Used 2020 Audi A5

Unlike the A4 sedan, the 2020 Audi A5 and S5 offer a wide range of models under one badge. Although based on the A4 platform, the A5 is much more flexible, comprising a sleek coupe, an open-air Cabriolet and a 5-door coupe known as the Sportback.

When it comes to the 2-door models, the A5’s rear seat is little more than an afterthought, as is the case with the BMW 4 Series, Lexus RC and Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe. Trunk space isn’t all that much better although it is superior to rivals from Lexus, Jaguar and Infiniti. For those who need room for family or friends but still want something that sits low and looks sinister, the A5/S5 Sportback is the perfect solution.

Standard quattro all-wheel drive greatly enhances traction on both wet and dry pavement, and while you won’t find a hybrid or plug-in version, the A5’s 2.0-liter turbo returns fuel-economy estimates most will find quite acceptable.

The 2020 Audi A5 and Audi S5 are more than just beautiful designs. They hold a special skill set combining advanced luxury features, a team of powerful engines and standard quattro all-wheel drive that helps them ride and drive like no other cars in this class. With a zero-to-60-mph run taking just 5.6 seconds, the A5 coupe’s 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder is more than capable, but for those seeking even more punch, the S5’s 349-horsepower V6 knocks that time down to a scant 4.4 seconds (Sportback and Cabriolet add a few tenths of a second to the coupe’s time).

Audi’s adjustable drive-mode system allows the driver to vary the degree of urgency in the steering and throttle response, and includes an Auto mode that lets the car’s computer brain make all the hard decisions. With the turbo-4, we did experience a moment of turbo lag after hitting the accelerator hard, but it’s not annoyingly late and the A5 quickly gets itself up to speed.

The A5’s 7-speed dual-clutch automatic is one of the best in the business, smooth, fast and responsive. Sadly, a manual-transmission option is not offered.

For 2020, the entire A5/S5 lineup gets an interior makeover, the highlight of which is a huge 10.1-inch touch screen sitting atop the center dash. Part of Audi’s new MIB 3 infotainment system, the screen serves as the focal point for navigation, audio and in-vehicle data. The old MMI rotary controller is gone, leaving only touch-screen inputs or voice commands to accomplish tasks.

On the coupes only, a new S line interior package adds a flat-bottom steering wheel, leather and Alcantara seats and brushed-aluminum inlays. The rest of the A5’s interior continues to impress with its elegant design, high-quality materials and minimal clutter.

The seats are supportive, with multiple adjustments to help find the perfect driving position. Rear-seat room is in short supply in the coupe and convertible, but the Sportback offers as much room as in the A4 sedan and with more cargo space, 21 cubic feet with the seats up and 35 cubic feet when folded.

Even with its newly revised body panels and bold new front end, the 2020 Audi A5 still displays a more conservative image than the dramatically styled exteriors of rivals like the Lexus RC, Infiniti Q60 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Unlike a BMW 4 Series (but like the Mercedes C-Class convertible), the A5 convertible has a fabric roof instead of a folding hardtop.

The A5 Sportback is essentially a smaller version of the captivating A7, blending a 4-door-coupe silhouette with an upward-rising power liftgate that hides a good-sized rear cargo bay. LED headlights are now standard, with more advanced lighting offered on the Premium Plus and Prestige models.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
If you like high-tech toys, you’re going to love the A5’s available Virtual Cockpit. Using a 12.3-inch TFT (thin-film transistor) screen, Audi replaces the traditional analog gauge cluster with a virtual one allowing for various configurations including a 3D navigation display powered by Google Earth graphics.

A5 SPORTBACK
The A5 Sportback offers all the style and performance of the A5 coupe, but with SUV-like cargo room thanks to the massive hatchback design. Despite its sloping roof, there’s enough room in the back seat for 6-footers, and the seats fold down to increase overall cargo volume to 35 cubic feet.

All A5 and S5 variants come in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Base models of each have a leather interior, heated power front sport seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, 18-inch wheels and LED headlights.

The basic infotainment system is now a 10.1-inch touch screen supporting a 10-speaker AM/FM/CD/HD Radio, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Coupe models come with a panoramic sunroof; the A5 Cabriolet with a power-operated fabric roof. Included is Audi pre sense basic and pre sense city. The first instantaneously prepares the car if a collision appears imminent, while the second aims to prevent one by detecting other cars and pedestrians and automatically braking.

We think the mid-trim Premium Plus A5 is worth the extra $4,500 as it adds safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic, and will even alert you of a coming vehicle when exiting the A5. Also included are Matrix-design LED headlights, Virtual Cockpit, Audi phone box signal booster, front and rear parking sensors, Audi side assist and pre-sense rear plus a hands-free trunk/tailgate release.

Prestige trims add navigation, 19-speaker/755-watt Bang & Olufsen audio, top-view camera, adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, park-steering assist and a head-up display. Other options include a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and the Driver Assistance package with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and traffic-sign recognition. Audi Connect Prime grants 4G LTE connectivity.

Powering the 2020 Audi A5 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine good for 248 horsepower. Combined with standard quattro all-wheel drive, this setup is enough to propel each A5 model to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

Move up to the S5 line and you’ll find a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged V6 producing 349 horsepower and a 4.4-second zero-to-60-mph run.

The A5 models use Audi’s 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic, while the S5 models run with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic. Despite its rather potent output, the A5 achieves up to 32 mpg, which is surprisingly efficient. Aiding with the good fuel economy is an annoying start/stop feature that shuts down the engine at idle, but that can be defeated with simple press of a button.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (A5)
248 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg (A5, A5 Sportback), 23/31 mpg (A5 Cabriolet)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (S5)
349 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (S5, S5 Sportback), 19/26 mpg (S5 Cabriolet)