2018 Audi A5 Sportback review from Family Wheels

[@1981Colbourne]

I have this identical car in metallic grey. I've been an Audi guy for a long time and this is by far, my favorite vehicle.

[@zig9260]

I am really looking forward to this car this summer :D cant wait to be honest

[@adamegbaria5475]

any update on reliability?

[@yourdailylight7642]

This review confirmed my choice of getting an A5 with my wife as we begin life together. For a growing family!! Thanks

[@thomasloomis8995]

Thank you for this very honest review! The exact information I was looking for (driver spaciousness, 2nd row room for car seats, trunk space). I thought A5 sportback might be on the cramped side but this solidified my decision to test drive one this week, at the very least.

[@maxylau]

Did you end up getting it? If so, was it a good decision? Thanks

[@architecturehappy]

Thank you for sharing the actual trunk volume #’s !! I had no idea they differed so much, that will push me to the A5!

[@Fabs821]

Well I am not sure how he does its measurements but this is plain wrong. A4 is 480litre not 365 (my golf is 380litre) and A5 is not bigger if you measure up to the cover. Check any good website (uk will give you volume in litres)

[@lestrem11]

A design masterclass and future classic. The 3.0 litre diesel is a peach. Unbreakable in this guise.

[@mr.porkchop6377]

do you think the s5 is worth the premium over the a5? im seriously considering this car. btw glenmore audi is where i bought my q5

[@dawoudnazir]

The older 4.2 v8 s5 is always worth it. A beautiful engine

[@patricke8627]

So worth it. Got A4 for daily driver and gf q5, but nothing compares to s5 for daily locomotion. Swapped it for s5

[@Fishercan]

How is the comfort and insulation? Is it suitable for daily use?

[@lama6736]

Always enjoy your reviews Paul!

[@jocelynchouinard]

very nice car! I agree with you, there is a premium from the A4 and at this point, I would consider a Q5 which is still dynamic on the road and you get a towing capability of 4,400 lbs as opposed to the A5 which is probably 0 lb.

[@FamilyWheels]

Yep, I'm a big fan of the Q5, Joe. Thanks for watching!

[@shadesofvintageblue]

Finally found someone who is actually tall doing car reviews.

[@RoyalFizzbin]

Are you kidding me? Check out Everyday Driver’s Test Drive channel and also their podcast.

[@MelloHubb]

@@RoyalFizzbin there's also a guy who's channel is called tallcarguy reviews lol

[@ELP1125]

@@MelloHubb he’s pretty cringe tho.

[@DaveEllis]

Really enjoyed your review of the A5 Sportback.

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks for watching, Dave.

[@reMARKably_me]

in Singapore, this car costs CAD193,000 for basic spec. and you can only drive it for 10 years. Canadians should feel lucky.

[@FamilyWheels]

mark . m Whoa! That's wild.

[@danperson1]

Nice review, thanks for including the USA equivalent numbers and info

[@FamilyWheels]

You bet! Lots of viewers south of the border, too!

[@erics2939]

"Family Wheels / Paul" For your rear facing car seat test, what carseat did you use. I have a 1 year old and this has been my biggest concern about the purchase.

[@FamilyWheels]

It's a very middle-of-the-road Evenflo convertible number. It may be the EvenFlo SureRide DLX but don't quote me on that.

[@pcho8022]

Hi Paul, i'm about 6'1.5" and I sat in the A-5 at the Audi showroom a few months ago since I was debating getting this car, or the A-4. I felt my hair almost brushing against the roofline and I see that in this video, your hair appears to have less than 1 inch of headroom before hitting the roof too. Just warning others out there that I don't believe this car has enough headroom for taller folks. However, other people may have longer legs and shorter torsos so they may fit better than me. I also found it a big hard to get in and out of the A-5 as it is very low and you have to squat quite a bit when entering / exiting. In my experience, the A-4 has just a tad more headroom and felt more spacious - just a FYI for folks out there. I still haven't gotten my new car yet but seeing how good the fuel economy is on these premium cars, I am hoping to get a A-4 within the next year.

[@FamilyWheels]

That's interesting. Did you drop the seat down as far as it would go? I actually wore a cowboy hat in our tester earlier today... it is the Calgary Stampede right now, after all. And I still fit! Good point on the ride height but the payoff is a car that corners really nicely.

[@wiiori4618]

I agree. Tested it a few weeks ago. It was great but used to something bigger so undecided but drives lovely.

[@jacobthompson8507]

P Cho Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree. It took a while to get used to the headroom after coming from a Q5, to a S5 Sportback. Apart from that, I'm really happy with it.

[@Ficon]

Great review Paul! At 60k, I personally struggle with the idea of RS3 money for what is mechanically a 28k Golf GTI and I found the back seat unusable when the front was adjusted for a 6-foot driver. As you pointed out, this is a style over substance car through and through.

[@Fabs821]

Like I mentioned to a comments, your measurements are quite wrong. Check any UK website (in litre easier to compare) and the A4 is 480 litre not 380 and the A5 is not much bigger up to the cover (definitely not 625litre) Nice review though and pics of the trunk with stroller and luggages are very useful :)

[@pengxu8542]

cheapest A4 only comes with 190hp front wheel drive though, if you want the same drivetrain as the the A5, the price difference is $3k, not $8K

[@FamilyWheels]

Yep, you're totally right... it just would've been nice to see the Sportback's options and pricing lock step a bit more to coax people who are on the fence between the two into this car.

