2020 Audi A5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

- 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
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible | 183.9 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,990 lb | 56/44 |
| 2dr Coupe | 183.9 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,605 lb | 56/44 |
| Sportback | 186.6 in | 72.4 in | 54.3 in | 111.4 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,704 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +18% | $3,050 | 329 |
| A5 Sportback quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | -2% | $3,050 | 329 |
| A5 Cabriolet quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 31 / 26 | +14% | $3,150 | 337 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi A5 (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2020 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Audi A4 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 330 mi | ★★★★★ | 21 |
| 2020 Audi A3 | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2020 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Audi A5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 41 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 14 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 9 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A5 | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 A5 | 26 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 A5 | 29 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2024 A5 | 30 | 185 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 A5 | 28 | 185 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 A5 | 29 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2021 A5 | 28 | 185 in | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2019 A5 | 27 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 12 |
| 2018 A5 | 27 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 38 |
| 2017 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →