2020 Audi A5 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Luxury coupes are certainly not the most practical vehicle in the world. That said, they still have a loyal fan base who wouldn't consider anything else. What these cars lack in practicality they make up for in style, refinement, and performance.

Unlike so many other segments of the market, the luxury coupe class is fairly small. One standout offering is the 2020 Audi A5. This two-door coupe has a lot to offer those who seek a thrilling ride in a sophisticated setting. There is also a hatchback style of the vehicle, called the A5 Sportback, which may be better suited for certain consumers. Buyers also can choose between hard-top and convertible versions of the A5.

The price of the A5 has dropped slightly for 2020. Still, these are luxury vehicles and far from cheap. This should motivate buyers to learn all they can about the three different models of the A5 available. Drivers who would be satisfied with a lower trim can save themselves quite a bit of money.

In this guide, differences between models are laid out to help buyers know if they are better suited for the Premium, Premium Plus, or Prestige trim.

 

Compare the 2020 Audi A5 Premium vs Premium Plus Trims. What is the difference?

Despite there being three different trims available for the 2020 Audi A5, there is but one available powertrain. This sporty little coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that generates 248-horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This size engine in this size of a vehicle results in the A5 being able to go from zero to 60 in just 5.6 seconds and having a top speed of 130mph. All models get the stop/start technology that can help with fuel efficiency.

The similarities underneath the hood do not end with the engine. All three trim levels also share the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Also standard across the board is the Quattro all-wheel-drive. The A5 gives drivers a five-link front and a rear independent suspension. Buyers can opt for a sports suspension on any trim, which drops the car down 20mm.

As far as fuel efficiency goes, the A5 offers some highly respectable numbers for an all-wheel-drive vehicle in this class. Drivers can expect 24mpg in the city along with 32mpg on the highway. Buyers should be aware the Audi recommends premium gasoline for the A5.

Audi Drive Select is a popular feature that buyers will find equipped from the Premium trim and up. It allows drivers to select from dynamic, comfort, auto, or individual settings. Changing the setting will alter several performance aspects related to agility, comfort, and steering response.

Underneath the Premium trim, as well as the other two models, are 18-inch wheels and all-season tires. The front shows off a honeycomb-style grille. The side mirrors are heated and power-adjustable but fold manually. A panoramic sunroof helps let the cabin of the A5 feel more spacious.

LED headlights are found on the front of the Premium trim. High beam assist is standard. Swinging around to the back, drivers will find LED taillights that show-off Audi's dynamic indicators. Other practical yet stylish features to be found on the exterior of the 2020 Audi A5 include heat-insulating glass in the side windows and aluminum window surrounds.

After checking out the exterior, consumers will want to sit down in the cabin of the Premium trim. Found here are sophisticated features like three-zone automatic climate control and an LED interior lighting package. The rearview mirror is auto-dimming and includes a digital compass. As for the steering wheel, the A5 embraces its sportiness with its three-spokes and paddle shifters.

Seating surfaces are leather, which is to be expected in a luxury vehicle. Both of the front seats are heated and have eight-way power-adjustment. The driver seat also gets four-way power lumbar adjustment for extra comfort. A split-folding rear seatback helps make the A5 slightly more practical. Consumers should be aware that the trunk of the A5 offers only 11.6 cubic feet of space.

Another way that luxury vehicles try to separate themselves from the non-luxury variety is with advanced standard tech. The entry-level Premium trim of the A5 offers buyers a 10.1-inch touchscreen and the Audi smartphone interface which includes both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also found inside the cabin of this trim is a 7-inch driver information display.

A 10-speaker sound system with a six-channel amplifier is found in the Premium trim. Considering the size of this vehicle, that number of speakers offers a fairly immersive experience. Bluetooth is standard and can help drivers stream music directly from their phone.

The Premium trim has a universal garage door opener. It also comes with a trial subscription for Audi connect CARE. This is a combination of security and assistance services that drivers can choose to pay for once their trial expires.

All versions of the 2020 Audi A5 have a rearview camera and a tire pressure monitoring system. They all also have sensors for both the headlights and windshield wipers that can detect rain and light. More traditional safety features, such as electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, are found on this trim as well.

