2021 Audi A5 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
The 2021 Audi A5 is a beautiful luxury car that comes in three different body styles. There is a standard coupe model. There's a five-door hatchback version with some extra cargo room in the back. It's also available as a convertible for some open-air fun. The interior is just as attractive as the exterior and provides a lot of modern amenities. There are a lot of good reasons to buy a new Audi A5 along with some downsides to be aware of.
What's New for 2021?
The 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine gets an extra 13 horses under the hood for the 2021 models. This brings the horsepower rating up to 261. This is thanks to a new mild-hybrid system for the powertrain. Lane-Departure Warning and Apple CarPlay compatibility will now be standard features on all models. Some of the higher trim levels will have more safety features and driver-assist technology as well.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Audi A5 – The Pros
1. Strong Performance
The Audi A5 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 261 horsepower. That's enough to get you up to 60 miles-per-hour in just five seconds. This powertrain uses a 12-volt mild-hybrid setup to increase power and efficiency. The Sportback model with an e-Tron Hybrid powertrain will get you a whopping 402 horsepower.
2. Excellent Steering and Handling
The 2021 Audi A5 has amazing steering and handling. The steering dynamics are tight and accurate. The steering has some good weight to it. This is an agile car that can tackle curvy, winding roads with ease. Braking power is strong while the braking action remains smooth. All versions of the 2021 A5 are simply a blast to drive.
3. Quattro All-Wheel Drive
Audi's Quattro All-Wheel Drive system is part of the reason for its excellent handling. High-tech sensors monitor the vehicle to make sure you're getting proper traction to all four wheels. Power is distributed to the wheels that need it the most to keep you moving. Better traction means better handling, even on wet and slick roads. All-wheel drive makes the A5 a safer vehicle.
4. Smooth Ride Quality
A smooth, efficient engine and excellent suspension system means a smooth ride. Ride quality is excellent inside of the Audi A5. The engine runs smoothly with very little in the way of vibrations. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The suspension system soaks up whatever the road throws at it. Riding inside of the A5 feels more like floating. It's also nice and quiet inside of the A5.
5. A Sophisticated Interior
The Audi A5 offers a cozy and attractive interior. It's a sophisticated layout with a smart design and high-quality materials. The fit and finish is excellent here. All of the gauges and controls are placed within easy reach or view. They're laid out in a useful and elegant way. You can get Gray Oak or Brown Walnut wooden-trim overlays on the dash and various panels. The attractive seats offer comfort and a memory feature to save your favorite positions.
6. The Modern Infotainment System
The modern infotainment setup has a large 10.1-inch touchscreen display. There is also a separate 12.3-inch display screen. Smartphones or other mobile devices can be connected via USB or Bluetooth technology. This allows for streaming your favorite music or even making hands-free phone calls. There's a navigation system to help you to find your way. Voice-Command Technology allows you to control many functions while keeping your hands on the steering wheel.
7. Three Attractive Exterior Styles
The 2021 Audi A5 will be available in three distinct different body styles. There's the Sportback which is a hatchback that still offers the athletic performance of the A5. This model gives owners some extra room for cargo in the back with a hatch for easy loading and unloading. There's the Cabriolet which is a convertible model. Then there's the regular Coupe which is a two-door model. Each version of the A5 has unique features and a somewhat different feel while driving.
8. An Available Plug-In Hybrid
The Audi A5 Sportback models will be available as a plug-in hybrid. This version of the A5 offers the best performance available. The hybrid powertrain will produce 402 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque. This model will save you money at the gas pumps while also proving amazing acceleration and speed. It's also the best choice for buyers who want to go green.
9. Safety Features and Driver-Assist Technology
Safety is one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new vehicle. The latest Audi A5 doesn't disappoint in this category. You get an ample amount of airbags to protect the driver and all other occupants. Standard features such as anti-lock brakes and Stability Control can be found on every model. There are also pretensioners on the seat belts and anti-whiplash head restraints. Driver-assist features like Lane-Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Braking give you even more protection.
10. Excellent Crash-Test Ratings
In addition to provide plenty of safety features, the 2021 Audi A5 is engineered to stand up to collisions. This gives you an added level of protection should an unfortunate accident occur. The Audi A5 fares very well in major crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2021 Audi A5 its Top Safety Pick award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still has not yet rated the 2021 models of the Audi A5. They did, however, give the 2019 models a perfect score of five out of five stars in overall safety.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Audi A5 – The Cons
1. No Option for a Manual Transmission
The lack of an optional manual transmission is a real head scratcher. This is a luxury car that is also marketed as a performance vehicle. Drivers who value performance often prefer a manual transmission system. Some drivers won't miss it, but this could be a real turn-off for others.
2. Optional Features Get Expensive
The Audi A5 is reasonably priced for a luxury vehicle with excellent performance. The build quality and materials make the base cost seam more than reasonable. Unfortunately, the cost can go up quickly when you start adding on desirable options.
3. Small Rear-Seat Area
The front seats are comfortable with plenty of head and leg room. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the rear-seat area. They're going to be cramped for average-to-tall adults. They should okay for short commutes, but long road trips could quickly get uncomfortable.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
2021 Audi A5 vs 2021 BMW 4 Series
One of the top competitors for the Audi A5 is the BMW 4 Series. Both are similarly priced with the BMW being slightly less expensive. Both have similar base powertrains with their turbocharged I4 engines. The Audi provides more horsepower and better overall performance. The BMW offers slightly better fuel economy, but it's so close that it's really negligible. The Series 4 has a combined fuel-economy rating of 34 miles-per-gallon while the A5 offers a rating of 31 miles-per-gallon.
The BMW 4 Series is considered a compact car while the Audi A5 is a subcompact. This means a bit more room on the inside of the BMW. The interior comfort and quality, however, is better on the inside of the Audi. The Audi A5 gives buyers more options with its three different body styles. The BMW Series 4 is only available as a coupe. The A5 may be more expensive, but it's a better vehicle that's worth the extra cost.
2021 Audi A5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Another popular alternative to the A5 is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This time around, it's the Audi A5 that's cheaper. Unlike the comparison between the A5 and the 4 Series, the price difference here is pretty significant. The luxurious interior of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will probably seem nicer than the Audi A5 to some buyers, but it doesn't really warrant the price difference. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does also offer more horsepower though.
Acceleration and performance is going to be better in the C-Class, but the A5 still offers better handling. This is in part due to the excellent Quattro All-Wheel Drive system. Both vehicles come with a nice array of comfort and convenience features. Both have similar offerings when it comes to driver-assist systems and safety features. Slightly better acceleration and a more posh interior still doesn't justify the cost difference here. The Audi A5 is a better bargain.
Conclusion
The Sportback, Cabriolet and Coupe versions of the A5 almost feel like completely different vehicles. Audi has created a versatile platform with the A5 that offers something for just about anyone. The real selling points for the Audi A5 are the stylish exterior and the attractive, comfortable interior. No matter which model you choose, you will get a beautiful car with great performance and a lot of nice features.
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