2022 (72) Audi A5 35 TDI Sport 5dr S Tronic [Comfort+Sound]

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

When it comes to prestigiously-badged mid-sized executive German cars, traditional thinking used to suggest that estates were fine but five-door hatchbacks weren't. Audi however, hasn't made it to the top of the pile by traditional thinking and in this century's second decade, turned such thinking on its head with its A5 Sportback, the second generation version of which was significantly improved in 2020 with mild hybrid engineering and a classier, better-connected cabin. Plus of course, as ever, you get a double dose of vorsprung durch technik.

History

Smarter, better connected and more efficient, this improved version of Audi's second generation A5 Sportback was launched in 2019 to offer a much improved proposition. As before, there was coupe styling married to a couple of rear passenger doors and hatchback practicality, plus impressive build quality and cutting-edge technology. The original first generation '8T8'-series version of this car, launched back in 2010, rather set a trend. It was the first hatchback in the premium-badged part of the mid-sized executive segment, the area of the market dominated by models like Audi's A4, BMW's 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class. Previously, we'd seen saloons and estates in this sector, but never a hatch. The 'Gran Turismo'-style looks of that original A5 Sportback changed that - and that car was so successful that BMW was forced to copy its concept with subsequent 3 Series Gran Turismo and 4 Series Gran Coupe models. Audi though, reckoned that the original was still the best and aimed to underline that perspective with the second generation A5 series range which arrived in 2016, a line-up mildly updated three years on to create the car we're going to look at here. This design didn't need too much embellishment - and didn't get it, either in this five-door Sportback form or in the alternative A5 Coupe and Convertible body shapes that Audi also offered. The stiff, sophisticated MLB Evo chassis introduced in 2016 continued, which meant that this A5 Sportback also continued to differ from its most direct BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe rival in its use of a platform primarily based around driving the front rather than the rear wheels. Still, Audi put in a lot of effort to make this set-up rewardingly responsive. And of course as usual, as with Audi, there was four-wheel drive available further up the range. We mentioned the changes made to the improved version of this MK2 model were mild. That doesn't mean they weren't significant. The revised front grille hinted at the improvements which took place behind it, mostly based around the adoption of Audi's mild hybrid engineering tech. That also featured in the powerful six cylinder diesel unit that were adopted for the sporting S5 variant as part of this update. And there were important changes inside too, with a brand-new modular infotainment platform accessed via a larger and much more sophisticated 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen. The MK2 A5 Sportback sold in this form until the end of 2024, when it was replaced by a new-generation model.

What You Get

Imagine what an Audi A4 saloon might look like if it had a hatchback, was slightly wider and lower and had an A5 coupe nose and you're pretty much picturing this Sportback model. To be fair, you wouldn't necessarily immediately guess its A4 ancestry from a casual glance. This design, though just 7mm longer than that car, is a significant 41mm lower and has the A5 Coupe model's wavy waistline and frameless doors. In this evolved form, the second generation version of this A5 Sportback gained a slightly more sophisticated feel and almost everywhere you look, there's a chamfered surface or an intricately-fashioned part that's clearly been carefully considered - then carefully considered again. Up front, you'll find yourself in a cabin that, as before, we think will really sell you this car. Despite recent advances made by direct rivals, in many ways back in 2019 this remained the defining interior of its class, with cabin quality that was still un-bettered in the segment, with the cool, classy feel that's distinctive to this Ingolstadt brand. The key change here lay in the addition of a much larger 10.1-inch centre-dash infotainment screen, with more sophisticated graphics, acoustic touch functionality and 'natural language voice control'. Unfortunately, as part of this update the car lost the useful rotary controller that had operated the previous MMI system, but navigation was now standard, as were a wider range of cutting-edge 'Audi connect' media features. You're positioned almost faultlessly on supportive heated seats in front of the best digital dash in the segment from this period, the 12.3-inch 'Audi Virtual Cockpit' screen, by 2019 fitted as standard throughout the range. Wherever you look, touch or feel, there are treats. Buttons click nicely, column stalks feel good and the low-rent plastics you'd find further down in most premium rivals are noticeable by their absence. In the rear, the sleeker profile does indeed sacrifice a little headroom compared to a conventional premium mid-sized model, especially when a panoramic glass roof has been fitted. Still, those of average height should be fine and the improvements in cabin space incorporated into the original version of this second generation A5 design help this Audi when it comes to leg space. One tall adult can sit behind another in reasonable comfort - though there's not quite as much room to stretch out as there is in a rival BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. You access the boot via a standard powered tailgate and once the hatch raises, a class-competitive 480-litre capacity is revealed.

