Insurance Group: 29
MPG: 45.6
CO2: 143
0-62 Mph: 8.7 secs
BHP: 168 BHP
Range: 632 miles
The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version and the SE trim is a much better value for money option than the basic trim.
PROS: A good-looking open top car with an efficient engine.
CONS: The cabriolet does not drive half as well as it looks and the diesel engine is much more efficient.
The A5 is a powerful cabriolet even with the smaller engines in the range, but the car handles really badly and the drive is very shaky. The car has good grip, especially with the four-wheel-drive option, but the suspension can mean it is not as controlled on bumpy roads. Although the option of S line suspension is firmer and handles such road with more stability, it also makes the ride quite uncomfortable.
The engine is 1798cc and uses unleaded petrol with a fuel tank capacity of 63 litres. There is a six-speed manual gearbox, which provides smooth acceleration.
The engines (both diesel and petrol) are quiet and refined, but there is quite a lot of wind noise even with the roof down.
The 1.8 TFSI has a 168bhp engine delivering 236lb-ft of torque at 1400-3700rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 138mph.
The interior of the A5 is well-designed and high-quality, but some slightly cheap looking features on the dashboard are a bit of a disappointment. Otherwise, the car looks as an open top Audi should – stylish and sporty.
The roof is cloth as opposed to the currently popular metal roof. The acoustic version comes with the S line and S5 models and is optional on SE trims, but there is still a lot of wind noise.
The seat and steering wheel adjust comfortably, although the pedals are set off to the right, which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances and the clutch is in a recess in the floor which makes for awkward control. Rear view visibility is fine even with the roof up.
The 1.8 TFSI comes with power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity and stereo as standard, with optional extras including leather seats for £1315, Bluetooth for £260, cruise control for £225, rear parking sensors for £335 and metallic paint for £615, but no option for satellite navigation.
For fuel economy, the A5 has a start/stop system and electromechanical power steering as standard, which allows for great efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
The A5 comes with all the safety equipment you would expect in a high-quality cabriolet including driver, passenger and front side airbags, alarm and immobiliser as standard, but the cloth roof is not as secure as a metal one would be. It also has stability control to prevent accidents and anti-lock brakes. There are front and back ISOFIX child seat mounting points and options to fit adaptive xenon headlights, lane-departure, a rear-view camera and blind-sport warning systems.
In the past few years, Audi’s reliability rating has suffered, but the A5’s mechanical reliability received an average rating in the 2011 JD Power survey.
The boot is sizeable offering 380 litres with the roof down and 750 litres with the roof up. The A5 cabriolet has got enough room in the front and back for passengers, but the rear seats are a little cramped for long journeys.
The running costs are good with the A5 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 1.8 TFSI model costs £39,450 and has a combined economy of 45.6mpg and CO2 emission rate of 143g/km.
The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version, but is worth the extra cost only if you make up enough miles to justify the price and the rising diesel prices. It will also save for company car drivers on tax due to the low CO2 emissions. The 2.0 litre engine is one of the best diesel options for value for money and the level of performance combined with low running costs. The 1.8 engine might feel a bit weak and the efficiency is improved with the larger diesel engine.
The SE trim is much better value for money than the basic version, as it comes with all the same equipment as the pricier S line trim (which only adds the firmer sport suspension and a few style changes) and the basic trim really does not offer a great deal as standard.
The resale value on the A5 cabriolet is great so it is a worthwhile investment. Audi promise good service and reliability as well.
The 1.8 TFSI SE is a great car with a combination of good, strong performance and low running costs. The engine is not as efficient as the diesel version, but is perfect for those who don’t do much...
The S line trim makes this 1.8 TFSI coupe much pricier than the SE version and does not offer much extra for it, except sport suspension (which is quite uncomfortable) and style differences. Th...
The 2.0 TFSI S line is a very efficient car with loads of power and good handling. However, if you clock up a lot of miles, the diesel engine is a much more economical buy. The S line trim is n...
This four-wheel-drive coupe is a great option for combined performance and low running costs. The diesel engine is more expensive, but is much more efficient so if you drive enough miles it will pa...
This car is definitely durable and mechanically reliable. The inclusive safety kit leaves nothing to gripe about. The car is not exactly cheap and fuel economy could be better. However, the A5 cou...
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