Yahoo Autos 2018 Audi A5 Sportback in Depth: Triumphant Combination
Overall Raing:
The A5 Sportback combines the features of several Audis: the sweeping lines of the A5 coupe, the four-door layout and cargo space of the A4 sedan, and the convenience of the Q5 SUV’s rear liftgate. Despite this Frankenstein formula, the A5 Sportback doesn’t look or feel cobbled together. Just the opposite. It’s rewarding to drive, with nimble sports-sedan handling and a spirited turbo four-cylinder. Its sheetmetal is Euro chic, and inside, its high-quality materials and minimalist design look great-although the interior gives up some rear-seat spaciousness to its sedan sibling. But because of its playfulness and practicality, we’re happy to forgive the A5 Sportback its few small flaws.
What’s New for 2018?
Like the rest of the Audi A5’s lineup, the A5 Sportback is all new from roof to road for 2018. This is the first year the A5 line’s “four-door coupe” body style has been offered for sale in the United States. The Sportback wears subtly sporty sheetmetal that is similar to what the A5 coupe and convertible are wrapped in but adds a larger cargo hold with easier access thanks to a large rear hatch.
Trims and Options We’d Choose
The A5 Sportback is well equipped in each of its three trims-Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige-but we’d go with the mid-level Premium Plus, which adds niceties such as blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, LED headlamps, keyless entry with push-button start, and heated front seats with memory settings for the driver. We’d also select the $2600 Navigation package, which includes:
• A larger 8.3-inch infotainment display
• Audi’s impressive Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster
• Access to Audi Connect Prime and Plus (onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, live traffic updates, Google Earth connectivity, and much more)
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard, and all models come with an overachieving 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine under the hood. As equipped, our chosen A5 Sportback scoots in just under the $50,000 mark at $49,175.
Base Price Comparison
You Might Also Like
