Following the arrival of the new Audi A5 in Coupe form towards the end of 2016, the more practical Sportback derivative is now ready to introduce its second-generation model. When the Cabriolet arrives during March, the full family for the new Audi A5 will be complete.

We’ve already reviewed the new A5 Coupe on UK roads before, so what is there to know about the Sportback? Well, one major design difference are the two extra doors on the Sportback, making access to the rear seats much easier. The wheelbase is also a little longer too, and the car has a changed roofline, giving the rear more of a hatchback-vibe to its design. Rivals for the A5 Sportback include the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, as well as saloons like the Mercedes C-Class.

Whether you go for the Coupe or Sportback version, the second-generation A5 doesn’t look massively different to its predecessor. But there is in fact some significant updates to the Audi’s construction and internal components which make the car much lighter (up to 85kg lighter than before), more efficient and more practical.

Performance

We tested the A5 Sportback with its entry-level engine option, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel unit that produces 187bhp. There are two versions of this engine, one of which is a slightly more frugal variant called TDI Ultra. A six-speed manual gearbox or seven speed S tronic automatic ‘box is available, as is Quattro four-wheel drive in place of standard rear-wheel drive.

The 0-62mph sprint for the A5 Sportback with its 2.0-litre diesel is 7.9 seconds and there’s maximum torque of 400Nm, which happily arrives low down in the rev range. Power delivery feels smooth and gear changes from the S tronic gearbox feel seamless virtually all the time.

While there are more powerful engines available for the A5 Sportback - including a 215bhp 3.0-litre diesel and 248bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit - the 187bhp diesel is no slouch and feels more than sufficient for negotiating towns or motorway roads with little effort needed.

Ride and Handling

Steering is precise and also light and easy-going. Some drivers may be disappointed how light it is though even if you select the heavier ‘Dynamic’ setting among the driving mode selector.

The Audi A5 Sportback delivers a very quiet and composed driving experience, especially on the smaller 17-inch wheels used for the SE and Sport trim models. Steering is precise and also light and easy-going. Some drivers may be disappointed how light it is though, even if you select the heavier ‘Dynamic’ setting among the driving mode selector. Because of this, some may be swayed to other premium coupes with more weighted steering. The A5 Sportback also feels firmer on poorer-quality roads compared to some of its rivals. But even if you opt without the Quattro powertrain there’s a decent amount of grip, giving you confidence when tackling corners.

Interior and Equipment

The platform the latest Audi A5 uses is shared with over half a dozen cars, including other Audis like the A4 and Q5, plus the Porsche Macan.

The A5 Coupe already had plenty of room up front, but the rear seats always took some effort to access. If this is something that bothers you, then the extra seats on the Sportback will prove a welcome addition. On the downside though, as is the case with the Coupe, the A5’s rear seats aren’t the most spacious for head and legroom and six-foot-plus adults will feel somewhat cramped. It’s hard to fault the quality of the cabin though, as you’ll find a lot of smart-looking, soft-touch materials around and the centre console displays and switches look and feel well made. Boot space is also decent at 480 litres as standard, which equals the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and 3 Series saloon. Our test car came in the Sport trim, which sits between SE and S Line. The standard kit list is decent featuring three-zone climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a seven-inch colour screen in the centre console with Audi’s Smartphone Interface. Additions for the Sport trim include sat-nav with SD card support and electrically adjustable front sport seats which feel well made and comfortable.

Cost

The 2.0-litre TDI diesel is the clear engine choice for those prioritising running costs and it performs competitively compared to other premium coupes.

The A5 Sportback starts from just over £33,000, making it nearly two grand more than the Coupe version. The Sport trim model with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel starts from around £35,000. This sort of pricing isn’t a stand out feature, but it’s very close to mid or high trim level versions of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. The 2.0-litre TDI diesel is the clear engine choice for those prioritising running costs and it performs competitively compared to other premium coupes. It officially records between 64.2 and 67.3mpg combined and CO2 emissions are between 111g and 118g/km depending on specification and gearbox choice. The best figures are achieved when going for the Ultra version of the diesel and the S tronic gearbox. As with most German premium cars on the market, there are quite a lot of optional packs for the A5 range, but choose wisely as they can ramp up the cost of the car easily.

Our Verdict

The changes for the second-generation A5 Sportback, including a more practical cabin and greater efficiency, are very welcome and help make this Audi an all-round competent premium coupe choice. If you are concerned about the A5 Coupe’s limited rear practicality, then the Sportback’s extra doors are handy but the space at the back may not be quite as much as you’d hoped. Also, some coupe buyers may desire more weighted steering, luring them to BMW and Mercedes alternatives in the process. There’s still a lot to like about the drive and cabin though, so if you’re just after a relaxing and sophisticated driving experience, the A5 Sportback is hard to fault. The 2.0-litre diesel in Ultra guise is also a very solid choice for company car users and anyone particularly conscious of efficiency and costs.