Audi A5

The Audi A5 lineup offers three body styles to choose from: a sleek coupe, a versatile four-door hatchback (called Sportback), and a convertible with a power-folding soft top (Cabriolet). The lineup shares many of the same features with the A4 sedan it's based on. Very few automakers offer three body styles from a single model because coupes and convertibles aren't as popular as they once were.

Depending on the body style, A5 buyers get a choice of one of two turbocharged four-cylinder engines (we review the higher-performance S5 and RS 5 models separately). Updates to optional packages and features are the only changes for the 2022 model year.

The 2022 Audi A5 lineup is great for those who want a sophisticated and sporty look without the flashiness seen in other premium brands. Owners will appreciate the interior's superb fit and finish, high-quality materials and the 10.1-inch touchscreen. Tech and advanced driver aids are plentiful and work well. The 45 TFSI engine provides strong power, and the A5 rides and handles well.

There are a couple of rivals worth checking out. The BMW 4 Series also offers three body styles and was just completely redesigned for the 2021 model year. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets a full redesign for 2022 as well, though Mercedes hadn't indicated at the time of our review whether that redesign will include new coupe and convertible versions as well. But even compared to the fresher competition, we think the A5 is a worthy pick.

Which A5 does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Audi A5 comes in three body styles: coupe, convertible (called Cabriolet), and a four-door hatchback (called Sportback). Three trim levels are offered for each body style: the base Premium trim, the midlevel Premium Plus trim and the range-topping Prestige.

The coupe and convertible come with one engine choice: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (called 45 TFSI). The four-door hatchback can be equipped with the above engine or the base 40 TFSI engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 201 hp and 236 lb-ft. A seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to an all-wheel-drive system regardless of engine or trim level.

Premium The A5 Premium base trim comes with a generous amount of standard features. Highlights include:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Heated side mirrors
• Panoramic sunroof (coupe and Sportback)
• Power liftgate (Sportback)
• Sport suspension (45 TFSI engine)
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable and heated front sport seats
• Ambient cabin lighting

Technology and safety features include:

• 10.1-inch central touchscreen
• 7.0-inch digital instrument panel display
• Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

The optional Convenience package adds:

• Auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors
• Heated steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Satellite radio
• Front and rear parking sensors

Premium Plus Moving up to the Premium Plus trim adds the features of the above Convenience package plus:

• Upgraded LED headlights
• 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
• Driver's seat memory functions
• Faux leather-wrapped center console and armrests
• Wireless charging pad with a signal booster
• Satellite radio
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the A5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the A5 and the car in front)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the A5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Prestige The Prestige trim maxes out the tech and comfort features, including:

• 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
• Navigation system
• Heated rear seats (Sportback)
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

Additional packages and single feature options include:

• Black Optic package (19-inch wheels, aluminum and black accents, red brake calipers)
• Ventilated front seats (standard on the Cabriolet Prestige trim) 
• 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
• Rear side airbags (Sportback)