2019 Audi A5 Sportback

With a base price of $45,195, the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback offers a perfect blend of practicality, fun, and luxury. The car is available in 3 trims- Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. In the segment, the A5 rivals the likes of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan, the 2019 BMW 3-Series Sedan, and the 2019 Genesis G70.

The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback is available in 3 trim levels- Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The Premium being the base trim will cost you $45,195. Despite being the base trim, it comes quite loaded with features and luxuries. Some of the features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay Android Auto, leather upholstered seats, 8-way power-adjustable front seats with heated functionality, and a 10-speaker audio system are all standard on this trim. A few driver-assist features like a Blind-spot monitoring system and rear parking sensors can be availed by choosing the Convenience package.

Spending a few thousand more will fetch you the Premium Plus trim. It costs $49,595 and adds on a few more features to the ones existing on the Premium trim. It is fitted with a bigger 8.3-inch touchscreen display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, navigation system, front and rear parking sensors, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, handwriting recognition, etc.

If you think that the Premium Plus is loaded, then wait till you hear what the Prestige trim has in store for you. It’ll cost you about $53,295 and even after adding packages, it’ll still cost around $57,000 which is lesser than what its rivals ask for their top-end trims. It is equipped with several driver-assist features that are not available on the lower trims. They are- surround-view parking camera system, automatic high-beam headlights, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and a park assist system. Along with that, it is equipped with an extravagant 19-speaker Bose audio system, headlight washers, etc.

Which Trim should you buy?

Although the base Premium trim offers adequate features and options, we feel that the Premium Plus is a much better buy. A little extra of your money will add on a lot of worthy, cool features which you can brag about.

The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback engine is a better and tuned-up version of the same 2.0L Intercooled turbocharged Inline-4 unit from the previous year. It produces more power and torque than the predecessor which helps it achieve an increase in top speed. The motor can dish out 248 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and a max torque output of 273 at 1,600 RPM. These figures might not sound like a lot but is capable enough for day-to-day drives as well as some spirited driving sessions out on the highway.

The standard transmission on the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback is a 7-speed automatic S Tronic Dual-Clutch transmission that shifts in an imperceptible manner. This engine and transmission combo drive all four wheels of the car thanks to the legendary Quattro system. The motor allows the car to hit 60mph in just 5.7 seconds and does a quarter-mile run in just under 15 seconds. 

The car with the most powerful engine is the 2019 BMW 3-Series Sedan churning out a whooping 295 lb-ft of torque. It may generate more torque than that of the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback but the latter is much faster than the Beemer. The car which is the fastest to 60mph is the 2019 Genesis G70 taking only 5.2 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz C Class is then slowest to hit 60mph and complete the quarter-mile run but has a similar torque figure and more horsepower than the A5 Sportback.

How well does the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback handle?

The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback handles like a pro. It is calm and composed in normal city driving and soaks in the bumps with ease. The strut front and multi-link rear type suspension are also responsible for minimizing body roll to a factor where it is barely noticeable. In harsh conditions, the car reacts cleverly and intuitively. 

The steering is perfectly weighted and is adequately responsive too. The Quattro AWD drivetrain gives it a raunchy feel when you floor the gas pedal. This kind of dual personality is seldom seen in cars and especially among their rivals. We have no complaints when it comes to the driving experience of the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback.

Braking Performance

As the engine received an upgrade it was necessary to provide upgrades for the brakes of the A5 Sportback as well. Both front and rear brake rotors measure 13-inches and the brakes offer solid performance. The brakes are highly responsive and stop the car at an admirable distance of just 117ft, a lot better than its rivals. Some driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and ABS with electronic stability control help you to stop the car more safely.

The Audi A5 is the heaviest among the lot but it also has the biggest brake rotors. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, being the lightest by a fair margin, has a slight advantage over the others in terms of braking performance but still takes 133ft to come to a halt. The BMW 3 Series sedan trails the A5 closely with its stopping distance of 123 ft.

Despite its heavy curb weight, the 2.0L engine provides good mileage. The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback fuel economy is rated at 23mpg in cities, 34mpg on the highways, and a combined fuel economy of 27mpg. These are some pretty good numbers for a car that dishes out an impressive performance as well. The 15.3-gallon tank fitted in the Audi has the least capacity when compared to its rivals hence affecting the range.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Audi A5 Sportback have identical fuel economies but the factor which gives the Merc the lead is its big 17.4-gallon tank. The BMW 3 Series has the best fuel economy numbers but still can’t match the C Class in terms of overall driving range owing to its smaller gas tank.

The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback interior makes use of high-quality materials throughout, has a sleek modern setup, fantastic finish, and numerous high-end features. Starting with the seats, which are super comfortable and have a luxurious feel to them thanks to the leather upholstery. The front seats are 8-way power adjustable with heated functionality. Due to the sloping roofline of the A5 Sportback, the rear seats have compromised a bit of headroom and legroom. However, there’s ample headroom and legroom in the front seats.

