Swish-quiet Audi A5 ­Sportback will make you take note

Published on 28 November, 2020

Looks and comfort are centre stage as drive and price take a back seat

Overview

Sometimes I rely heavily on my technical driving notes to convey the good, bad and (now and again) downright ugly in a car on test. Other times I don’t let too much detail get in the way of feeling, and conveying (I hope), the essence of a car.

Take this week’s model, the Audi A5 Sportback which, like so many others from the German brand of late, has undergone updates and revision. I wasn’t sure which route to take because there is a lot of interesting new technology under the sloped roof and bonnet of this mid-size cleverly drawn motor.

The thing is, however, that much of the tech stuff and the bits and pieces they have added are now in, or making their way to, so many cars that I risk boring you more than usual by repeating them. I’m often amazed, when I scan the standard equipment lists of cars, by how much technology we now expect to see on our new vehicle; so I tend to mention only the exceptional.

No, I think the story in this case should be about how, and if, they have contrived to combine all the various bits and pieces, seen, felt and unseen into a better driving entity.

So let me give you a flavour of the ‘driving experience’ — starting with the outside. Is this a car I’d like to have parked in the driveway (presuming I had car or driveway)? Most definitely, yes. I’d go so far as to say that its looks are its strongest point when all is said and done.

One thing I noted in particular is how well, if subtly, they have frisked already decent appearance at the front and rear of this four-door coupé-like version. It is more of an appealing package than before. There is nothing madly flared or extreme; rather it blends long curves to emphasise its low-slung nature and sense of smoothness.

That is an achievement of some magnitude when you consider its close affiliation with the far more conservative looking, but brilliantly engineered, A4 models. The latter provides the platform for both ranges and just goes to show how two cars can have the same basis and yet look so different.

Inside, it is typical modern Audi. I think Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW all have their strengths in this now vitally important area of interface with the driver so it is very much a matter of subjective, personal choice.

I probably nudge towards Mercedes overall because I tend to think its twin-screen display is an exception and I usually make my way around the relevant areas quite easily.

But it would be remiss of me not to recognise the thought that went into putting the Audi’s ensemble of screens, buttons and instruments together to such effect.

Maybe it stands accused, as do many cars these days, of having far too much button-clutter in the vicinity of the steering wheel, as an example, but they didn’t bother me much in this.

The upholstery, alcantara leather mind you, had me feeling in luxury mode in no time. It’s a nicely proportioned cabin, with one reservation: rear seat space was poor enough for me. I had to stoop lower than the sensitive lumbars deemed acceptable to gain entry in the first place.

The 2-litre diesel intruded a bit harshly on start-up, I’m afraid. Predictably it smoothed out early on in one of my many country drives. Maybe I wouldn’t have noticed it as much if there had been more wind or road/tyre noise but there wasn’t, which is a real achievement.

It wasn’t the greatest drive of all time in terms of dynamics and sensation. I felt it was poor enough over rougher roads but I enjoyed the engine’s seamless pulling power on good stretches of motorway.

Steering feedback was good as was the excellent driving position, something that can be compromised where large, deep dashboards are fitted. I enjoyed my drives and time in the car. And so did front-seat passengers. So without looking at my notebook as a reference point, I have to answer the obvious question: Would I buy it? Yes, I would. In particular for how well the car looked. I liked the front of it a lot. But I would offer a caveat that the overall positive verdict does not take into account the near-€60,000 price tag after options and delivery-related charges. It’s good but not that good, I suggest.

Yet it says a lot that even at this remove that the comfortable, swish-quiet cabin and easy driving nature of the car (in Glacier White) are the elements I remember enjoying so much. All the other stuff I’d have to check in my notes. Not needed. This is a nice motor.

Facts & Figures

Audi A5 Sportback: Price (approx for 2021) €53,850, options to €58,265. S-tronic, diesel 1,968cc, 163bhp, €210 tax. S line spec included electric lumbar-support/heated, front sports seats, drive select, rear passengers’ USB, parking sensors, rear-view camera system, Matrix LED headlamps, alcantara-leather, cruise control.
Extras include: style package, sunroof, black mirrors, Glacier White paint.