The Audi A5 debuted for the 2008 model year as a premium two-door coupe based on the bones of the popular A4 sedan, but with sleeker styling and slightly sharper dynamics. With its stout V6 engine and quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system programmed to deliver a slight rear bias, the A5 coupe was well equipped to compete with rivals such as the BMW 3 Series Coupe, the Infiniti G37, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK.
Over time, the A5 range expanded to include four-cylinder models, a soft-top convertible and, eventually, front-wheel-drive (FWD) models that mostly lacked any sporty pretense. Those buyers looking for powerful performance along with their stylish good looks were directed to the sportier S5 model that had a lot more power under the hood. The first-generation A5 received a facelift for the 2013 model year, but bigger things came for 2018 as Audi released the second-generation A5 in coupe, convertible, and five-door Sportback forms.
The third-generation A5 arrived in 2025, marking a shift in strategy as it was reborn as a five-door hatchback that replaced the A4 sedan. Throughout its production run from 2008 through today, the Audi A5 has been a stylish luxury machine with sporty looks and a premium feel.
Audi A5 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Audi A5 years are the best?
First-generation Audi A5 models powered by the 3.2-liter V6 engine have proved more reliable than those powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Second-generation A5s from 2019 through 2024 have also been generally reliable. J.D. Power rates reliability of the second-generation A5 as average, but the latest third-generation A5 models (2025 to present) are too new to have received any reliability scores.
Which Audi A5 years are the worst?
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2011 model year has more problems than any other, and that coincides with the year Audi dropped the V6 engine in favor of the four-cylinder unit. Owners of first-generation 2011–2017 A5 models with four-cylinder engines have complained of excessive oil consumption, which can be very expensive to address. First-year teething problems aren’t uncommon with the second-generation models, with the 2018 model year A5 having more issues than subsequent years.
Is a used Audi A5 a good deal?
First-generation Audi A5 models with V6 engines (which means 2008–2010) could be an attractive proposition for shoppers looking for a stylish European car for less than $10,000. Those buyers should ensure there’s room in their budget for maintenance and repair costs, which will be higher for an Audi than for an American or a Japanese car. While the second-generation A5 doesn’t stand out as a particularly good deal on the used car market, a well-cared-for example should provide its owner with a premium driving experience. High initial depreciation makes the third-generation a good deal for those with a bigger budget.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multiple body styles
- Stylish design
- Premium interior
Cons:
- Pedestrian performance
- Cramped back seat in coupe models
- Outdated technology in older models
Audi A5 Generations
Audi A5 Third Generation (2025–Present)
The third and current generation of the Audi A5 debuted for the 2025 model year, though it was sold alongside the previous second-generation A5 Sportback for the first half of the year. With coupe sales dwindling in the face of continued pressure from crossover SUVs and more practical sedans, Audi did not renew the coupe or convertible body styles for its third generation. Instead, the new A5 was produced solely in Audi’s Sportback five-door hatchback style, though the Sportback term has, somewhat confusingly, been left off the third-gen model.
With more room, Audi’s latest technology, and a new version of its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with meaningful boosts in horsepower and torque, the latest A5 easily stands out as the one with the widest appeal of any generation. And that makes sense, because Audi now expects the A5 to fill the role of the discontinued A4 sedan.
There's more room inside the redesigned A5 than inside the second-generation version thanks to an increase in size. The wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer and the exterior is 2.7 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider, and 2 inches taller than the old A5 Sportback. The hatchback tailgate gives easy access to 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space (or up to 36.6 with the rear seat folded down), which compares well with the BMW 3 Series, the Cadillac CT4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the only available engine in the latest Audi A5. It's aided by a 48-volt hybrid system and generates 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque—increases of 67 hp and 59 lb-ft over the outgoing model’s base engine. Power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The third-generation Audi A5 has a stiffer chassis than the version it replaced, and, combined with similarly stiffened suspension components, the changes result in excellent handling. A traditional steel suspension setup is standard, and only the high-performance S5 variant gets adaptive dampers.
Inside, the third-generation A5 features loads of fancy technology, with Audi’s so-called Digital Stage dominating the dashboard with a standard 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit and a 14.5-inch MMI central touchscreen display. An additional 10.9-inch MMI display for the front passenger extends the digital screens all the way across the dashboard. A head-up display that projects useful information directly onto the windshield is also available. A feature called the Audi Assistant is an “AI-powered adaptive voice control that understands natural language,” which allows the driver to perform tasks such as altering the climate control or using the navigation system.
Audi offers the 2026 A5 in three trim levels, starting with the Premium model that, at the time of writing, started at $51,495 (including destination). Standard features include LED headlights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. A solid suite of safety equipment is also standard, including forward-collision warning with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.
For $53,995, the A5 Premium Plus adds fancier headlights and taillights, a variable light control glass roof, a dashcam, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound. Highway Driving Assist, which is a semi-autonomous function that requires the driver’s attention and hands on the wheel, and a semi-automated parking feature also come with the Premium Plus model.