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

In my country to jump from an A4 190hp to A5 190hp u will need to top up USD 18K .... lol If the price diff was only 3k here... nobody would buy A4

[@pengxu8542]

sounds like the A4 is probably made in domestic, where as the A5 is imported

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

No la... cars here is very expensive.... an A5 190hp petrol cost USD$148000+ here.... think I can get a Ferrari or Maserati for this kind of money in other countries

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

John Tan Liar, what country u from. Bet ya can't answer this ?

[@howardsamuels9815]

Great review as always

[@alexkim7006]

Question: Based on the looks of it, this A5 is equipped with the S-line sport package with 19-inch tires. But, according to Audi USA's website, you can't pair those specific tires with the S-line for some reason.. Do you know if a potential buyer has to ask for those tires to be installed separately? I'm not a huge fan of the other tire options for the A5 but really want the S-line package...

[@FamilyWheels]

Options in the US might be different but I believe that combination is available in Canada, Alex.

[@alexkim7006]

Ah that's a shame. Thanks for letting me know!

[@michaelliu2530]

Another excellent review. Thank you for your attention to detail, including comparisons to other models, cargo space, engine options and of course, the rear facing child seat test.

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks! Glad you're digging the reviews.

[@ahoyskid]

Are you guys in Canada on klms too?

[@FamilyWheels]

Yep, all metric here. Well, unless your'e buying bananas :)

[@brianmorse8298]

The price differential for the base cars is deceiving. The A5 has more standard equipment. In the US at least, if you outfit an A4 to the same level as an A5 Sportback the differential is $3K USD not $8K. Well worth it to me. Interestingly, the difference between the A6 and A7 comparably equipment is $9K.

[@FamilyWheels]

For sure, Brian. You get way more car at the base A5 than the base A4. I just thought it would be cool to have the differential a bit closer to guide people into an A5 - which is a much more utilitarian and handsome looking car.

[@dwilson2126]

On my short list! Great review! Very balanced as always.

[@pminor90]

This car is awesome!

[@asiannascarfan]

Love your videos! I hope you get your hands on a Subaru Ascent soon...

[@FamilyWheels]

Me too! Stay tuned.

[@lpete531]

Awesome review 👍

[@1717jbs]

Always good! Thanks.

[@stevasteva2509]

How tall are you?

[@goran2009]

In Australia I’ve paid 65k for A5 Quattro 2.0l petrol. Aussies get ripped off every time!

[@FamilyWheels]

It's been happening to you for decades! Now with the AUD not going great has it got any worse?

[@goran2009]

Family Wheels unfortunately when it comes to European imports, they are really expensive and with closure of local auto industry, not much competition these days. Then, it does not help to have right hand drive either...

[@traviswolfe1491]

Great review. What is your preference between the A4, S4, A5, S5 based on family needs, practicality, etc?

[@FamilyWheels]

I would say for a families needs, the Sportback gives you the very best practicality. It's almost like a wagon - just without the extra height for tall items or a family dog. It's a great car!

[@AW-gj4ji]

I feel like the a4 body is better than a5 in term of vision and interior space. In the a5 you don’t see much from the rear window and less headroom.

[@kristena9285]

When I saw this gentleman outside that coupe, I thought he would not be able to wrap inside of it.. Only things Europe could offer him was a convertible or the popemobile I thougt... Then his dog! Canadians must have an extra joint in their legs..

[@Nowation]

Nice review. I can't imagine to have 2 child seats in the back and 2 adults sitting in the front comfortable. Therefore this car is not suitable even for "standard" 4 members family

[@UncleBuckle50]

You could do food reviews while reviewing the cars... A whole new shtick!.... Just pull over... No distracted eating charges.

[@BanBiofuels]

Your decibel ratings always comes out a lot lower than those recorded by Alex on Autos. I have no idea which meter is more accurate, his or yours. Just an observation. Good review. I don't want or care about all the bells and whistles, and I really don't understand the appeal. People must have money to throw away on fluff. Not me.

[@meugzy]

Christopher Calder Not the same roads maybe?

[@BanBiofuels]

:)

[@FamilyWheels]

I'll double check my equipment to make sure it's not on my end.

[@suvari225]

Wow Audi TT in Family Wheels... Roger will be upset :(

[@suvari225]

He will be very happy though when he becomes a teen and sees the TT in the garage :D

[@josephlim8941]

Still cheaper than BMW 4 Series Grand Coupe. Starts at $55,000 but is same starting price as 4 series sedan.

[@michalklucz6907]

Kia Stinger, still.

[@jonasmurdock2590]

So how much did glenmore Audi pay u?

[@cartmann227]

Jonas Murdock that is insulting 👎

[@FamilyWheels]

I don't get paid anything, Jonas. Audi Canada just doesn't send media cars to my city so I've had to develop a relationship with a local dealer.

[@swanblake]

Kia Stinger and it's RWD over this bland Audi. I don't see the benefit of paying more for a less dynamic drive. The touch points are extremely solid in the Audi. I think Stinger if you actually like driving and an A5 if you think you like driving but really don't understand anything about dynamics

[@wiiori4618]

Blake Swan hmm. I e test drive the A5 and came away impressed. I’ll have to check out the stinger. It does look nice but Kia is not know for luxury treatment when it comes to car maintenance privileges you get with others. Then some of their other cars have silly things you have to fix so early into ownership.

[@thebronerd]

Sounds like you're trying to justify your poor decision of buying a Kia lmao

[@StinkyGuff]

You buy a Kia if you hate driving..

[@Jack13853]

Because it’s a Kia, I don’t care if it had a V12 with 800bhp, it doesn’t matter, the Audi badge warrants the extra money because it’s more luxurious. Over here in Europe a Kia stinger will cost you around €60,000. For that kind of money I could get the Audi s5 which is just as fast and more desirable.

[@feto123feto123]

Lol in what universe is Kia even a contender against Audi?