Used 2022 Audi A5

The 2022 Audi A5 comes as a premium compact coupe, convertible, or sleek hatchback. All three epitomize that special Audi style and quality. They each have sportier variants. Each is desirable in its own way.

The convertible model is called the Audi A5 Cabriolet. Is there a difference between a convertible and a cabriolet? Not really. They’re both names given to open-top cars.

The hatchback A5 is called the Sportback. It has four doors and a hatch. The A5 range was originally conceived as a 2-door offshoot of the A4, but those kinds of constraints left the building ages ago. And anyway, the Audi A5 Sportback manages to look good and make sense.

There are S5 iterations of the Coupe, Cabriolet, and Sportback, with more muscle and sharper suspensions. And for real enthusiasts, the RS 5 Coupe and Sportback have even greater power and sharpness.

This second-generation Audi A5 launched for the 2018 model year and had a major refreshment in 2020.

In regular A5 form, there’s a relaxed vibe to the experience. Not loose, but it requires deliberate attention to pick up on what the steering (well-weighted and with a nice amount of feel) and suspension might be transmitting. That means the A5 isn’t overly tiring on long journeys.

Once the road has some challenging corners, the driver can press on and finds that the A5 remains composed and responsive, flowing through bends.

Audi S5 models are more focused on performance and they’re a blast to drive. The S5 Coupe can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. The RS 5 Coupe, more of a rival for the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe, requires only 3.7 seconds and has an optional top speed of 174 mph.

Easy on the eye, easy on the mind, elegant, clean, and made with top-quality materials — every Aud A5 cabin is a delight. Both the Coupe and Cabriolet are 4-seaters. Unsurprisingly, things get a little constricted in the Cabriolet when the roof is in place. But the Coupe can accommodate a couple of average-size adult males as long as there’s no one taller sitting upfront.

The Audi A5 Sportback has the most rear occupant space. That sloping roof doesn’t affect the rear headroom too badly. Only about an inch less than in the A4 sedan. The A5 Sportback is also great for carrying cargo, holding between 21 and 35 cubic feet. And the 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats create optimum passenger/cargo versatility.

When the S line treatment is in the picture, there are brushed aluminum inlays and a flat-bottom steering wheel. In the sportier S5 and sportiest RS 5 models, the front sport seats have plenty of side support to hold their occupants in place during fast cornering.

Just because the A5 is based on the A4, don’t think it’s the same Audi with different treatments beyond the B-pillars. Admittedly, they’re similar and unmistakably Audi cars, but the A5 has a slightly different hood.

The Coupe is a regular 2-door/hardtop model. The Cabriolet has a couple of doors and a fabric roof. When the roof is down, it folds into the body entirely so the exterior design remains tidy. And the A5 Sportback is a 4-door model with a sloping roof that houses a hatchback. The S5 and RS 5 variations have extra aerodynamic additions and quad exhaust outlets. Each iteration is sleek and stylish.

Audi also offers a Black Optic package for most of the range. Things like the grille, side mirror housings, alloy wheels — and even the roof — are all finished in Batman’s preferred shade.

A5 SPORTBACK
This variant has all the style plus a greater degree of practicality, thanks to a hatchback design and two rear passenger doors. If any justification were necessary when buying a luxury car, it’s easiest with an A5 Sportback.

S5 MODELS
It’s not just the powerful engines and sport suspensions that make the S5 variants so compelling. They also come with more standard equipment than the A5 counterpart. But yes, the speed and handling are sublime, without getting into crazy RS territory.

Regardless of engine, the 2022 Audi A5 and S5 come in Premium, Premium Plus. and Prestige trim levels. The A5 Sportback with the 40 TFSI drivetrain comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, heated side mirrors, self-dimming rearview mirror (with integrated toll module), powered tailgate, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and leather seating surfaces.

Driver-assistance features include lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The infotainment system has a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB ports, and a 10-speaker audio setup.

The A5 Coupe and Cabriolet have the 45 TSFI engine; naturally, the Cabriolet also has a power-operated fabric top with rollover protection. For the S5 cars, Premium trim includes matrix-design LED headlights (made up of multiple small LEDs), leather/Alcantara (simulated suede) upholstery, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The RS 5 Coupe and Sportback are one-trim vehicles that also include a 755-watt/19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Premium Plus trim augments the 2022 Audi A5 with matrix-design LED headlights, 12.3-inch configurable digital driver information display (better known as the Virtual Cockpit), adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, top-view/360-degree camera system, plus a set of items that are optional in the Premium trim as a Convenience package — self-dimming side mirrors, keyless entry/ignition, satellite radio, blind-spot monitoring, and memory settings for the driver’s seat. The S5 models also gain wireless charging and a phone signal booster.

Prestige trim brings matrix-design LED headlights with Audi “laser light”, head-up display, navigation, Wi-Fi, and the B&O audio system.

The Cabriolet offers neck-warming air vents in the front seats. The S5 cars are eligible for a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension, sport rear differential, and red-painted brake calipers. RS 5 models qualify for variable-ratio steering, adaptive sport suspension, and various driver-assistance features.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque — a drivetrain referred to as 40 TFSI — is in the most affordable 2022 A5 Sportback.

Motivating the Coupes, Cabriolets, and other Sportbacks is the same engine but boosted to 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is the 45 TFSI setup. Both of these engines connect to a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.

The Audi S5 variants have a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The RS 5 employs a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 developing 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. These V6-powered models employ an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard in every 2022 A5, S5, and RS 5.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Sportback 40 TFSI)
201 horsepower @ 4,200-6,000 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (45 TFSI)
261 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg (Sportback/Coupe), 23/31 mpg (Cabriolet)

3.0-liter 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: 21/30 mpg (Sportback/Coupe), 21/28 mpg (Cabriolet)

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (RS 5 Sportback/Coupe)
444 horsepower @ 6,700 rpm
442 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg