“I absolutely love my Audi A5 cabriolet. It's fun and sporty, looks great, is fun to drive, has tons of safety features, and literally infuses joy in my day every single day I drive it with the top down. It's the best car I've ever owned!”
Audi A5: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Audi A5 is a compact luxury car family known for sleek design, a refined cabin, and secure all-weather traction. Over its history, it has blended the style of a coupe or convertible with the everyday usefulness of a four-door model.
The A5 has long been Audi’s more style-focused compact luxury car. It began mainly as a coupe, added a convertible, and later expanded into practical four-door forms without losing its sleek look. Across generations, its core character has centered on standard all-wheel drive, turbocharged power, a polished ride, and an upscale cabin rather than especially sharp sports-car handling.
Strengths
- Standard all-wheel drive has given every A5 since 2015 reassuring traction in wet or wintry weather.
- The cabin is quiet, upscale, and designed to make everyday driving feel polished.
- Its sleek shape stands apart from a conventional luxury sedan without giving up daily usability in four-door versions.
- The ride favors comfort and composure, making the A5 well suited to commuting and longer trips.
- The 2026 gas-powered A5 uses a strong 268-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine.
- The 2026 sedan has 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space, giving it useful carrying room for a compact luxury car.
Who it's for
The A5 suits someone who wants a polished daily driver that feels more distinctive than a traditional compact luxury sedan. It is a good fit for commuting, longer trips, and changing weather, especially for buyers who value comfort and design more than aggressive handling. Older coupes and convertibles also appeal to shoppers willing to trade some practicality for a more personal, style-led car.
Audi A5 lineup
Premium is the entry trim and keeps the A5’s core combination of turbocharged power, all-wheel drive, and an upscale cabin. Premium Plus is the recurring middle choice for shoppers who want more comfort, audio, navigation, or driver-assistance equipment without moving to the top trim. Prestige sits at the top of the regular A5 range and is the pick for the fullest luxury and technology experience. Exact equipment changed over time, but that basic trim ladder has remained consistent across much of the A5’s history.
Audi A5 generations
From 2009 to 2026, the A5 spans three generations. The current 3rd Generation — B10 arrived for 2025, following the 2nd Generation — B9/F5 (2018–2024).
3rd Generation — B10 (2025–Present)
This generation combines the roles of the old A4 sedan and A5 Sportback in one gas-powered A5 line. It has a larger body, a newer cabin layout, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
49 In Stock
2026Trim changes
A revised steering wheel adds physical scroll controls. The touchscreen layout is simpler, with updates to the displays, drive modes, driver aids, and voice assistant.
2025New generation
The redesigned A5 sedan arrives with a larger body and a new cabin. The outgoing A5 Sportback remains on sale alongside it for this transition year, while the old coupe and convertible leave the lineup.
2nd Generation — B9/F5 (2018–2024)
The second-generation A5 brought a redesigned body and cabin, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and standard all-wheel drive. It also introduced the five-door Sportback to the U.S. alongside the coupe and convertible.
116 In Stock
2024
Adaptive cruise control, active lane assistance, parking sensors, and a heated steering wheel become standard across the lineup.
2023
Matrix-design LED headlights become standard. The lineup also gets a revised 18-inch wheel design and several equipment updates.
2022
Higher-output four-cylinder models gain a firmer sport suspension, and equipment packages are reorganized.
2021Mid-cycle update
Updated styling is joined by a 261-hp turbo engine with mild electrical assist, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and more driver-assistance equipment.
2020Mid-cycle update
Front and rear styling is refreshed, LED exterior lighting becomes standard, and a new 10.1-inch touchscreen replaces the older infotainment setup.
2019
LED headlights become standard, with small equipment changes elsewhere.
2018New generation
The redesigned coupe and convertible arrive with a new cabin, a 252-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, and standard all-wheel drive. The five-door Sportback joins the U.S. lineup for the first time.
1st Generation — 8T/8F (2009–2017)
The first-generation A5 started as a two-door coupe with a V6 and standard all-wheel drive. A convertible and turbo four-cylinder joined later, and a 2013 update sharpened the styling and refreshed the cabin.
