2008 Audi A5

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By  Bengt Halvorson, Editor

2008 Audi A5
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 2008 AUDI A5 STYLING | [9 out of 10]

Automobile: "alters the Audi look"
Car and Driver: "elegance you'd expect to be parked in front of a casino"
Cars.com: "instantly recognizable as an Audi"
Edmunds: "curvaceous yet muscular"
Jalopnik: "the A5 does look simply smashing in black"
Kelley Blue Book: "Elegant design inside and out"

The 2008 Audi A5 is an all-new mid-size sporty coupe that shares most of its mechanical underpinnings with the upcoming 2009 Audi A4 sedan. The S5 is very similar but appeals to a different kind of buyer, with its edgier, more flamboyant styling and V-8 power; it’s covered in a separate review at TheCarConnection.com.

To look at the 2008 Audi A5, it's difficult to believe that it's considered entry level. It is what chief Audi stylist Walter de Silva deems "the most beautiful car I have ever designed," and it had a Jalopnik reviewer drooling when he caught a glimpse of it on a California highway, calling it “simply smashing.” Cars.com observes, “With piercing, downward-slanting headlamps, the A5's nose has something of a furrowed brow.”

Edmunds calls it “curvaceous yet muscular,” while Cars.com says it’s “instantly recognizable as an Audi.” Car and Driver feels the 2008 Audi A5 has something for everyone: "Mature proportions [that] will please the dandy, sate the sports-car enthusiast, and offend no one." Kelley Blue Book concurs that the A5 is “elegant” inside and out. ForbesAutos declares the A5’s “wide shoulder lines, high beltline and massive trapezoidal front grille” are a success, and that its back end kicks up subtly to “preserve a clean aesthetic.” The overall look “strikes a balance between timeless elegance and dramatic flair.”

Inside, the 2008 Audi A5 feels lavish and luxurious, with high-grade materials and plenty of attention to small design details. The display screen for Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) dominates the top of the instrument panel; MMI is used to access many of the functions for audio and climate control functions.
The interior is "more sporty than luxurious," according to ConsumerGuide, but retains "a classy driving environment--functional and comfortable, cool but not overstyled,” Automobile observes.

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A5 rakes the road with a distinctive, subtly gorgeous shape and a modern, well-fitted cabin.

2008 AUDI A5 PERFORMANCE | [7 out of 10]

Automobile: "the new Audi is the start of something good"
Cars.com: "the A5 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 6 seconds"
Edmunds: "strong performance"
Washington Post: "seductively powerful"

Though it’s short of the V-8 urge found in its high-performance S5 cousin, the 2008 Audi A5 entertains casual and enthusiast drivers with V-6 power and a choice of gearboxes, not to mention good handling.

A 265-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 powers the 2008 Audi A5 with authority; its performance isn't especially responsive, but it's very smooth and refined and can push the A5 to 60 mph in about six seconds. The Washington Post describes the A5’s demeanor as "smooth, gentle, yet powerful." Edmunds says “the spirited V6 provides likewise eager response,” though ForbesAutos contends “the A5 doesn’t necessarily feel like a high-performance coupe.”

A six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission is offered; the engine actually works very well with the automatic, executing quick, decisive downshifts. The Washington Post applauds the "silky six-speed automatic transmission." Most reviewers tried the manual. Motor Trend reports that while the gearing of the six-speed transmission is "well matched" to the powerplant, the shifter is "somewhat clunky," with an unfortunate tendency to hang between first and third; it "generally felt a bit remote and disconnected from the mechanism it controls." Edmunds thinks “the manual transmission's shifter has somewhat long, but light-effort throws with firm engagement.” ForbesAutos observes the manual “felt imprecise moving the gears, especially compared to that of the BMW 3 Series.”

For all its power, the 2008 Audi A5 drinks up at a reasonable pace; it’s rated at 27 mpg highway, 18 mpg city. It does require more expensive, premium-grade gasoline, however.

Tuned more for ride quality than aggressive handling capability, the 2008 Audi A5 isn't especially exciting to drive, but steering is crisp and communicative, with a secure feel on the highway. Cars.com says, “Quattro all-wheel drive is standard; in normal conditions, it channels 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels.” Even with the added weight of AWD, ForbesAutos says, “When pushing the A5 through quick turns, it feels heavier and less agile than the BMW 3 Series. But there is little body roll and the A5 stays planted, yet the ride is never harsh.” ConsumerGuide notes "sharp bumps can register with a jolt," but acknowledges that it's comfortable enough for long road trips. An S-Line option package brings stiffer suspension settings and promises to make the A5 sprightlier in the curves.

