Audi is one of the leading automotive brands in the world. The German automaker has a great pedigree of manufacturing some iconic cars and dominating various classes in motorsport through great innovations over its lifetime. The automaker’s product range of premium and luxury models seems endless. But there are a few that are the most popular amongst buyers. The Audi A4 and A5 are built on the same platform, cost nearly as much the same, follow the same design language, and offer a similar amount of equipment. They are essentially the same car.
However, there are significant differences. One leans towards understated elegance, the other a crouching tiger ready to pounce. They each have their distinct characteristics. Because of such a level of similarities, consumers find themselves with a difficult choice. “Should I but the A4 or the A5?”
We attempt to dissect the Audi A4 and Audi A5 models and provide the pros and cons of both cars. Hopefully, by the end, we can provide a clearer distinction, so you can make your decision between the two.
Update April 2022: This article was updated with more information about the Audi A4 and A5 models.
Audi A4 Vs A5: The Key Differences
The Audi A4 arrived in 1994 as a replacement for the Audi 80. The automaker has introduced four generations, with the latest generation arriving as early as 2015. The fourth-gen model has seen the longest production life of any A4 generation, spanning nearly nine years. The Audi A5 was introduced in 2007 witnessing two generations. The A5 was Audi’s idea of adding flair and athleticism to the largely unvarying persona of the A4. It is why the A4 is a traditional sedan or wagon, while the A5 is offered in three body styles — two-door coupe, five-door Sportback, and convertible.
Current generation models of the A4 and A5 are based on Audi’s MLB Evo platform. Despite the varying body style differences, the common platform mean they both share quite a lot between them.
The interior in both the A4 and the A5 are largely the same, with similar infotainment systems and design. However, the A5 rides a little lower with an aggressive stance, and the sloping roofline of the Sportback is the icing on the cake. The A4 on the other hand offers a traditional step-down rear-end styling.
Both these sedans offer the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine in the base trims and produce 261 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Level up to the S4 and S5, Audi will throw in a turbo 3.0-liter V6. This motor makes 349 horsepower and 369-lb-ft. The RS5 performance model takes it a step further with a 2.9-liter V6 that makes 444 ponies and 442 lb-ft of twist force. For the Audi RS5, 0-62mph takes a mere 3.8 seconds.
Pros And Cons Of The Audi A4
The engine is the highlight of this luxury sedan. The peppy motor thrills the driver on the roads. The Inline-4 pot is not only responsive but frugal, which gets all the support from the Quattro AWD that guarantees confidence in any road conditions. Audi has ensured that this luxury sedan is a good family vehicle that can seat four people easily to either ferry around town or munch miles on the freeways in the lap of luxury.
Apart from the strikingly eye-catching exteriors, the cabin is primed with high-quality materials all around. All the technology in the vehicle is smart and intuitive with great user compatibility. In the rear, the climate vents in the center offer great comfort to the rear occupants, the legroom in the rear is decent but can accommodate enough to seat two adults over six feet tall.
However, the A4 isn’t without its faults. The biggest con we feel is the price point of the A4. The base variant may be available at just under $40,000, but with optional features, it can go up to $55,000. Also, the top-of-the-line Prestige trim costs much higher than other competitors. The A4 could do with more passive safety features to reassure customers of the lower trims. Finally, the steering wheel of the A4 is light and easy to operate, but lacks feedback or feel on the road, making it a little nerve-racking at high speeds. This is highlighted even more when compared to its direct rivals like the BMW 3 Series.
Pros And Cons Of The A5
The five-door A5 Sportback model is quite possibly the nicest looking car in its segment. The frameless doors, the sloping roof, and the aggressive stance is difficult to ignore on the streets. The hatch-style trunk door allows for more luggage space and easy access. Furthermore, it comes with extra bells and whistles as standard that are options on the A4.
Since the A4 is already quite expensive, the A5 asks for a premium over it. Prices for the A5 Sportback start at $44,000 and can climb up to $60,000 when fully loaded. The other issue is the result of its sleek styling. The sloping roofline robs quite a bit of headroom for rear passengers, and the low ride height makes ingress and egress more difficult.
Audi A4 Vs A5: The Better Half
A question that most people have while pitting the Audi A4 against the A5 Sportback. We can't form a unanimous opinion on this question. But to help you understand, the A4 is a much better family car with great space and budget-friendly economics, however the A5 appeals to the buyers that want something with extra pizzazz. Both these sedans are wonderful in our books, with the better option coming down to personal choices.