Let's get to the point: imagine that you are driving on the highway and a little further on you see a very steep slope. The Audi Sportback A5 It takes you to 120 km/h with the tachometer needle stuck at 1.500 rpm. What do you think happens when you start to ascend?
The answer to this question is surprising: nothing! The more modest diesel engine of the A5 climbs half a kilometer of hill without needing to engage a lower gear. And that with three occupants and their luggage for a whole week.
With the images that we put in this article and this anecdote, you can already get an idea of what kind of vehicle is it. This is the car that someone who wants it all would buy: a sporty design, but with space; an engine capable of giving joy, but that consumes little, and a diesel mechanic, but with eco label.
A five-door coupe
Let's start with the design, which is one of the aspects that has always given more to talk about in the A5 of Audi. The Sportback version that we have tested is 4,75 meters long, 1,84 meters wide and only 1,40 meters high. Nail dimensions which, together with its coupรฉ-like appearance, give it very attractive proportions, despite its 5 doors.
This is also helped by the angular details of the bodywork at the front and sides. For its part, the grill It has a shiny black honeycomb pattern on the S Line finish that we have tried. At their sides you can see some LED type headlights, which are standard for the entire range. Matrix LED headlights and LED taillights are an extra that costs 1.490 euros. down there is a spoiler typical of this sports finish, like the side air intakes that house the fog lights.
Already on the side, we can see how the doors are traversed by a nerve running from the bonnet edge line, running through both doors and all the way to the rear, to fit in with part of the interior design for the brake lights.
An attractive and intelligent design
In the lower part of the doors you can see a notable indentation and a skirt with another nerve which rises in the middle part of the car, to enhance your muscular appearance. In the upper part stands out the roof drop, who extends until almost reaching the end of the gate. One of the tricks used by Audi designers so that the space for the occupants is not bad despite the coupรฉ appearance. Later we will tell you another ace that they pull out of the sleeve to achieve it, but that has to do with the interior. Be careful, not everyone has to like it.
Lastly, the rear of the car has a somewhat more discreet appearance than everything mentioned so far. In it, the most rounded edges predominate, except for the spoiler and the trapezoidal exhaust outlets typical of this finish. In the RS5 are the characteristic oval tailpipes.
Inside the Audi A5 Sportback
So far the outside. Yes we got into the Audi A5 Sportback, sportsmanship is still obvious. Mainly because of the S Line finish of this unit. The first thing that stands out is the perforated leather steering wheel, with the lower part flattened (150 euros). Then a few aluminum trims with a brushed texture that reflects the light in a very elegant way, but that does not bother at any time.
La instrumentation is digital (Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus), with various information display modes, which works smoothly and provides data clearly. The central touch screen is 10,1 inches, standard in all finishes, and has the MMI Navigation plus infotainment system. Also standard are the USB-A charging port for the rear seats and the sound system with 8 speakers. In other words, a very extensive technological endowment for all A5 Sportbacks.
The perfection of touch technology
Just below the touch screen we find an air conditioner. Anyone who has read or seen on youtube You'll know how little we like touch controls. However, what we find in this car is on another level. use this technology so fashionable, not to save, but to add an extra detail to conventional push buttons. Just by putting your finger on one of them, it displays the menu of each button. Then, you have to raise or lower the conventional button to move around it.
El touch of all controls and buttons is outstanding. Few cars are as well finished and assembled as what Audi offers in this car. This applies to all buttons in the car, such as those on the doors, center console, steering wheel and gear lever.
The bucket seats that you see in the images are an extra. They offer very good lateral grip and are adaptable in many ways, including the width left by the side lugs. However, they are not the best option if you are going to make long trips with this car because, although they are of excellent quality, they have a hard fluffy and they can become uncomfortable after an hour or two of driving.
In those cases, it is better to leave the normal seats, which also match much more with the type of engine that we tested, the 35 TDI with 163 CV. In any case, since this depends more on the tastes and driving style of each one, you can also opt for sports seats (not buckets) that offer more lateral grip, without sacrificing comfort on long trips.
In the second row of seats
We have now reached the rear seats, where we find the ace up our sleeve that we mentioned before. To avoid the lack of headroom, typical of a coupe-style car, the rear bench seat is very low on the side seats. Notice how close those squares are in the image below. A person of 1,86 meters fits without problems in them.
As for the the central rear seat does not offer this advantage because it is higher and the roof has a bulge on top. So it can only be used by people up to 1,67 meters tall. Legroom will not be a problem for people less than 1,90 meters tall.
