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2009 Audi A5 Review

December 20, 2008

STYLING | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

elegance you'd expect to be parked in front of a casino
Car and Driver

slinky sheet metal
Edmunds

handsome, fun-to-drive, and oozes class and refinement
Car and Driver

The Audi A5 shares most of its underpinnings with the 2009 Audi A4 sedan, but its sheetmetal is completely different. The S5 (covered in a separate review at TheCarConnection.com) is very similar but appeals to a different kind of buyer, with its edgier, more flamboyant styling and V-8 power.

Various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com state that pictures of the A5 don't do the design justice—it looks even better in person—and most rave about its proportions and detail.

Automobile Magazine states the A5 "is elegantly handsome and more emotional in form than previous Audis." The 2009 A5 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." Car and Driver feels the 2009 Audi A5 has something for everyone: "Mature proportions [that] will please the dandy, sate the sports-car enthusiast, and offend no one." 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." 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." Automobile Magazine has named the 2009 A5 its "Design of the Year."

With high-grade materials and plenty of attention to small design details, the interior of the 2009 Audi A5 feels lavish and luxurious. Automobile Magazine remarks, "when you open the door [you] find one of the best interiors offered today, for any car at any price." The display screen for Audi's MMI (now a stand-alone option) dominates the top of the instrument panel; MMI is used to access many of the functions for audio and climate control functions. ConsumerGuide reports that the interior is "more sporty than luxurious," while Automobile Magazine says it retains "a classy driving environment—functional and comfortable, cool but not overstyled." Real materials are used to decorate the cabin: wood, leather, and aluminum. For 2009, what Audi calls "aluminum hologram inlays" are available as a no-cost option.

Conclusion

The 2009 Audi A5 is another example of Audi's evolution toward design that evokes emotion and lust. It's not ostentatious but still conveys power and luxury.

STYLING | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:elegance you'd expect to be parked in front of a casinoCar and Driverslinky sheet metalEdmundshandsome, fun-to-drive, and oozes class and refinementCar and Driver The Audi A5 shares most of its underpinnings with the 2009 Audi A4 sedan, but its sheetmetal is completely different. The S5 (covered in a separate review at TheCarConnection.com) is very similar but appeals to a different kind of buyer, with its edgier, more flamboyant styling and V-8 power. Various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com state that pictures of the A5 don't do the design justice—it looks even better in person—and most rave about its proportions and detail. Automobile Magazine states the A5 "is elegantly handsome and more emotional in form than previous Audis." The 2009 A5 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." Car and Driver feels the 2009 Audi A5 has something for everyone: "Mature proportions [that] will please the dandy, sate the sports-car enthusiast, and offend no one." 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." 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." Automobile Magazine has named the 2009 A5 its "Design of the Year." With high-grade materials and plenty of attention to small design details, the interior of the 2009 Audi A5 feels lavish and luxurious. Automobile Magazine remarks, "when you open the door [you] find one of the best interiors offered today, for any car at any price." The display screen for Audi's MMI (now a stand-alone option) dominates the top of the instrument panel; MMI is used to access many of the functions for audio and climate control functions. ConsumerGuide reports that the interior is "more sporty than luxurious," while Automobile Magazine says it retains "a classy driving environment—functional and comfortable, cool but not overstyled." Real materials are used to decorate the cabin: wood, leather, and aluminum. For 2009, what Audi calls "aluminum hologram inlays" are available as a no-cost option. ConclusionThe 2009 Audi A5 is another example of Audi's evolution toward design that evokes emotion and lust. It's not ostentatious but still conveys power and luxury.  2009 AUDI A5 STYLING | [10 out of 10] Car and Driver: "elegance you'd expect to be parked in front of a casino" Edmunds: "slinky sheet metal" Car and Driver: "handsome, fun-to-drive, and oozes class and refinement" The Audi A5 shares most of its underpinnings with the 2009 Audi A4 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Audi A5 has a very understated appearance, as do several of its peers like the 3 Series and CLK-Class, but the A5's interior is more stylish and inviting, and the 3 Series’ interior is a bit more conservative. The Infiniti G37 Coupe has a firm ride and sharp steering, like that of the 3 Series, but it's not quite as comfortable as either coupe, and its interior can be noisy. The 3 Series has nimbler handling than the A5, and the base 328i accelerates almost as quickly as the A5's only engine, but the A5 has a roomier trunk than the 3 Series or other rivals. The CLK has the most dated appearance of these three, in a fickle portion of the market where it counts to be seen in what’s newest.

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See the Audi A5 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (4 total)

  1. By  Truck trader #2, Posted: 3/19/2009

    Audi car

    My 2003 A4 did everything I asked of it for the four years I had it. It was far more reliable than my BMWs,and much easier to live with than the C43.(16 sparkplugs)

  2. By  Truck trader #3, Posted: 3/19/2009

    Audi car

    It sure is gorgeous. But that’s where the good stuff ends.
    With front wheel drive and dodgy handling, it’s basically a fancy looking Accord coupe that costs $20K more.

  3. By Geos Autos #4, Posted: 10/3/2009

    Never, EVER, compare Audi to Honda

  4. By willis #5, Posted: 10/17/2009

    seriously... especially when you have no idea what you're talking about. The A5 isn't even available in fwd.

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