What Is the 2019 Audi A5?
The Audi A5 and its siblings were redesigned for 2018 and are derived from the A4 sedan. They’re offered in three body styles, all with standard all-wheel drive. The A5 and S5 come in coupe, convertible and four-door hatchback (Sportback) body styles; the high-performance RS5 comes in coupe and Sportback body styles.
A5 models have a 248-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that works with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The S5 has a 349-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic. The RS5, meanwhile, gets a 444-hp, turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic. Competitors include the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and Infiniti Q60.
What’s New on the 2019 Audi A5?
Park assist is now standard on Prestige models, and a new Black Optic Plus Package is available on the A5 coupe and Sportback with black exterior and interior trim, a sport suspension, 19-inch wheels and summer tires. The RS5 gains a Sportback model, and the Virtual Cockpit and MMI navigation systems are now standard. New Alu Optic and Black Optic packages for the RS5 add 20-inch forged wheels, plus carbon-fiber and gloss-black exterior trim.
What Features in the 2019 Audi A5 Are Most Important?
This lineup provides capable handling in different weather conditions with its standard all-wheel drive, but Audi also offers a variety of suspension options, including an adaptive suspension and sport (meaning stiffer) setup, depending on the model.
The available Virtual Cockpit has a 12.3-inch configurable display that shows high-quality graphics ranging from traditional analog gauges to a full-width navigation display. Standard safety features include Audi Pre Sense City, which can detect a collision and automatically apply the brakes. Blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning are available.
Should I Buy the 2019 Audi A5?
There are many things to like about this line of cars — styling, performance, interior quality, and features such as Virtual Cockpit. However, it's short on practicality, with a tight backseat that's short on headroom. Many cars that cost around $50,000 leave us expecting more for that much money, but the A5 and its siblings provide enough of a driving and luxury experience to warrant strong consideration.
