

Comfort

Interior

Utility

Technology

Which A5 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Audi A5 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Worthwhile Upgrade From 2014 Audi A5 Cabriolet

2nd Time A5 Owner, 5 Times Audi Owner

Best car I have ever driven in my life

Love this car

2018 A5 Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2018 Audi A5 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Audi

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi A5 Premium quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 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.}