Makes›Audi›A5›2020

2020 Audi A5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Audi A5
Pictured: Audi A5 B10 DSC 7314. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe, Sportback
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
248 hp
Transmission
automatic, 7-speed automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Seats
4–5
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
27 combined · 24 city / 32 hwy
Length
183.9–186.6 in
Curb weight
3,605–3,990 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2020 subcompact car (22.9 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 248 hp, versus about 311 hp for similar 2020 models.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Audi A5 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,990 lb (2dr Convertible).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 32 highway), 18% better than the 2020 subcompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 A5 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 A5 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine248 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic · 7-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating4–5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

quattro Premium Plusquattro Premium

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Rear cross-traffic alertSome trims
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany · Neckarsulm, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 A5 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible183.9 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,990 lb56/44
2dr Coupe183.9 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,605 lb56/44
Sportback186.6 in72.4 in54.3 in111.4 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,704 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A5 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27+18%$3,050329
A5 Sportback quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 32 / 27-2%$3,050329
A5 Cabriolet quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26+14%$3,150337
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.9 MPG2020 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Audi A5.

Similar 2020 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Audi A5 (this car)27 MPGNot rated4
2020 BMW 3 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2020 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated0
2020 Audi A430 MPGNot rated3
2020 Tesla Model 3330 mi★★★★★21
2020 Audi A330 MPG★★★★★3
2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Tires · Jan 26, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights · Nov 25, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V737000 · 5,426 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare wheel well.
Risk
Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

60Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
67,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System41
Unknown Or Other25
Back Over Prevention › Warnings14
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking9
Seat Belts2
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection2
Air Bags1
Wheels1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/09: 122/01: 122/07: 123/01: 123/09: 123/12: 124/07: 124/08: 225/05: 1025/06: 1125/07: 2725/08: 225/10: 121/0922/0723/0924/0725/0525/0725/10max 27

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Audi A5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 41 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 14 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  4. Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 9 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi A5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A5 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 A526–Not rated00
2026 A526190.2 inNot rated01
2025 A529185 inNot rated29
2024 A530185 inNot rated08
2023 A528185 inNot rated08
2022 A529185 inNot rated27
2021 A528185 inNot rated58
2019 A527183.9 inNot rated312
2018 A527183.9 inNot rated638
2017 A526182.7 inNot rated32
2016 A526182.7 inNot rated37
2015 A526182.7 inNot rated39

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →