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| 2014 Audi A5 Review, Specs, Price, Pictures |
The 2014 Audi A5 gets a slight bump up in horsepower. New standard features like Bluetooth have been added and keyless ignition/entry is now standard on the Premium Plus trim. Also, an optional Black Optic appearance package debuts.
Now, the 2014 Audi A5 comes with a turbocharged four cylinder engine that some reviewers wish had stronger acceleration. The A5 Coupe comes with a six-speed manual transmission, while the A5 Cabriolet comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that test drivers say isn’t as responsive as they would like. However, an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional, and critics write that it shifts quickly and smoothly. The EPA reports that the base A5 Coupe gets 22/32 mpg city/highway, which is good for the class. Reviewers say the A5 has a comfortable ride and decent cornering ability, as well as accurate steering and strong brakes.
The 2014 Audi A5 seats four and is available in Coupe and Cabriolet body styles. The 2014 A5 is available in several trims, ranging from the base A5 Premium Coupe, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder engine, all wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, to the top of the-line Audi RS5 Cabriolet, with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, all wheel drive and a seven-speed automated manual transmission. Although it has received updates over the years, the Audi A5 has not been fully redesigned since its debut for the 2008 model year. As a result, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from the 2008 through 2014 model years.
The 2014 Audi A5 is in many ways an ideal luxury coupe, and it has the goods to please a wide range of buyers in this segment. With competition like the BMW 4 Series, Infiniti Q60 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, this Audi isnt exactly going up against lightweights. Still, it stands out even among this distinguished lineup by offering a thoughtfully calibrated blend of luxury and athleticism.
Price
2014 Audi A5 Starting MSRP : $39,000 - $77,900
Specs
The base A5 Premium trim level comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof (coupe), automatic lights and wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats with four-way driver lumbar support, split-folding rear seats, a dash-mounted MMI electronics interface controller, a 6.5-inch display, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and an iPod interface. The Cabriolet adds a power-operated convertible top and a wind deflector. To this you can add the Lighting package, which includes xenon headlights and LED running lights and taillights.
Opting for the Premium Plus package gets you all the Premium trims standard equipment and the features in the Lighting package, along with keyless ignition/entry, auto-dimming and heated mirrors, heated front seats and driver-seat memory functions. To that, you can add the optional MMI Navigation Plus package, which includes front and rear parking sensors; a navigation system; Bluetooth audio connectivity; an upgraded, console-mounted MMI interface; a slightly larger 7-inch display; a rearview camera; HD radio and Audi Connect (enhanced Web-based navigation, information and WiFi hot spot).
Those who choose the 2014 Audi A5 convertible will certainly appreciate the expediency of the power operated soft tops operation: It requires only about 15 seconds to raise or lower. With the tight-fitting, multilayer top in place, the interior is so well insulated from noise and weather that you may forget youre driving a convertible. Even better, the al fresco driving experience doesnt come at the expense of trunk space. Thanks to the use of a fabric top instead of a more elaborate hardtop, the trunk can still accommodate 10.2 cubic feet of cargo when the top is folded down, only 2 cubes less than the coupe. Both body styles feature folding rear seats for added convenience.
Performance
Powering the 2014 Audi A5 is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that produces 220 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque. Coupe models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and all wheel drive. A5 Cabriolets come standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. All wheel drive is available as an option on the Cabriolet and it comes paired with an eight speed automatic transmission, which is also offered for all heel drive coupes.
Truth be told, wed really pass the A5 entirely for the S5 coupe and cabriolet, their 333-hp supercharged V-6, and their choice of manual six-speed or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. A sport suspension, better brakes and bigger wheels and tires give it tauter handling with less understeer than the basic A5; Drive Select and Dynamic Steering are on the menu as well. The champion of the lineup is undoubtedly the RS 5, available this year either as a coupe or as a cabriolet. Its 4.2-liter V-8 has 450 ripe-sounding horsepower, its dual-clutch transmission is effortlessly quick to shift, and its available sport differential turns it into a rival for the likes of the C63 AMG, M3, and CTS-V.