Already in the trunk we find a not inconsiderable cargo space of 465 liters, (15 more than the coupรฉ version of the A5). Its shapes are very regular and, above all, it has a huge loading mouth thanks to the fact that the gate is hinged on the rear window.
We have filled this trunk completely with three airplane cabin suitcases, a small baby stroller, a portable crib and a couple of extra bags similar in size to suitcases. That is, it can easily accommodate the luggage of four people.
Behind the wheel of the Audi A5 Sportback
The first test we have done with the Audi A5 Sportback has been precisely on a long highway trip. It has become clear to us that it is a comfortable car, well soundproofed and pleasant to drive. The only exception to comfort has been the extra bucket seats that we mentioned earlier.
La suspension of our unit is firm but not at all dry. Which is surprising considering that he wears the S Line sports suspension ass and optional 20-inch wheels (3.035 euros). Something that greatly limits the tire's ability to help the suspension filter out potholes. This finish comes standard with 18-inch five-spoke wheels.
When going out to two-way roads we have been able to verify that the dynamic behavior of the A5 Sportback It is within the expected of a car of these characteristics. Namely, very good thanks to the fineness of the Audi chassis, the suspension and a low body (4 cm shorter than a Audi A4). In no case have we approached the limits of the car, still looking for them within reason for public roads. So much so, that it would be necessary to take it to a circuit to be able to check them without ending up having a criminal record.
The direction is direct and transmits some information of what happens in the front wheels. Although it is clear that the objective of this car is not to transmit sensations at the wheel, but rather that of going on a flying carpet that obeys everything we ask of it (as long as we are not reckless).
The 35 TDI S-tronic engine
The first paragraphs of this post have already anticipated what is under the hood of our A5. It is the least powerful diesel engine in the range, but it has a series qualities that make him a beast in some circumstances. Its 163 hp allow it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,3 seconds. It's not bad, but it's your torque figure of 370 Nm between 1.500 and 3.000 rpm, which allows you to do things unthinkable in other types of engines.
Driving at 120 km/h with the engine turning at only 1.500 rpm It is something that cannot be asked of any engine. But climbing a mountain at that speed without breaking a sweat is something beyond the reach of most. We can't imagine how it has to be dual mass flywheel to absorb the vibrations of such torque at so few laps, because inside the car they are not noticeable in the slightest.
It is not uncommon to see how the S tronic change puts the engine to rotate at 1.100 or 1.200 rpm in many circumstances in which other cars would drown. If at that moment you need a strong acceleration, its double clutch works fast and smoothly to engage a low gear and to shoot out of any circumstance.
This programming of the change at such low revolutions gets along well with this engine. especially thanks to the great elasticity it has despite being a diesel. If you want to know what happens with a little elastic engine with a change of these characteristics, take a look at the video of the Volkswagen Taigo 1.0 TSI DSG 110 CV test:
The ability to move at such low speeds and other qualities of the TDI engine have allowed us to register very low real consumption. In freeway we have achieved an expense of 5.1 litres/100 km with three occupants and a full trunk. In roads from 90 km/h consumption has dropped to 4.1 litres/100 km and in city settles for 6,5 litres/100 km.
La eco label of the A5 Sportback 35 TDI S tronic is due to a 12V microhybrid system. That is, the same voltage received by the radio or the starter. We are not going to dedicate more lines to this system of only 2 CV, with which it obtains the same sticker as a Toyota Priusโฆ (place your angry or laughing emoticon here as appropriate).
Conclusions
We repeat: the A5 Sportback is a car for the driver who wants it all: a lot of equipment, quality, design, a certain sportiness, space, a capable engine that consumes little and the coveted ECO label. Only SUV-like accessibility and an affordable price are left off the wish list, but that would be science fiction.
El Audi A5 Sportback S Line 35 TDI S tronic what we have tried part of the 54.670 euros. the price of more basic, with a 150 hp gasoline engine, the same gearbox and Advance finish, down to the 48.040 Euros. Some very high bills although, after trying it, we can only say that it is a car that is worth what it costs. Something that not all premium brands can say without crossing their fingers behind their backs.
Audi A5 Sportback prices
Below you have all the official prices of Audi No campaigns or discounts.
