A FINER KIND OF FIVE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 86

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.

Modelsword count: 20

5dr Hatch (2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TFSI, 2.9 TFSI petrol / 2.0 TDI, 3.0 TDI) [Sport, S line,Vorsprung, S5, RS 5])

Historyword count: 416

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 2025, when it was replaced by a new-generation model.

What You Getword count: 421

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.

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