Audi groups their advanced driver aids into "Pre Sense" packages. The Premium trim has Pre Sense basic, which monitors the front of the vehicle for impending collisions. Its primary goal is to alert the driver to prevent these incidents. If this fails, it prepares the A5 for the collision by tightening seatbelts. Also standard for the Premium trim is Pre Sense City. This system is designed to look for pedestrians as well as stationary vehicles, making it very useful on crowded streets.

Next up is the Premium Plus. It does not earn the "plus" in its name mechanically, as it is identical to the Premium trim. Also the same are the 18-inch tires it rides on. Instead, this trim adds more convenience and luxury touches, both inside and out.

For the exterior, the side mirrors become auto-dimming and power-folding. While the Premium trim did offer an anti-theft vehicle immobilizer, the Premium Plus trim further adds motion sensors and an alarm. It is also worth noting that this trim can be upgraded to 19-inch wheels for a little extra as part of an appearance package.

The most impressive thing drivers will spot inside the Premium Plus trim is the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit. Replacing the driver information screen, this virtual cockpit comes with three visual modes. Drivers get to choose from dynamic, classic, and sport themes for getting their information.

This trim also adds the Audi phone box feature. This is a handy feature because it not only boosts cell phone signal, but it also acts as a wireless device charger. Rounding out tech features is the addition of satellite radio and a 90-day trial subscription for SiriusXm radio.

Seating remains more or less the same for the Premium Plus. The driver's seat does gain a memory function, something handy for households with multiple drivers. Both the center console and door armrests also get covered in a leatherette material.

In addition to the Pre Sense technology found on the Premium trim, the Premium Plus adds Pre Sense Side and Pre Sense Rear. They work very similarly to Pre Sense Basic, which only monitors the front of the vehicle. With these new additions on the Premium Plus trim, the A5 is essentially covered from every angle. These features work a lot like the rear cross-traffic and safe exit assist driver aids found on other brands.

Two major packages exist for the Premium Plus trim level. First up is the S-Line interior package. It upgrades the leather for the interior, goes with a flat-bottomed steering-wheel, and adds stainless steel pedal caps. The package further adds stylish matte aluminum inlays.

Buyers can also add the Black Optic package, which is aimed at the exterior appearance. On top of the black touches to the exterior trim, it adds the 19-inch wheels. It also changes out the all-season tires for summer performance ones instead.

 

Compare the 2020 Audi A5 Premium Plus vs Prestige Trims. What is the difference?

When it comes to the Prestige trim, buyers will not find any performance-related reasons to choose it. It does get fancier in a few ways, however. The LED taillights gain animation in addition to the dynamic indicators found in lower trims, for example. The headlights also gain washers for added safety and convenience.

Inside, the most significant upgrade involves the audio. This trim gains a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a 16-channel amplifier. Navigation is added as well. Exclusive to this trim is also a trial subscription of a more advanced version of Audi connect. While all versions of the A5 have an LED interior lighting package, the Prestige gets a more advanced one that adds more color options.

Consumers who are after advanced driver aids will want to take a close look at the Prestige trim. It adds a head-up display, traffic sign recognition, and active lane assist to its list of standard equipment. Also gained by going with this trim is adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist. A top-down view camera system is another handy upgrade.

Audi park steering assist is the final driver aid gained by the Prestige. Using ultrasonic sensors, this feature can locate ideal parking spots. Once the right spot has been found, the A5 can actually handle all of the steering during the parking process. Drivers still need to manage the braking and accelerating.

The same two packages that were available for the Premium Plus trim are available for the Prestige.

2020 Audi A5: Which Trim to Choose?

Initially, it can be hard to decide which trim to choose considering they are mechanically the same and look pretty much identical from the outside. Once a buyer sits inside the cabin of different options, however, a choice will become clearer. While the Premium trim has plenty of luxury, it does not have the incredibly impressive virtual cockpit found on upper trims. It also lacks the Pre Sense Side and Pre Sense Rear features.

There is a reason people use the term "happy medium." While there really is no bad version of the 2020 Audi A5, the Premium Plus trim level seems to better balance features and cost. Not only does it add several nice standard features, but it expands the number of available features offered on the A5 as well.

The Prestige trim will undoubtedly have its fans. Although adaptive cruise control and lane change assist can be added to the Premium Plus trim, the other advanced driver aids found on the top trim cannot. If those features do not matter to the buyer, however, they are better off skipping this trim and saving some money.

When it comes to the 2020 Audi A5, the Premium Plus trim level is a smart buy with all of the luxury drivers could want.