Whether you take the Audi A5‘s designer at his word or not when he calls it the best he’s ever done –and Walter de Silva has no shortage of gorgeous designs on his resume– the 2011 Audi A5 offers a certain understated elegance layered over an athletic physique that few cars in its price range can match. MotorAuthority appreciates the aesthetics, but wishes the U.S. got a bit more sporting version of the Audi A5 than its AudiS5 big brother, and scores the Audi A5 an 8 out of 10.
If Audi’s move from the margins to the mainstream of luxury auto brands is due to any one factor, it’s design. At Audi, the TT is arguably the apotheosis of the brand’s form language, but the Audi A5 is another potent distillation. True, it’s not too far removed from its four-door sibling, the A4, but the coupe does wear its own uniquely sculpted sheetmetal, and the A5 is all the more distinctive due to its relative rarity compared to the seemingly ubiquitous (in some markets, at least) A4.
Consistently high materials quality is a hallmark of the Audi A5, and that doesn’t change with the 2011 model. Leather is standard on all trim levels, while two-tone leather/Alcantara is an available option. Automatic climate control is also standard. The A5′s Multi Media Interface system is impressive, but it can also be confusing to those who are uninitiated. In terms of comfort, the front seats are fine; some drivers may find the low seating position to be annoying, though. The backseat is not meant for extended sitting, though, as headroom and legroom are quite limited.
The Audi A5 is virtually identical to the 2010 model; however, a few extra options have been added to a couple of packages. Still, there are sure to be many drivers eager to get behind the wheel of the coupe or cabriolet. With an MSRP that averages between $36,500 and $44,000, though, the A5 is well outside the budget of many drivers. You get a lot for that sticker price, however, including a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, an optional 3.2-liter V6 and standard all wheel drive. Throw in the car’s sumptuous design, and its MSRP starts looking pretty economical.
Audi’s 2.0T engine is the class of the turbo four-cylinder field (no wonder Audi is spreading it throughout its lineup). The boost is seamlessly integrated, and unleashes a wave of torque that pushes you along. Pairing this engine with Audi’s six-speed manual makes it even more lively. In the Audi A5 coupe, it results in a factory-measured 0-to-60 time of 6.4 seconds, which easily outruns the new Mercedes-Benz C250 coupe, with its new turbocharged, direct-injected four. Standard Quattro means torque steer is not an issue. The A5′s six-speed manual might not be quite as slick as what you’ll find in a BMW 328i, but it still provides nice, light shift action and short throws. As a bonus, the six-speed stick gets better gas mileage than the automatic, despite the latter transmission’s two extra gears. At 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, the A5 is as economical as some compacts.