22 In Stock
2017Trim changes
Sport-styled exterior trim, front and rear parking sensors, and a flat-bottom steering wheel become standard.
2016Trim changes
Sport-styled exterior trim becomes standard across the lineup. Premium Plus models also gain a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
2015
All-wheel drive becomes standard across the lineup after the front-wheel-drive convertible is dropped. Upgraded exterior lighting also becomes standard.
2014Trim changes
The turbocharged four-cylinder rises to 220 hp. Bluetooth, HomeLink, an audio interface, and a driver information display become standard.
2013Mid-cycle update
A major refresh brings a sharper front end, revised lighting, updated interior details, and a new steering system.
2012Trim changes
Carryover year with small equipment adjustments before the 2013 refresh.
2011Trim changes
Automatic all-wheel-drive models with the turbo four-cylinder move to an eight-speed transmission. Navigation and higher-trim equipment also receive small updates.
2010Trim changes
The A5 convertible debuts, and the 211-hp turbo four-cylinder becomes the entry engine. The coupe lineup and infotainment equipment are also reorganized.
2009
An auxiliary audio input is added; otherwise, the A5 coupe largely carries over.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Audi A5.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi A5 a sedan, coupe, convertible, or hatchback?
It depends on the era. The newest A5 is a four-door sedan with a large rear opening. Earlier A5s came as a two-door Coupe, a soft-top Cabriolet, and a five-door Sportback. The Coupe and Cabriolet left the U.S. lineup during the latest transition.
Does the Audi A5 come as a hybrid?
No full hybrid is part of the U.S. A5 story covered here. Newer A5s use a turbocharged gas engine. Refreshed second-generation cars used a small 12-volt mild-hybrid system, but they still drive and refuel like regular gas cars.
Does every Audi A5 have all-wheel drive?
Most do, and quattro all-wheel drive is standard on newer A5s. Some older Cabriolets used front-wheel drive with a continuously variable automatic, so check the exact car when shopping early examples.
What is the Audi A5 known for?
The A5 is known for sleek styling, a quiet upscale cabin, secure all-weather traction, and a polished ride. It feels composed and comfortable rather than chasing the sharpest possible sport-sedan handling.
Who is the Audi A5 a good fit for?
The A5 suits someone who wants a stylish luxury car that still works for daily driving. Sportback and newer sedan versions add useful cargo access, while the older Coupe and Cabriolet put more emphasis on two-door style or open-air driving.
How many generations of the Audi A5 are there?
There are three generations in this history. The first ran through 2017, the second arrived for 2018, and the third began for 2025. The newest generation also absorbed the role previously filled by the A4 sedan and A5 Sportback.
Is the Audi A5 practical enough for everyday use?
Yes, especially as a Sportback or newer sedan. The latest A5 seats five and has 22.6 cubic feet of cargo room, while older two-door versions trade some access and rear-seat convenience for their sleeker shape.
Audi A5 Reviews
What owners are saying about the Audi A5.
4.3
Audi A5
(1,499 reviews)
“In addition to overall styling in workmanship, this vehicle feels very solid to drive. Audi has a solid reputation for quality vehicles.”
“My first time owning an Audi has been the best experience and true joy driving. Entering Elderhood will be a blast now in my Audi convertible!!!”
“It's a beautiful car that is fun to drive and comfortable. It has all of the latest safety features. I love convertibles. Have driven SAAB, BMW and now this is my second Audi cabriolet. I have never received so many compliments on a vehicle ( save my 65 Corvette ) . Nothing beats the feeling of driving around on a sunny day with the top down. This A5 is the consummate convertible!”
“This is my second Audi A5. I love my car but wish some sort of rain gutter would be around the windows & trunk lid. If you open the window or trunk when it has rained water pours either into the car from the window onto the driver or into the trunk if loading groceries.”
“Should have more standard features inside the vehicle, like Bluetooth capabilities such as streaming music, Self-dimming rearview mirror with on/off switch, heated front seats, Better multifunction computer. Other than that, all good...Overall vehicle quality and look is phenomenal.”