Makes›Audi›A5›2021

2021 Audi A5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Audi A5
Pictured: Audi A5 B10 DSC 7314. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe, Sportback
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower
261 hp
Transmission
7-speed automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Seats
4–5
Fuel
Hybrid
MPG (best)
28 combined · 25 city / 34 hwy
Length
185–187.4 in
Curb weight
3,605–3,990 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Audi A5 is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 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 28 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 2% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.

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

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2021

  • New hybrid version

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 A5 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine261 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl
Engine261 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmission7-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating4–5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

quattro Premium Plus

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane centeringOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany · Neckarsulm, Germany · San José Chiapa, Mexico

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2021 A5 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible185 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,990 lb56/44
2dr Coupe185 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,605 lb56/44
Sportback187.4 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 Sportback quattro Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28+2%$2,950311
A5 quattro Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27+15%$3,050331
A5 Sportback S line quattro Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27-1%$3,050331
A5 Cabriolet quattro Hybrid2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26+11%$3,150341
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.4 MPG2021 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Audi A5.

Similar 2021 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Audi A5 (this car)28 MPGNot rated5
2021 BMW 3 Series30 MPG★★★★★0
2021 Lexus IS25 MPGNot rated0
2021 Audi A428 MPGNot rated4
2021 Tesla Model 3353 mi★★★★★22
2021 Audi A626 MPG★★★★★12
2021 Mercedes-Benz A-Class29 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (5)

Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Oct 5, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
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.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
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 2021 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

8Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
56,795 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel1
Air Bags1
Seats1
Power Train1
Engine1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/11: 123/06: 124/02: 125/06: 125/11: 125/12: 126/01: 126/09: 121/1123/0624/0225/0625/1125/1226/0126/09max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Audi A5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  4. Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 56,795 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 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
2020 A527183.9 inNot rated460
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 →