Finished | Motor | Change | Traction | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Finished | Motor | Change | Traction | Price |
Advanced | 35 TFSI 150 HP | S tronic | Front | 48.040 โฌ |
Advanced | 35 TDI 163 HP | S tronic | Front | 52.270 โฌ |
Advanced | 40 TFSI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 52.280 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 35 TFSI 150 HP | S tronic | Front | 52.720 โฌ |
Advanced | 40 TDI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 53.700 โฌ |
S Line | 35 TDI 163 HP | S tronic | Front | 54.670 โฌ |
S Line | 40 TFSI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 54.680 โฌ |
S Line | 40 TDI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 56.100 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 35 TDI 163 HP | S tronic | Front | 56.950 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 40 TFSI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 56.960 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 40 TDI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 58.380 โฌ |
Advanced | 45 TFSI 265 HP | S tronic | four | 59.400 โฌ |
black limited | 35 TDI 163 HP | S tronic | Front | 60.750 โฌ |
black limited | 40 TFSI 204 HP | S tronic | Front | 60.760 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 40 TDI 204 HP | S tronic | four | 60.910 โฌ |
S-line | 45 TFSI 265 HP | S tronic | four | 61.800 โฌ |
Black Line Edition | 45 TFSI 265 HP | S tronic | four | 64.170 โฌ |
black limited | 40 TDI 204 HP | S tronic | four | 64.710 โฌ |
Equipment of the Audi A5 Sportback
Advanced
- Audi Parking System plus
- reversing camera
- Audi hold assist
- Cruise control (Tempo)
- Audi for sense city
- Matt black radiator grille
- Singleframe grille frame in chrome
- Matt titanium black diffuser with matt silver aluminum horizontal insert
- Trapezoidal tailpipes in matt aluminum
- 18-inch light-alloy wheels
- 245/40R18 tires
- Standard suspension
- tire pressure gauge
- Puncture kit
- on-board tools
- Audi Drive Select
- Electromechanical parking brake
- Headlights with LED technology with daytime running lights and halogen indicators
- LED taillights
- Exterior mirrors, heated, electrically folding and with anti-dazzle function
- Mirror caps in body color
- Window frame in anodized aluminum
- Decorative insert in silver gray
- Interior roof lining in gray
- Interior lighting
- 3-spoke multifunction plus steering wheel
- Interior mirror with anti-dazzle function, without frame
- 3-zone climate control
- Trunk lid with electric opening and closing
- Anti-theft wheel bolts
- Emergency call and service Audi Connect Safety & Service
- Ad-blue deposit of increased size (Only for TDI engines)
- Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus
- MMI Navigation plus with preparation for Holoride With 10,1โณ MMI Touch display
- Audi smartphone interface
- USB-A charging port for the rear seats
- 8 speaker system
- Upholstery in Index Fabric
- 4-position lumbar support for the front seats
- Fore/aft head restraints for front seats
- ISOFIX child seat attachment and Top Tether for the rear seats
Black Line Edition
- 19-inch Audi Sport light-alloy wheels
- 255/35R19 tires
- darkened glasses
- Mirror caps in black
- Audi logos and lettering in glossy black
Black Limited (Add to Advanced)
- 20-inch Audi Sport light-alloy wheels
- 255/35R20 tires
- Comfort access
- ambient lighting package
- flattened steering wheel
- Audi SoundSystem
- Lumbar support with massage
- S sport seats
- Dynamic microfiber / leather upholstery
- Electric seat adjustment
- Panoramic ceiling
S Line (Add to Advanced)
- Radiator grille in matt black in honeycomb design
- Singleframe grille frame in chrome
- S line diffuser in silver aluminum finish
- Trapezoidal tailpipes in matt aluminum
- Audi Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators
- 18-inch five-spoke light-alloy wheels
- 245/40R18 tires
- sports running gear
- Sports front seats
- Sports front seats
- Upholstery in Sequenz fabric / Leather with S relief on the backrests
- S line logo embossed on the front of the backrest of the front seats
- Multifunction steering wheel with S line logo partially in perforated leather
- Black perforated leather gear knob
- Interior roof lining in black fabric
- Interior inserts in brushed matt aluminum
- "S" logo on the front door sill trim, illuminated
- Pedals and footrest with metallic trim
Editor's opinion
- Editor's rating
- 4.5 star rating
- Exceptional
- Audi Sportback A5
- Review of: Diego Lopez Donaire
- Posted on:
- Last modification:
- Exterior design
- interior design
- front seats
- rear seats
- Trunk
- Spring Suspension
- Consumption
- Comfort
- Price
Pros
- Interior quality and technology
- engine performance
- Five-door coupe design
Cons
- Optional Bucket Seat Hardness
- No more affordable access version
- 12V microhybrid system