Conclusion: Smooth V-6 power and relaxed all-wheel-drive handling are strengths of the 2008 Audi A5.

2008 AUDI A5 COMFORT AND QUALITY | [8 out of 10]

Automobile: "functional and comfortable"
Edmunds: "seats offer all-day touring comfort and good support"
Motor Trend: "sport seats...embrace occupants [like] Dr. Heimlich"

The 2008 Audi A5 makes a sacrifice or two for its beautiful exterior styling. Rear-seat room suffers—but quality, emphatically, does not. Front seats are among the best of any coupe its size, with plenty of support and generous padding. Motor Trend says the "sport seats...embrace occupants [like] Dr. Heimlich." Edmunds notes the "seats offer all-day touring comfort and good support," though TheCarConnection.com observes that headroom is tight for adults who carry their height in the torso. ConsumerGuide felt it was "difficult to find a comfortable driving position" behind the wheel due to a high beltline and high windows.

Rear seats are difficult to get into and too tight for adults, with scant legroom and very limiting headroom. Edmunds reports that unless you're fairly short, you won't enjoy riding in the backseat--a fairly common problem with two-door sport coupes that (ostensibly) seat four passengers.

Due to the high beltline that swoops around the back of the 2008 Audi A5, trunk space is surprisingly ample; it's as large as that of most mid-size sedans. “The trunk offers 16.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity (large for a sedan, let alone a coupe),” Edmunds adds, “and the rear seat flips down to accommodate more, if need be.”

Audi’s stellar reputation for interior quality follows suit in the A5 coupe. “Audi’s interior designers must be descendants of fine watchmakers: They share an obsession for extreme precision and detail,” ForbesAutos proclaims. “Typically Audi, the A5's cabin impresses with finely stitched leather, impeccable fit and finish and real wood trim (aluminum with the S-line package),” Edmunds notes. Cars.com points out “the A5 has an extensive range of materials to choose from, including two-tone leather/Alcantara seats and aluminum, wood or piano-black dashboard trim.” Automobile says it’s "virtually impossible not to be impressed by this cockpit."

Conclusion: The 2008 Audi A5 has an exceptional interior with great room and comfort up front; the rear seats are no place for adults.

2008 AUDI A5 SAFETY | [8 out of 10]

Cars.com: "Six standard airbags...antilock brakes, traction control...standard"
Consumer Guide: "ABS, traction control, an antiskid system"
Edmunds: "Antilock brakes, stability and traction control...all standard"

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the 2008 Audi A5.

However, the Audi A5 does have a long list of standard safety gear. “Antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags all come standard,” Edmunds reports.

Conclusion: Audi has incorporated the most current safety features into the A5 at no extra charge; if you're in the market for this type of vehicle, embrace it.

2008 AUDI A5 FEATURES | [9 out of 10]

Cars.com: "an extensive range of materials to choose from"
ConsumerGuide: "unique styling cues"
Motor Trend: "14 speakers...10 channels...505 watts of Carnegie Hall fidelity"

The 2008 Audi A5 comes with an array of standard features and some high-tech, high-dollar options that range from amazing to annoying.

Three-zone automatic climate control, an intelligent key system, and a 10-speaker sound system with SD memory card slot are among the standard features. One "glaring omission" from this list, ConsumerGuide feels, is that the tilting, telescoping steering wheel has no power assist.

“The company's MMI (Multi Media Interface) multifunction controller works the audio, climate and (if equipped) navigation systems,” Edmunds says. “Unlike its German rivals, however, Audi's controller is mostly intuitive and easy to use once you clear the still-steep learning curve.” Cars.com finds it remains a hurdle for new owners: “Thanks to more than a dozen shortcut buttons surrounding the knob, it's easier to use than BMW's similar iDrive, but uninitiated drivers may find it confusing.”

Standout options on the 2008 Audi A5 include a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, which ForbesAutos guarantees “will blow you away with clear mid-range and heart-pounding bass. Plus, the B&O speakers look classy and modern with aluminum surrounds.” There’s also a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a technology package that includes adaptive headlamps, rear parking sensors, and a keyless ignition system. A sunroof is offered, but Motor Trend recommends that shorter people pass on this, as it only tilts--it doesn't roll back like that of BMW vehicles.

Conclusion: Those who are looking for a full array of the latest high-tech add-ons should find no reason to complain about the 2008 Audi A5.