2012 Audi A5: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2012 Audi A5 was a quiet carryover year, with standard premium audio as the most notable lineup-wide upgrade. Audi also adjusted the trim list and made rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights standard on the Premium trims.
About the 2012 Audi A5
1st generation A5 (8T/B8), final U.S. model year before the 2013 refresh.
Audi positioned the A5 as a design-led luxury two-door with real everyday usability. The core appeal was not raw power alone, but the blend of sleek coupe or Cabriolet styling, a polished cabin, strong low-end pull from the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, and the brand’s upscale feel. Against rivals, the A5’s identity centered on elegant design, cabin quality, and year-round usability more than outright aggressiveness.
The 2012 A5 remained a stylish four-seat luxury car sold as a fixed-roof Coupe or soft-top Cabriolet. Premium versions paired a 211-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with leather seating and power front seats, while quattro models added all-wheel drive for better traction in poor weather.
What changed, by category
2012 Audi A5 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 8-Spd Tiptronic | Auto, CVT Multitronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 29–31 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Horsepower | 211 hp | 211 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 10.2–12.4 cu-ft | 10.2 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 31.7–31.9 in | 31.9 in |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||
| Alarm System | ||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Premium Audio | ||
| Smartphone Interface | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||
| Rear Window Shades | ||
| Remote Start | ||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2012 Audi A5 redesigned?
No. The 2012 Audi A5 kept the same first-generation Coupe and Cabriolet design, with only small equipment and trim adjustments before the broader 2013 refresh.
What was the main upgrade for the 2012 Audi A5?
The main lineup-wide upgrade was premium audio becoming standard. Premium trims also gained rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.
Did the 2012 Audi A5 get a new engine?
No. The 2012 A5 continued with the 211-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the same basic front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive arrangements.
How is the 2012 Audi A5 different from the 2011 model?
The differences are modest. For 2012, premium audio became standard, Premium trims gained a rain/light sensor, and the 2.0T FrontTrak Premium joined as the prior 2.0T Premium was dropped.
Is the 2012 Audi A5 the refreshed version?
No. The 2012 A5 is the final U.S. model year before the 2013 refresh, which brought broader changes to the front-end design, steering setup, and standard equipment.