Audi A5 Sportback Road Test (2012)

The A5 Sportback’s level of refinement is pretty reasonable. There is a bit of diesel clatter initially, and this two-litre diesel is fairly vocal. If you go for the bigger three-litre diesel you are rewarded not only with even more vibrant performance but also a more muted silkiness to the engine note. From a comfort viewpoint this is a nicely appointed car with firmly supportive seats and pretty reasonable head and knee-room all round.

An alarm and immobiliser are standard. The car has the range of electronic braking aids you would expect of a model in this class, including brakeforce distribution, electronic differential lock, traction control and automatic brake drying. Cabin safety provision is pretty reasonable, with seatbelt pre-tensioners, Isofix child seat mounting points and an array of airbags.

Among the equipment that comes standard with this car is a good quality stereo, climate control, electric windows, an array of airbags, MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking sensors and a leather interior. Cruise control and satnav are extras. A Bang and Olufsen sound system is optional. With the extra kit is added, the price is elevated quite sharply, with the result that our test car’s final price tots up to almost £37,000. That makes the A5 Sportback rather expensive, but it also feels like quite a lot of car.

• Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI
• BMW 320d
• Volvo S60

• Svelte looks and hatchback practicality
• Choice of four or five seats
• Strong performance
• High class cabin
• Premium quality

• Ride a touch too firm for some tastes
• Quite expensive
• Having to pay extra for the fifth seat

• Five seats as standard rather than the fifth one as a pay-extra option

Good looks and strong performance make the A5 Sportback an appealing car. In this latest model it has undergone subtle and worthwhile improvement. It has up-market looks and a premium calibre cabin. Now that it is available as a five-seater it has become a much more practical proposition for a family driver, while retaining the cachet of sporty-looking styling.