The attention to detail is immaculate. The dashboard and center console comprise some of the best switchgear, soft-touch materials, and leather trims. The cargo space behind the rear seats is impressive. With the seats up there’s a massive 21.8 cu-ft of space which is excellent for the segment.

Although the numbers suggest that the interior dimensions are very close between all the 4 cars mentioned above, we feel that being a Sportback, the Audi A5 does well in this section. The Genesis G70 offers the most room in the front seats.

Standout interior features:

• Leather upholstered seats
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats with heated functionality
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tri-Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Piano black/chrome interior accents

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Based on the trim you opt for you’ll either get a 7.0-inch touchscreen display or an 8.3-inch display. The system offers crisp graphics and is filled with most of the modern infotainment features. The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display option available on the Premium Plus trim takes this experience to a whole new level.

The 7.0-inch display can be controlled using a click-wheel mounted on the center console. Some of the features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker audio system. The 8.3-inch system adds features like navigation and Virtual Cockpit display which is configurable. Opting for the top-tier trim, Prestige will fetch you some amazing features- an upgraded navigation system and a cinema hall-like quality 19-speaker Bose audio system.

Standout infotainment features:

• HD Radio
• 10-speaker audio system
• Navigation (Premium Plus)
• 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display (available)
• Wireless charging pad (Premium Plus)

The exterior of the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback is simply beautiful. Its blend of the A4’s wheelbase and 4 door style, the sloping roofline of the A5 coupe, designs based on its sibling A7, and the huge hatchback liftgate, making it an attractive looking 5-door car. The front fascia is lower and more aggressive. The sporty sculpted hood, large but flatter hexagonal grille, the iconic 4 ring logo of Audi, mean-looking DRLs, and fog light housing and air dams is a sick combination that enhances the look of the car.

The side profile definitely has that wow factor to it. A 4-door styled coupe is going to turn heads for sure. Curvy body lines, a low ground clearance of only 5.0 inches, multi-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheels, and the eye-catching sloping roofline characterize the side view of the car. In accordance with the aggressive-looking front fascia, the rear end means business. The updated LED brake lights, rear lip spoiler, dual chrome tip exhaust outlets, and sporty rear bumper add to the sporty-sedan vibe that the A5 Sportback has. All in all, the exterior of this car is one of its strong points.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has a lower than average ground clearance for a luxury sedan. The BMW 3 Series sedan has the maximum wheelbase among the rivals here. The Genesis G70 is the widest one among the rivals and has the maximum ground clearance as well.

Standout exterior features:

• Daytime running Auto High Beam Assist LED headlights
• Power liftgate
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• LED brake lights
• Panoramic sunroof

Audi has a big collection of safety features offered on the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback, which helps it to do incredibly well in crash test analysis. The NHTSA has given it a full 5-star rating and the IIHS has awarded it a “Good” overall score. Both are the highest scores possible in their respective associations. Multiple driver-assist features and safety features make sure that the car and the passengers inside are extremely safe. 

Standout safety features:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning with lane keep assist (available)
• Adaptive cruise control (available)
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Self-park assist (only on Prestige trim)
• Front and rear parking sensors (Premium Plus)
• Tire pressure monitoring system

2019 Audi A5 Sportback vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan

Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for building one of the most composed cars with great comfort and high-end performance. The C-Class is definitely one of those cars at a comparatively affordable base price tag. Both the cars are equipped with the same size engines and produce almost identical performance numbers. The section where the Audi has an upper hand is exterior and interior styling. We would prefer the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback, in spite of its comparatively higher price.

2019 Audi A5 Sportback vs 2019 BMW 3-Series Sedan

The Bimmer is probably Audi's closest rival. The 3-Series sedan has a lot going for it. It has the most powerful engine among the 4 cars taken up for comparison and still manages to produce the best fuel economy as well. The trunk space which it offers is also the best in class. Exterior and interior are where it loses to the Audi. The A5 Sportback has a premium quality interior quite unmatched by any of its rivals and it also has the best driving experience. These two factors matter a lot to the buyers and might lean more towards the Audi instead of the BMW.

2019 Audi A5 Sportback vs 2019 Genesis G70

If budget is an issue for you, then the 2019 Genesis G70 should be on your list. At a base price of just $36,900, it competes with the German giants and does a good job in doing so. Higher trim levels of the G70 offer a whole lot better than the base trim which includes a 3.3L V6 engine. As far as all-around performance goes, the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback is an easy choice over the 2019 Genesis G70.

The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback is one hell of a car. It has the right amount of power to be a composed car on city streets and nothing short of a loose animal on stretches and curves. It has one of the best ride quality and handling in this segment and also has a luxurious, high-tech interior far better than its rivals. Although it is priced higher at a base level than its competitors, its overall performance truly stands out.