The Audi A5 debuted for the 2008 model year as a premium two-door coupe. It was based on the bones of the popular A4 sedan but had sleeker styling and slightly sharper dynamics. With its stout V6 engine and quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system programmed to deliver a slight rear bias, the A5 coupe was well equipped to compete with rivals such as the BMW 3 Series Coupe, Infiniti G37, and Mercedes-Benz CLK.
Over time, the A5 range expanded to include four-cylinder models and soft-top convertibles. Buyers looking for powerful performance along with fashionable looks were directed to the sportier S5 model that had a lot more power under the hood.
The first-generation A5 received a facelift for the 2013 model year, but bigger things came for 2018 as Audi released the second-generation A5 in coupe, convertible, and five-door Sportback forms.
The third-generation A5 arrived in 2025, marking a shift in strategy as it was reborn as a five-door hatchback that replaced the A4 sedan. Throughout its production run from 2008 to today, the Audi A5 has been a stylish luxury machine with a sporty look and premium feel.
Audi A5 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Audi A5 years are the best?
First-generation Audi A5 models powered by the 3.2-litre V6 engine have proved more reliable than those powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine. Second-generation A5s from 2019 through 2024 have also been generally reliable. J.D. Power rates reliability of the second-generation A5 as average, but the latest third-generation A5 models (2025 to present) are too new to have received any reliability scores.
Which Audi A5 years are the worst?
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2011 model year has more problems than any other, and that coincides with the year Audi dropped the V6 engine in favour of the four-cylinder unit. Owners of first-generation 2011 to 2017 A5 models with four-cylinder engines have complained of excessive oil consumption, which can be very expensive to address. First-year teething problems aren’t uncommon with the second-generation models with the 2018 model year A5 having more issues than subsequent years.
How much does a late-model Audi A5 cost?
According to CarGurus pricing data, a one-year-old 2025 Audi A5 averages around $50,000 in Canada, while a three-year-old 2023 model averages about $40,000. Shoppers willing to consider a lightly used example can save meaningfully over the cost of a new A5.
Is a used Audi A5 a good deal?
First-generation Audi A5 models with V6 engines (which means 2008 to 2010) are now hard to find in Canada, but they could be an attractive proposition for shoppers looking for a stylish European car for less than $13,000. Those buyers should ensure there’s room in their budget for maintenance and repair costs, which will be higher for an Audi than for an American or a Japanese car. While the second-generation A5 doesn’t stand out as a particularly good deal on the used car market, a well-cared-for example should provide its owner with a premium driving experience. High initial depreciation makes the third generation a good deal for those with a bigger budget.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multiple body styles
- Stylish design
- Premium interior
Cons:
- Pedestrian performance
- Cramped back seat in coupe models
- Outdated technology in older models
Audi A5 Generations
Audi A5 Third Generation (2025–Present)
The third and current generation of the Audi A5 debuted for the 2025 model year, though it was sold alongside the second-generation A5 Sportback for the first half of the year. With coupe sales dwindling in the face of continued pressure from crossover SUVs and more practical sedans, Audi did not renew the coupe or convertible body styles for its third generation. Instead, the new A5 was produced solely in Audi’s Sportback five-door hatchback style, though the Sportback term has, somewhat confusingly, been left off the third-gen model.
With more room, Audi’s latest technology, and a new version of its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with meaningful boosts in horsepower and torque, the latest A5 easily stands out as the one with the widest appeal of any generation. And that makes sense because Audi now expects the A5 to fill the role of the discontinued A4 sedan.
There's more room inside the redesigned A5 than inside the second-generation version thanks to an increase in size. The wheelbase is 67 millimetres longer and the exterior is 68 mm longer, 15 mm wider, and 50 mm taller than the old A5 Sportback. The hatchback tailgate gives easy access to 640 litres of cargo space (or up to 1,026 litres with the rear seat folded down), which compares well with the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CT4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
A 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is the only available engine in the latest Audi A5. It's aided by a 48-volt hybrid system and generates 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque — increases of 67 hp and 59 lb-ft over the outgoing model’s base engine. Power is sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to standard AWD.
The third-generation Audi A5 has a stiffer chassis than the version it replaced. Combined with similarly stiffened suspension components, the changes result in excellent handling. A traditional steel suspension setup is standard, while adaptive dampers are available as an extra-cost option. The S5 pairs a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder that makes 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque with the same seven-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive.
Inside, the third-generation A5 features loads of fancy technology. Audi’s so-called Digital Stage dominates the dashboard with a standard 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit and a 14.5-inch MMI central touchscreen display. An additional 10.9-inch MMI display for the front passenger extends the digital screens all the way across the dashboard. A head-up display that projects useful information directly onto the windshield is also available.
