Audi A5 Cabriolet review by TopGear
Refined, versatile, handsome...and slightly characterless. Very neat
Possibly a little firm given the pretention to basking along - especially on the lowered sports suspension option - and there's a bit of a draught when you don't have the wind deflector in place. Problem with that is that you either have breezy motoring with the kids or cover up the back seats with the deflector and go solo or parents-only. The ‘acoustic' hood works well at all but eliminating wind noise as well. Other than that you'll be better with the larger engines simply because they work less hard and generally pleased because this is one sorted soft-top.
You get the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines, and a pair of diesel engines in 2.0-litre flavour (173bhp and 200bhp) and 3.0-litre (240bhp). That last engine mated to quattro hits 62mph in just 6.3 seconds, while returning 47.9mpg.
In the right spec, with the right driver, this could be one of the coolest ‘normal' cars of the year. Still manages to be understated yet quite flash - a hard trick to pull off.
It's quite dull to keep re-iterating the point, but Audi really does pay attention to the quality and build of its cars. The A5 Cabriolet is no exception - even the ‘acoustic' fabric hood really does work and there's a measure of tactility that is missing even on other ‘premium' marques.
Does everything competently enough, and there's a general feel of engineering integrity built into the car's DNA. Expect a slightly jiggly ride, though one compounded with lots of grip and agility, especially the quattro versions.
Even if it starts to rain when you're on the move, you can raise or lower the fabric hood at speeds up to 30mph. That makes the A5 Cab more practical for the UK at least, where extended periods of ‘shine are hen's teeth. There's also genuine space for four and their luggage, even if getting in through the two-door only aperture can be a bit of a faff with the roof up.
The big diesel will get over 45mpg, the smaller petrol a touch more, and insurance isn't bad on the lower cars (but beware the S5). Residuals are predicted to be strong, and servicing average. Pretty much as you expected, then.
Article source: www.topgear.com