Insurance Group: 28
MPG: 60.1
CO2: 120
0-62 Mph: 8.5 secs
BHP: 175 BHP
Range: 833 miles
It is the most efficient engine in the A5 Sportback series and is definitely worth the extra over the petrol version but buyers will need long term ownership to outweight the costs.
PROS: This is the most efficient of the A5 Sportback range and the engine is still powerful and has great driveability.
CONS: The S line adds on a lot to the price and the sport suspension is quite firm. The SE trim is much better value for money.
The A5 is a powerful hatchback and handling is good with the four-wheel-drive combining with high levels of grip and high quality suspension which smooths out imperfections in the road. However, the S line suspension is firmer and handles the road with more stability - although this does come at the cost of comfort with the ride becoming a little too harsh.
Acceleration and handling is smooth with the car travelling from 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds. This combines with a top speed of 142 mph which is fairly good for a car of this class.
These credentials are fuelled by 175 bhp of power which is generated alongside 280 lb-ft of torque, giving the car strong grip and high performance. The engine is also refined and quiet, meaning the cabin is relatively hushed. Wind noise is also minimal but sounds from the road and exhaust penetrate the cabin with ease.
The interior of the A5 is well-designed, but some slightly cheap looking features are a bit of a disappointment and lower the otherwise high quality finish. The seat and steering wheel offer plenty of adjustment to make the car comfortable and to offer the best driving position.
The pedals are set off to the right which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances and the clutch is in a recess in the floor which makes it awkward to control. Rear view visibility is also affected by the angled back window and high sides.
The 2.0 TDI S line comes with leather seats, power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including cruise control for £225, metallic paint for £615 and satellite navigation for £1620.
The A5 comes with all the safety equipment you would expect in a high-quality hatchback including driver, passenger and front side airbags and an alarm and immobiliser as standard. It also has stability control to prevent accidents and anti-lock brakes to increase stability on the road.
There are also front and back ISOFIX child seat mounting points and options to fit adaptive xenon headlights, lane-departure warning systems, a rear-view camera and blind-sport warning systems.
The boot is sizeable offering 480 litres with the rear seats up and 980 litres with the seats folded down. The A5 hatchback has got fair room in the front and back for passengers with ample head and legroom.
Unfortunately, whilst practicality and safety levels are high the same cannot be said for reliability. This is because Audi recently performed poorly in the 2011 JD Power survey, meaning that the reliable reputation has been called into question.
The running costs are good with the A5, and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TDI S line model costs £31,895 and has a combined economy of 60.1 mpg and CO2 emission rate of 120 g/km which mean road tax costs will be at the lower end of the scale.
The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version but is worth the extra cost only if you make up enough miles to justify the price and the rising diesel prices. The 2.0 litre engine is one of the best diesel options for value for money due to the level of performance offered combined with the low running costs.
The resale value on the A5 hatchback is also great so it is a worthwhile investment. Audi promise good service as well and the car has low insurance rates to make it even cheaper to keep on the road. Overall it represents great value.
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