The latest Audi A5 Sportback was made available in the UK in 2012 and in anticipation of this we designed and produced a set of car mats for the updated model, and it forms one of a three car A5 range that regularly sees 5-star ratings next to its name.
Styling
Car enthusiasts have been singing the praises of the Audi A5 Sportback. With its spacious interior and sporty lines the new model is an executive saloon with the flexibility of a large boot, four doors and the looks and feel of a sporty hatchback.
Audi claims that there is no other car to rival this exclusive design from the wheels to my car mats, although the Mercedes C Class and BMW 4 Series come close. There is a lot to like about the Sportback including the well built spacious interior, a choice of engines and not least of all its stylish good looks.
Models
There are five specs, going from the entry level up to the high performance S5. All of them feel sporty due to the driving position which is low down. It is controlled rounding corners with responsive brakes and steering that make you feel fully in charge. The ride is firm which can be uncomfortable at times when encountering bumps in the road but as with all Audis you always feel secure and safe inside the cabin.
The wrap around dash is just one of the features that make this car so good to look at inside. One minor niggle is the position of the pedals. The car was designed for Europe but in right hand drive models the pedals are offset making it slightly uncomfortable. Likewise, the sleek looks do compromise the amount of head room in the back of the vehicle.
The engines are extremely quiet but this also highlights an issue with the wing mirrors which cause wind noise.
Reliability
Audi is on the rise again in the reliability surveys climbing 5 places in the last year from 15th to 10th. The quality build and first rate robust feel is in great evidence in the model. Safety features that are included in all A5 models are lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and side air bags and stability control. When fully tested it is expected to receive the full five star rating.
The boot space in the A5 is spacious and will hold 980 litres of luggage with the seats folded down. The boot is wide and easy to load thanks to the innovative shape. Audi has changed the layout from a four seater to a five making the new model more practical.
There is a good amount of legroom and plenty of cubbies for storage inside the cabin. This desirable new A5 Sportback is not the cheapest hatchback but is so well equipped it is worth paying the higher price for a quality Audi, and with new prices starting from just £23,000 there is still value to be found if you shop around for the best deal.
Guest blog provided by car journalist Arthur Hamilton who has ten years experience writing car reviews for magazines and top auto websites.