A feature called the Audi Assistant is an “AI-powered adaptive voice control that understands natural language.” It allows the driver to perform tasks such as altering the climate control or using the navigation system.
In Canada, Audi offers the 2026 A5 in three trim levels, starting with the base model that, at the time of writing, started at $62,160 (including destination). Standard features include LED headlights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. A solid suite of safety equipment is also standard including forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist.
For $66,810, the A5 Progressiv adds multicolour ambient lighting, a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound, a variable light control glass roof, and a head-up display.
At the top of the range is the A5 Technik that carries an MSRP of $69,610. Audi’s excellent Matrix Design headlamps, heated rear seats, a 3D overhead camera view, and the extra 10.9-inch passenger screen make the Technik feel like a fully loaded luxury sedan. The Comfort Interior package adds ventilated front seats and retractable rear-window sunshades, while available standalone options include adaptive dampers, a dashcam, headrest speakers, and carbon fibre mirror caps.
The 2026 Audi A5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest possible ranking. It earned top marks from the IIHS in both its crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation tests.
Used prices for the earliest third-generation models show that depreciation hits hard. CarGurus.ca pricing data indicates low-kilometre examples start from roughly $45,000, representing a saving of about $17,000 on the current new price.
Audi A5 Second Generation (2018–2024)
Audi completely redesigned the A5 for the 2018 model year. In addition to the coupe and convertible (or Cabriolet in Audi-speak) variants of the first generation, a new five-door hatchback arrived that Audi called the A5 Sportback. Like the larger A7 that preceded it, the A5 Sportback looked sleek and stylish, and its sloping roofline opened up to reveal a generous cargo area. Naturally, the coupe (with its 340-litre trunk) wasn’t as practical as the Sportback, and the convertible lost around 85 litres of trunk space due to its folding soft top.
All 2018 Audi A5 models were powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sent power to all four wheels via Audi’s rear-biased quattro AWD system. The A5 Coupe was the only version offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Buyers looking for more power could opt for the Audi S5 and its 354-hp turbocharged V6 engine.
Inside, all 2018 A5 variants featured steering-wheel paddle shifters, three-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting. A 7-inch infotainment display came standard in A5 Komfort models, while an 8.3-inch unit was equipped in the Progressiv and Technik trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard in the second-gen A5.
The 2018 Audi A5 received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-out-of-five-star rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For 2019, the manual transmission, which had previously been offered solely in the coupe body style, was dropped altogether. An exterior styling refresh debuted for 2020, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen replaced the older infotainment system that same year.
Audi reworked the A5’s turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant for the 2021 model year, adding a mild hybrid system that boosted horsepower by 13 hp to bring the total to 261 hp. The Komfort trim level was dropped for 2022, and wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard for 2023. The 2024 model year brought extra standard driver assistance tech such as adaptive cruise control and a lane assist function, and the Sportback received a new sport suspension.
Prices for second-generation Audi A5s average around $20,000 to $27,000 for cars built in 2018 to 2020 according to CarGurus.ca pricing data with some outliers for exceptionally low odometer readings. Costs quickly balloon to more than $30,000 for 2022 models. Such averages aren’t far from those of the BMW 3 Series sedan and 4 Series coupe, which has long served as the benchmark for this class of cars.
Audi A5 First Generation (2008–2017)
The 2008 Audi A5 was launched as a coupe based on the popular A4 sedan. Primary competitors included the BMW 3 Series Coupe (later named 4 Series in coupe form) and the Mercedes-Benz CLK. The A5’s handsome looks were backed up with real performance courtesy of Audi’s 265-hp 3.2-litre V6 engine and quattro AWD that sent more torque to the rear wheels than the front. Both manual and automatic transmissions were offered.
With a wheelbase that was slightly longer than the A4 sedan’s, the first-generation Audi A5 provided decent room inside for four occupants, while a 455-litre trunk was generous for a coupe.
When the A5 launched in 2008, it came in one trim level. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and a power sunroof. On-board navigation and a Bang & Olufsen audio system were optional. An S-Line Package arrived for 2009 that gave the A5 a sportier exterior and added aluminum accents to the interior.
A new A5 Cabriolet gave buyers a soft-top A5 variant in 2010. That same year, a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder base engine delivered 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. While the V6 remained available, it was offered solely with an automatic transmission. A year later, the V6 was off the menu entirely, leaving the four-cylinder as the only engine offered in the A5. For 2011, it featured a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD.
The 2013 Audi A5 received a refresh that brought new exterior styling. For 2014, the four-cylinder engine was bumped to 220 hp. Ten years into its run, production of the first-generation Audi A5 ended for the 2017 model year.
According to CarGurus.ca pricing data, it's possible to pick up the earliest A5 models for $12,000 or less. The newest, high-end first-generation models top out at about $23,000.
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