2021 Audi A5

The range starts with the Premium model with features like 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, ambient cabin lighting, and leather upholstery. Next in line is the Premium Plus trim which adds a digital instrument cluster, driver-seat memory function, heated steering wheel, wireless charging, and satellite radio. A lot more active safety features are also included. 

The Prestige trim maxes out the A5 with a 19-speaker premium audio system from Bang & Olufsen, navigation, head-up display, and automated parking. Audi also offers further customization with the S Line interior package and black optic package which add bigger 19-inch alloy wheels and several dark trims.

Which Trim should you buy?

The Premium Plus trim which sits at the middle of the range is the best pick of the lot. It gets plenty of features like a digital gauge display, keyless entry, wireless charging, and some luxuries like driver’s seat memory function and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Plus trim also gets plenty of active safety features as standard over the base Premium trim. 

For 2021, the Audi A5 gets a new 2.0L turbocharged engine which produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Audi’s signature Quattro system is available as standard with all models. The A5 also gets a new 12-volt hybrid setup to improve performance and efficiency. As expected, the performance of the regular A5 is more sedate than the S5 and RS5 models with a tractable engine that works well in the city and on the highway. 

The A5 can easily munch miles on the highway when driven sedately with electric assistance for quicker response and overtakes. The 7-speed DCT automatic is very quick with shifts and doesn’t hunt around for gears during quick maneuvers. With the newfound performance, the A5 Coupe propels to 60 mph in just 5 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds, making it the fastest in its class. The new hybrid system further improves performance by providing electric assist to the engine.

Thanks to the power bump and the quick DCT gearbox, the Audi A5 outperforms all its competitors. The BMW 430i takes the second spot in the 0-60 mph run, with slightly slower acceleration, at 5.2 seconds followed by the Mercedes-Benz C300 at 5.5 seconds. Unsurprisingly, the Lexus RC 300 is the slowest, at 6.3 seconds because of its dated powertrain. The BMW has the most top speed of all at 155 mph. 

How well does the 2021 Audi A5 Coupe handle?

The 2021 A5 Coupe gets Audi’s all-wheel-drive Quattro system as standard which helps it grip well in tricky situations. Handling has always been the A5’s strong suit and the new model continues the trend with a balanced ride and accurate handling. While the ride quality is compliant on the highways, it remains poised through the corners with grip. 

The 2021 A5 is also very forgiving even when pushed hard, and stays on the line without much effort. Like the handling, the steering is also well-tuned with plenty of feedback and feels direct even at higher speeds. The standard Quattro system further aids handling by providing plenty of power out of corners and increasing grip levels. 

Braking Performance

With 13.3 inch rotors at the front and 13 inches at the rear, the 2021 A5 stops on a dime. The brake feel is progressive and is easy to modulate. Curb weight is also lighter than average at 3715 lbs which further helps braking performance. When the anchor is dropped at 60 MPH, the A5 takes just 112 feet to come to a halt.

The BMW 430i gets the best braking hardware which lends it the best braking performance in the class. The BMW gets a 13.7 inches front brake and a 13.6 rear brake. It is followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz C300. Both the cars have a stopping distance of 110 feet. The Audi A5 takes the third spot due to the slightly higher curb weight, but 112 feet is pretty good as well. As expected, the Lexus RC fares the worst in the braking department due to the heavy curb weight of 3891 lbs. 

Thanks to the new mild-hybrid technology, the 2021 A5 Coupe manages 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, which is among the highest in class. The fuel tank is on the smaller side at 15.3-gallons, which gives the A5 a highway range of 474 miles. The 12-Volt hybrid system also provides motor assistance in some situations to increase efficiency and also stops the engine automatically at traffic lights with the auto start/stop feature.

With the new powertrain, the Audi A5 manages to match the class-leading BMW 430i with 27 MPG combined. The Mercedes-Benz C 300 is slightly less efficient with a combined rating of 26 MPG. As expected, the Lexus RC300 struggles with just 22 MPG combined because of the big V6 engine. Both the Mercedes and the Lexus have the largest fuel tank at 17.4 gallons. The Mercedes has the most range on offer at 452 miles combined. The BMW comes next in line at 421 miles combined. The Lexus offers the least amount of range at 383 miles. 

Audi has always excelled at making modern interiors, and the 2021 A5 Coupe continues the trend with a modern and elegant dashboard that looks and feels top-class. Everything from the dashboard to the door pads feel built to last with high-quality materials. Soft padding is provided on all the contact areas including the door pads, armrest, and center console for a premium feel. Audi has nailed the layout for their new generation models with a floating infotainment display sitting neatly at the top and easy to reach climate controls below it. The A/C vents are integrated into the huge vent that extends to the length of the dashboard. 

Ambient lighting is provided as standard for an up-market feel on the doors, center console, and cup holders. The thick flat-bottom steering wheel feels nice to hold, and the ergonomics are spot-on with plenty of adjustabilities. The front sport seats offer plenty of bolstering to keep you in place during hard corners and are comfortable for long journeys with good under-thigh support. As expected, the rear seats are cramped but still usable for short journeys. They can also be folded flat to increase cargo capacity.