What to Look For

Most owners in our survey seemed happy. We've heard of gearbox problems, seat backrest faults and suspension issues, so check all these on your test drive. The steering rack can experience electrical and mechanical failure and might be noisy too. The most reported faults related to interior trim and non-engine electricals. Look out for bodywork scrapes and kerb damage to the large alloys. We've had some reports of issues with wear to the side bolsters of the leather seats, as well as squeaking front brake pads, so it's worth looking out for both of those. There were a few issues with the car's infotainment system, with phones not connecting properly and flickering screens being the main problem. Rattling parcel shelves and buzzing interior trims were also reported. The DSG automatic gearbox should be checked to make sure it's had a regular oil and filter change, as should the quattro four-wheel-drive system. Many A5 Sportbacks will have been company or lease cars and, as a result, you should check the condition of the bodywork carefully. The high-quality fit and finish of an A5 also makes it an ideal candidate for clocking, so ensure the history is absolutely verified.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on an A5 2019 30 TDI - Ex Vat - autodoc.co.uk) An oil filter costs in the £4-£15 bracket. An air filter's in the £13-£20 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £28 to £71 bracket for a set; for a rear set, it's around £20-£43. Front brake discs sit in the £41-£78 bracket; for a rear pair, you're looking at around £40-£65. Starter motor prices vary widely - from £55-£413, depending on brand. As do costs for an alternator (anywhere in the £186-£687 bracket we found).

On the Road

So what's Audi's idea of how a 'Gran Turismo'-styled car of this size from this period should drive? Well very luxury-orientated - as you would expect. Certainly, downsizing into an A5 Sportback from Audi's larger GT, the A7 Sportback, wouldn't be too taxing. In terms of what was changed here as part of this update, the key thing was Audi's adoption of mild hybrid engine technology almost right across the board, with a 12-volt MHEV set-up provided for virtually all the brand's four cylinder engines. Otherwise, the engineering of this MK2 A5 Sportback was much as it was when we first saw it back in 2016 - which meant that this was still primarily a front or four-wheel drive car; in a segment still dominated by rear-driven rivals. Potential customers for this car tend to prioritise comfort and refinement rather than on-the-limit handling and this A5 continues to deliver impressively in both of these areas. The only real caveat here lies with the firmer Sport suspension you have to have with the 'S line' trim level that most original customers chose. Try before you buy is our advice. We mentioned the mild hybrid engine tech. The only powerplant that doesn't get it is the older-tech 2.0-litre diesel unit fitted to the 190PS 40 TDI quattro derivative. Otherwise, the MHEV system features on all the four cylinder powerplants, incorporating an integrated 'BAS' belt alternator starter-generator that powers a 12-volt main electrical set-up in which a compact lithium-ion battery in the boot stores energy harvested via a 'KERS' kinetic energy recovery system. A strong seller was the entry-level A5 35 TFSI petrol variant, which got a 150PS 2.0 TFSI unit and, like all mainstream A5 Sportback variants, featured as standard a 7-speed S tronic auto gearbox. The same 2.0 TFSI engine was offered in 190PS form in the 40 TFSI variant - and in 245PS guise in the 45 TFSI quattro. Diesel buyers were offered the Volkswagen Group's 2.0 TDI unit in 163PS form in the base 35 TDI derivative that many A5 customers will still want. Diesel also powered the sporting S5 model, which as part of this update switched to a 347PS 3.0-litre twin turbo six cylinder unit, which had the more advanced 48-volt MHEV system and was boosted by an electric compressor.

Overall

Audi proved with the first generation A5 Sportback that there was room in the market for a premium-badged mid-sized executive model with a fifth door and an added dose of charisma. Ingolstadt further refined that concept with the original version of this MK2 model - and further embellished it here, bringing us a smarter, more efficient and more up-market product. In summary, this is exactly what Ingolstadt promised us back in 2019, an 'intelligent evolution' of a car that stacks up on paper and can credibly manage to seat up to five people. It's all enough to make this A5 Sportback a hard option to ignore from its period if you fit its target market. For relatively small premium over an A4, it delivers for you a more stylish yet still pretty practical package. One thing's certain: here's another very desirable Audi.