At the top of the range is the A5 Prestige that carries an MSRP of $57,995. Audi’s excellent Matrix Design headlamps, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, headrest-mounted speakers, a 3D overhead camera view, and the extra 10.9-inch passenger screen make the Prestige feel like a fully loaded luxury sedan.
The 2026 Audi A5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)—the highest possible ranking. It earned top marks from the IIHS in both its crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation tests.
Used prices for the earliest third-generation models show that depreciation hits hard, with CarGurus pricing data showing low-mileage examples from about $38,000, representing a saving of about $13,000 on the current new price.
Audi A5 Second Generation (2018–2024)
Audi completely redesigned the A5 for the 2018 model year, and in addition to the coupe and convertible (or Cabriolet in Audi-speak) variants of the first generation, a new five-door hatchback arrived that Audi called the A5 Sportback. Like the larger A7 that preceded it, the A5 Sportback looked sleek and stylish, and its sloping roofline opened up to reveal a generous cargo area. Naturally, the coupe (with its 12-cubic-foot trunk) wasn’t as practical as the Sportback, and the convertible lost around three cubic feet of trunk space due to its folding soft top.
All 2018 Audi A5 models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sent power to all four wheels via Audi’s rear-biased quattro AWD system. The A5 Coupe was the only version offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Buyers looking for more power could opt for the Audi S5 and its 354-hp turbocharged V6 engine.
Inside, all 2018 A5 variants featured steering-wheel paddle shifters, three-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and wood trim. A 7-inch infotainment display came standard in Premium and Premium Plus A5 models, while an 8.3-inch unit was optional in the Premium Plus and standard in the top-rung A5 Prestige. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard in the second-gen A5.
The 2018 Audi A5 received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-out-of-five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For 2019, the manual transmission, which had previously been offered solely in the coupe body style, was dropped altogether. An exterior styling refresh debuted for 2020, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen replaced the older infotainment system that same year.
Audi reworked the A5’s turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant for the 2021 model year, adding a mild hybrid system that boosted horsepower by 13 hp to bring the total to 261 hp. That engine now wore a 45 designation, and a new base 40 powerplant was introduced with a middling 201 hp. A Black Optic package for the less powerful A5 40 model appeared for the 2022 model year, replacing the exterior brightwork with blacked-out trim.
New 18-inch alloy wheels and Matrix LED headlamps marked the changes for 2023. The 2024 model year brought extra standard driver assistance tech, such as adaptive cruise control and a lane-assist function.
Prices for second-generation Audi A5s average around $20,000–$25,000 for cars built in 2018 to 2020, according to CarGurus’ pricing data, but quickly balloon to more than $30,000 for 2022 models. Such averages aren’t far from those of the BMW 3 Series sedan and 4 Series coupe, which has long served as the benchmark for this class of cars.
Audi A5 First Generation (2008–2017)
The 2008 Audi A5 was launched as a coupe based on the popular A4 sedan. Primary competitors included the BMW 3 Series Coupe (later named 4 Series in coupe form) and the Mercedes-Benz CLK. The A5’s handsome looks were backed up with real performance, courtesy of Audi’s 265-hp 3.2-liter V6 engine and quattro AWD that sent more torque to the rear wheels than the front. Both manual and automatic transmissions were offered.
With a wheelbase that was slightly longer than the A4 sedan’s, the first-generation Audi A5 provided decent room inside for four occupants, while a 16.1-cubic-foot trunk was generous for a coupe.
When the A5 launched in 2008, it came in one trim level. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, power front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Larger 19-inch wheels were optional, as were keyless ignition, navigation, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. An S-Line Package gave the A5 a sportier exterior and added aluminum accents to the interior. An Audi Drive Select package was optional for the 2009 model year that added adjustable suspension and steering, and adaptive cruise control showed up on the options list.
A new A5 Cabriolet gave buyers a soft-top A5 variant in 2010. That same year, a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder base engine delivered 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and while the V6 remained available, it was offered solely with an automatic transmission. A year later, the V6 was off the menu entirely, leaving the four-cylinder as the only engine offered in the A5. For 2011, the coupe featured a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The 2011 A5 Cabriolet got a continuously variable transmission and FWD as standard, but AWD was an option.
The 2013 Audi A5 received a refresh that brought new exterior styling and Audi Connect Wi-Fi connectivity. For 2014, the four-cylinder engine was bumped to 220 hp, and in 2015, the A5 Cabriolet’s CVT and FWD layout were abandoned, meaning all 2015 A5 models featured quattro AWD. The S-Line package became standard in 2016 and the convertible could be ordered with a striking red soft top. Nine years into its run, production of the first-generation Audi A5 ended for the 2017 model year.
According to CarGurus pricing data, it's possible to pick up the earliest A5 models for $6,000 or so, but those that have covered less than 100,000 miles start at about $7,500. The newest, high-end first-generation models top out at about $22,000.
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