While the Lexus RC300 offers class-leading space at the front, it does it at the expense of rear-seat space which feels extremely cramped and unusable. Both the 2021 Audi A5 and 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 offer adequate space at the front but the rear seats are cramped compared to the BMW 430i. The BMW offers the most legroom in the rear, and has the most shoulder room on offer as well. In terms of cargo space, the BMW leads again with its 12 cu-ft of cargo space. The Audi offers the second best at 10.9 cu-ft. The other two cars also offer a cargo space in the range of 10 cu-ft only. Some notable interior features include:

• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Ambient cabin lighting
• Keyless entry
• Driver-seat memory options
• Power-adjustable front seats with heating
• Leather Upholstery

What’s there to keep you entertained?

All models of the 2021 A5 get a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard which runs on Audi’s latest MIB 3 software. Standard features include Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, HD radio, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker audio system. Higher trims also get wireless device charging, an upgraded 19-speaker audio system from Bang & Olufsen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. Audi’s 12-inch virtual cockpit is also included on the higher trims along with a head-up display. 

Some notable infotainment features include:

• 10.1-inch display with MIB 3 interface
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity
• Satellite and HD radio
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 19-speaker premium audio system from Bang & Olufsen
• Built-in navigation

With no styling updates for 2021, the Audi A5 continues to be a looker with sleek lines and the signature Audi front fascia. The big grille sits at the front flanked by huge vents with integrated fog lights and sleek LED headlights. The Coupe body style looks well proportioned from the side and is well executed compared to the sedan and Sportback models.

The flared wheel arches lend it a hunkered-down look with prominent body lines extending from the headlights all the way to the taillights. At the rear, the typical horizontal tail lights flank the tailgate with a tiny lip spoiler in the middle. The rear diffuser integrates the chrome exhaust tips well. The optional black optic package adds 19-inch wheels and aluminum/black accents. 

With average dimensions, the 2021 Audi A5 Coupe is overshadowed by rivals like the BMW 430i and Lexus RC300 which are bigger in all dimensions. The Mercedes-Benz C300 is just as big as the A5. The Lexus is the heaviest car of all, whereas the BMW offers the most length, and the most width in these four cars. The Mercedes-Benz sits the closest to the ground at 3.5 inches. In terms of wheelbase, the BMW has the longest wheelbase at 112.2 inches (which explains the spacious interiors) and the Lexus has the tightest wheelbase. All in all, the Audi stays true to its definition as a compact coupe. Some notable exterior features on the Audi A5 Coupe include:

• LED headlights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic moonroof
• LED tail lights
• Heated side mirrors
• Sport suspension (opt)

Based on the modern Volkswagen Group MLBevo platform which also underpins the A4 sedan, the Audi A5 Coupe aces both the NHTSA and IIHS safety tests with the highest ratings. But the A5 Coupe failed to acquire the “Top Safety Pick+” award, unlike the Sportback body style. For 2021, Audi has added lane departure warning as standard on all models. Other standard safety features include a rearview camera, Audi pre-sense basic, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking.

Higher trims also get vehicle exit warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors at both ends, surround-view parking camera system, and automatic park assist. Standard safety features include:

• Lane departure warning with lane keeping assist
• Rear-cross traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Pedestrian detection
• Automatic emergency braking

2021 Audi A5 Coupe vs 2021 BMW 430i Coupe

The 2021 Audi A5 Coupe still cannot match the 2021 BMW 4 Series in terms of driving dynamics and performance. The 4 Series also offers better interior space and is ergonomically sorted compared to the A5. However, the A5 comes close in terms of performance and is definitely the better-looking coupe with its elegant design compared to BMW’s new polarising front-end. The BMW is also more refined on the highway with better NVH levels and ergonomics, making it a comfortable tourer in addition to being a capable sports car. 

2021 Audi A5 Coupe vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe

Like the A5 Coupe, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 is also aimed at being an all-rounder with a balanced ride and plenty of performance. The C-Class still exudes style and elegance from its bold exteriors to the comfy interior. The Mercedes also gets a more relaxed and supple ride, making it an ideal mile-muncher out on the highways. Compared to the C-Class, the A5 Coupe is more efficient, more engaging to drive, and can be considered as a more balanced package.

2021 Audi A5 Coupe vs 2021 Lexus RC 300

While the competition has moved on to smaller and turbocharged powertrains, the 2021 Lexus RC 300 still gets a V6 engine. The modern RC is also a handsome coupe with sleek styling and an upgraded chassis with good handling. However, compared to the Lexus RC, the 2021 Audi A5 Coupe is a much better all-rounder with its more efficient powertrain, well-equipped cabin, and a long equipment list. The Audi also feels a lot more modern with better practicality thanks to usable rear seats. 

Although the A5 is one of the oldest models in its class, Audi has updated it significantly over the years with plenty of modern equipment and sharp styling that still looks handsome. The new powertrain offers better performance with equally good handling. However, the interior is still not as good as its rivals, cargo space is limited, and the 2021 A5 can get expensive with some optional packages. Audi does offer plenty of standard features with the A5 Coupe with plenty more available as options. If you’re on the lookout for an all-rounder luxury coupe, the 2021 Audi A5 should be strongly considered.