Our Fleet Test Drive: Audi A5 Sportback - 3rd Report
Date:
14 January 2011
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Author: Guy Bird
It's the clean quality of the design and the consistent fit and finish that sets Audi apart from other brands
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Category: | Sports | P11D price: | £29,310 | Key rival: | BMW 3 Series | |
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Can you think of a duff cabin anywhere within Audi's range at present? Me neither.
The A5 is no exception. Even in SE middle spec it exudes class. You won't find incongruous cheap elements or unseemly gaps between parts here. From an ergonomic point of view, all the centre console controls are grouped with the driver's dials by a hugging dashboard surround, but it is not heavily raked towards the driver so front passengers won't feel left out. The quietly smart, sporty and comfortable standard leather seats raise the tone of the whole cabin (without the need for contrast stitching) and at the back, the hatch is long and wide, fitting large and odd-shaped luggage with ease, not something you can usually say about coupe-shaped cars.
In fact, the only interior downside we've (physically) detected so far is that the low entry height does occasionally catch out passengers both front and back. My tall 7-year old, more recently used to mini-MPV rear space, has already clonked her head getting in. But it's far from a deal breaker. The space is fine once you're in.
Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI SE Multitronic 143hp | Mileage | 553 | Claimed combined consumption | 48.7mpg | Our average consumption | 34.8mpg | P11D price | £29,310 | Model price range | £25,455-£38,725 | CO2 (tax) | 152g/km/22% | BIK 20/40% per month | £107/£215 | Service interval | up to 19,000mls/2yrs | Insurance | group 22E | Warranty | 3yrs/60,000mls | Boot space (min/max) | 480/980 litres | Engine size/power | 1968cc/143hp | Top speed/0-62mph | 127mph/9.7secs | Why we’re running it | To see if the A5 really can combine practicality with style in everyday living | Positive | Classic exterior looks, interior quality and design | Negative | Low roofline requires careful entry |
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